Romans 4:13-17
I am not sure about you, but going through Romans piece by piece like this has really helped me see Paul’s argument much more clearly. This is the beauty of Scripture and the revelation brought by the Holy Spirit—our understanding of certain truths continues to grow deeper and fuller.
As I have mentioned before, I have struggled with somewhat of a “works theology,” probably developed, at least in part, from reading the Old Testament, or Old Covenant, early on in my walk with the Lord. But Christ’s sacrificial work on the Cross ushered in the New Covenant, and we are saved by grace through faith. So now, when I read the Old Testament, I do so in light of what the New Testament reveals.
Yet what Paul is showing us here is that it has always been about faith.
God’s promise to Abraham was not based on his obedience to God’s Law, but rather on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. And that faith, in turn, produces obedience. If we truly love Him, we will keep His commandments. Obedience is not the means by which we earn a right relationship with God; it is the fruit that grows out of that relationship.
“So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift.”
A gift cannot be earned—it is something freely given. If it can be earned, then it is not a gift; it is a wage.
It is so important that we understand this, lest we fall into a “works” theology and begin trying to earn from God what He has already offered us freely through faith.
Abraham believed God, and it was counted as righteousness to him. And what did Abraham believe? He believed in “the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.”
What a powerful truth to meditate on when circumstances look desperate or impossible. Abraham was looking at a situation that, naturally speaking, could not happen. Yet his faith was not based on what he could see or what he could accomplish. His faith rested in what God was able to do.
And so should ours.
The same God Abraham trusted is the God we trust today—the God who brings life where there appears to be death and creates something where there appears to be nothing. Our responsibility is not to figure out how God will fulfill His promises. Our responsibility is to believe Him.
Nothing is impossible with God.
As I have mentioned before, I have struggled with somewhat of a “works theology,” probably developed, at least in part, from reading the Old Testament, or Old Covenant, early on in my walk with the Lord. But Christ’s sacrificial work on the Cross ushered in the New Covenant, and we are saved by grace through faith. So now, when I read the Old Testament, I do so in light of what the New Testament reveals.
Yet what Paul is showing us here is that it has always been about faith.
God’s promise to Abraham was not based on his obedience to God’s Law, but rather on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. And that faith, in turn, produces obedience. If we truly love Him, we will keep His commandments. Obedience is not the means by which we earn a right relationship with God; it is the fruit that grows out of that relationship.
“So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift.”
A gift cannot be earned—it is something freely given. If it can be earned, then it is not a gift; it is a wage.
It is so important that we understand this, lest we fall into a “works” theology and begin trying to earn from God what He has already offered us freely through faith.
Abraham believed God, and it was counted as righteousness to him. And what did Abraham believe? He believed in “the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.”
What a powerful truth to meditate on when circumstances look desperate or impossible. Abraham was looking at a situation that, naturally speaking, could not happen. Yet his faith was not based on what he could see or what he could accomplish. His faith rested in what God was able to do.
And so should ours.
The same God Abraham trusted is the God we trust today—the God who brings life where there appears to be death and creates something where there appears to be nothing. Our responsibility is not to figure out how God will fulfill His promises. Our responsibility is to believe Him.
Nothing is impossible with God.
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