ABRAHAM'S FAITH IS AN EXAMPLE

READ ROMANS 4:13-25

This morning the faith of Abraham is esteemed and becomes our example also.

Romans 4:20-22 "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness."

The word translated as "staggered" has the basic sense of ‘doubt.’ Abraham did not doubt “...the promise of God through unbelief.” Rather, “...he was strong in faith, giving glory to God.” It is worth noting that when Abraham took God at His word, simply trusting Him, he glorified God. Taking God at His Word, to this day, brings glory to Him.  Additionally, Abraham was fully persuaded that, what God had promised, He would perform. There is nothing complicated about it. Faith is taking God at His Word. It is simply trusting what He has said. As Abraham trusted what God said, his faith was “imputed to him for righteousness.” In God’s ledger, Abraham’s faith in Him was entered as the righteousness of God. In God’s mind, trusting Him equals righteousness. When Abraham trusted Him, God imputed, or recorded, or accounted, or determined him to be righteous. As far as God was concerned, the simple fact that Abraham trusted Him was the same as if he were altogether righteous. In God’s mind, Abraham’s faith became synonymous with righteousness.

Romans 4:23-25 "Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."

Paul now makes a final application. The record of Abraham’s imputed justification “...was not written for his sake alone.” The promise is also for us “to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead.” If we today in simple faith will trust God who raised Jesus, we too will be justified. The principle is the same as it was for Abraham.  Notice how the Apostle described our Lord. He “...was delivered up for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”  Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He became sin for us who knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). His resurrection completed His redemptive work thus making possible our justification. The overall truth of Romans 4 is that all are justified by faith in the God of Abraham and Jesus.

Have you embraced this simple truth for yourself, and if so, are you sharing it with others who need to know?

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  Have you ever been influenced to doubt God?  How does the word stagger fit your situation?

2.  How does faith in God bring glory to God?

3.  What does the word “imputed” mean in Romans 4:22?

4.  What are the characteristics of your faith that liken it to Abraham’s faith?