Our salvation (Paul uses the term justification) is by faith alone. But it is only possible because we have a faithful God - what He promises, He will deliver. Because of that, we can trust Him. Abraham understands God is a faithful God so his faith surpasses his reasoning and his environment (Ro 4:18-21). Abraham’s faith is based on God’s promise and his subjective feeling. And we can have the same certainty if our faith is based on God’s promise and who God is.
Mike
Paul first uses Ro 4:1-15 to tell us what faith is not. Then in Ro 4:16-25 he tells what faith is. Faith is not credited to Abraham by his work (Ro. 4:1-8), by his circumcision (Ro. 4:9-15), or by the law (Ro. 4:13-15). Therefore we should not boast (Ro. 4:2). Faith is the fact that sustains Abraham when he hopes in God against all hope (Ro. 4:18). The fact that Jesus is resurrected from the dead is parallel to the fact that Abraham has a son when he is 100 years old. In other words, it is unbelievable in human term. This corrects my thinking about witnessing for Christ. We should not tell the unsaved friend that resurrection or incarnation are not so impossible. They are. However, Abraham believes because the promise of God because he believes in God! That should be also our approach when we witness.
Audrey
Mike
Paul first uses Ro 4:1-15 to tell us what faith is not. Then in Ro 4:16-25 he tells what faith is. Faith is not credited to Abraham by his work (Ro. 4:1-8), by his circumcision (Ro. 4:9-15), or by the law (Ro. 4:13-15). Therefore we should not boast (Ro. 4:2). Faith is the fact that sustains Abraham when he hopes in God against all hope (Ro. 4:18). The fact that Jesus is resurrected from the dead is parallel to the fact that Abraham has a son when he is 100 years old. In other words, it is unbelievable in human term. This corrects my thinking about witnessing for Christ. We should not tell the unsaved friend that resurrection or incarnation are not so impossible. They are. However, Abraham believes because the promise of God because he believes in God! That should be also our approach when we witness.
Audrey
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