“For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (v.3)
Here in Romans 4, five times Abraham is called the father of all who believe, and his faith is acclaimed ten times. What makes his faith so exemplary? God called Abram to leave his homeland, friends, and family and move to a foreign land. He promised to bless Abram's posterity and honor him among nations (Genesis 12:1-3). At age 75 we can only imagine receiving this call upon our lives! But without hesitation, “Abram left, as the Lord had told him” (Gen.12:4).
Today's chapter also draws attention to the quality and motivation of his faith. It paints a picture of persistent, and ever-growing unbendable trust in God's power to fulfill His promises (vv.18-21). The character of God, on which Abraham waged his whole life, was specifically His creative, life-giving power. Abraham was, “fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (v. 21). Therefore, “it was credited to him as righteousness” (v.22).
May God give us all half of the faith of Abraham.
The Truth: “Therefore from one man (Abraham), and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude – innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore” - Hebrews 11:12. (because Abraham believed)
Here in Romans 4, five times Abraham is called the father of all who believe, and his faith is acclaimed ten times. What makes his faith so exemplary? God called Abram to leave his homeland, friends, and family and move to a foreign land. He promised to bless Abram's posterity and honor him among nations (Genesis 12:1-3). At age 75 we can only imagine receiving this call upon our lives! But without hesitation, “Abram left, as the Lord had told him” (Gen.12:4).
Today's chapter also draws attention to the quality and motivation of his faith. It paints a picture of persistent, and ever-growing unbendable trust in God's power to fulfill His promises (vv.18-21). The character of God, on which Abraham waged his whole life, was specifically His creative, life-giving power. Abraham was, “fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (v. 21). Therefore, “it was credited to him as righteousness” (v.22).
May God give us all half of the faith of Abraham.
The Truth: “Therefore from one man (Abraham), and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude – innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore” - Hebrews 11:12. (because Abraham believed)
