How was Abraham saved (1–4, 9–12)? Not by works, but by faith (Gen. 15:6). Salvation is not like wages that you earn or works that you can boast about. Abraham was not saved by keeping the law because the law had not been given, nor was he saved by obeying a religious ritual. It was all by God’s grace!
How was David saved (5–8)? David wrote Psalm 32 after his great sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11). Can God forgive a man who commits adultery, deceit, and murder? Yes! When David repented and turned to God, he was forgiven, even though the Lord allowed David to feel the bitter consequences of his sins (2 Sam. 12). God justifies the ungodly, not the righteous (v. 5; Matt. 9:9–13).
How can you be saved (13–25)? Simply by believing God’s promise as Abraham did. Faith and promise go together just as law and works go together. Abraham is the father of the Jewish nation physically, but he is the “father” of all believers spiritually (v. 16; Matt. 3:7–9). At Calvary, our sins were put on Christ’s account; when you trust Christ, God puts Christ’s righteousness on your account (2 Cor. 5:21). What can be more blessed than to know that your sins are forgiven?
Our Sins Are Covered
Because he preached salvation by grace alone, Paul was accused of promoting sin (Rom. 3:5–8), but the accusation was false. Persons who experience the grace of God in forgiveness have no desire to sin; and if they do sin, they confess it to the Lord (1 John 1:5–2:1). They are tempted (1 Cor. 10:13), and sometimes they fall; but they do not stay down (Ps. 37:23–24). Read all of Psalm 32 to see what God does for His own.
