Written by: Shirley Evans
Reading: Romans 4:13-25
13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”[b] 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Paul’s discussion here is that we cannot be saved by the law, whether it is Old Testament law or the moral standards of the Gentiles. If we try to justify ourselves by law, we find faith has no value, God’s promises are worthless and it will bring God’s wrath.
Abraham’s faith was not in the law (which didn’t exist in Abraham’s time, although that’s not Paul’s argument), but instead his faith was in God’s promise – a land given to him and his descendents, blessings on his heirs and a Redeemer to come. The promise comes through faith, by grace, not by law – and by believing in the impossible, Abraham is credited with righteousness and declared faithful.
Abraham’s faith was grounded in Christ, the “seed” to come through his progeny that would be the promised Messiah. Our faith and hope too is grounded in Christ and in the grace of God – not in good works or the law.
Dear Lord, let Abraham be an example to me of one of God’s faithful. Let my works become God’s work in Jesus Christ as I trust in the promise of salvation by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Amen
Reading: Romans 4:13-25
13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”[b] 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Paul’s discussion here is that we cannot be saved by the law, whether it is Old Testament law or the moral standards of the Gentiles. If we try to justify ourselves by law, we find faith has no value, God’s promises are worthless and it will bring God’s wrath.
Abraham’s faith was not in the law (which didn’t exist in Abraham’s time, although that’s not Paul’s argument), but instead his faith was in God’s promise – a land given to him and his descendents, blessings on his heirs and a Redeemer to come. The promise comes through faith, by grace, not by law – and by believing in the impossible, Abraham is credited with righteousness and declared faithful.
Abraham’s faith was grounded in Christ, the “seed” to come through his progeny that would be the promised Messiah. Our faith and hope too is grounded in Christ and in the grace of God – not in good works or the law.
Dear Lord, let Abraham be an example to me of one of God’s faithful. Let my works become God’s work in Jesus Christ as I trust in the promise of salvation by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. Amen
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