“Roman 4:13-25”

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

“For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation. For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, (as it is written, ‘A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU’) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, ‘SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.’ Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”

--- End of Scripture verses ---

God made a promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the sand on the seashore (Genesis 22:17), and that he would be a blessing to all the families of the earth. God made this promise (actually 3 promises—Genesis 12:1-3) to Abraham several years before He commanded him to be circumcised, and several hundred years before He delivered the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. So, in other words, these promises had nothing to do with the Law of Moses, or any other law as far as that is concerned.

God made these decrees through promise, and God always makes good on His promises. And Abraham received and believed the promises of God by faith. Those who are of faith, like “father” Abraham, are recipients of the promises of God. They are a part of Abraham’s prolific spiritual family that still increases to this day; and they partake in the spiritual blessings of Jesus, the seed of Abraham that blessed the whole world with His life, death, resurrection and ascension (verse 25).

Those who would “boast in the Law” (Romans 2:23) make an empty boast because law is impotent to produce the blessings that come through faith in Christ Jesus. As a matter of fact, “the Law brings about wrath” (verse 15), not blessings. Law consists of commands that must be obeyed, and punishment for those who refuse or neglect to obey them.

Laws are necessary. Laws are good. Law helps to provide structure and order and tranquility. But law cannot offer salvation, only punishment, because no one perfectly keeps law. Salvation is offered by God’s grace through the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son Jesus.

Make no mistake about it, we are still under God’s law today (Romans 8:2), and we are required to obey it to the best of our ability. Obeying God’s law is an integral part of a vibrant faith (Romans 1:5). But since we will not keep God’s law perfectly, we can only be saved by His grace. When we sin God provides forgiveness through our godly sorrow and repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9-11), and through His grace and Christ’s blood.

“God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist” (verse 18). This is one of the most comforting and emboldening verses in all the Bible for me. God called the universe and our world into existence from nothing. He spoke, and it was so. God told Abraham that He and his wife Sarah would have a son through whom he would be the father of many nations and through whom he would bless the world. God delivered on this promise even though Abraham was 100 years old and his wife was 90 years old. This leaves no room for doubt that these blessings did not and could not have come from human will and influence. This great miracle was delivered by the promise and power of God. God spoke, and it was done.

There is a good and logical reason that Abraham had such strong faith in God and firm conviction for His promises! We can and should trust God and submit our will to His. He has all the power, and precious and magnificent promises, and we can always count on Him, even when the world lets us down! God promises heaven to all who trust and obey Him (1 Peter 1:3-5). Believe it! Count on it! He spoke, it is done!

Please read Romans 5:1-11 for tomorrow.

Blessings!!!

- Louie Taylor

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