The Primary Text · Romans 4:13–25

For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Three Aspects of Fully Convinced Faith

Application

1. 01The promise depends on what God can do for us, not on what we can do for God. It depends on faith and rests on grace.
2. 02There is always hope with God. The same God who raised Jesus from the dead and created the world has the power to forgive, redeem, heal, and restore you.
3. 03Be careful about asking too many “how” questions. They are a way of using our limited human reason and perspective to question God’s promises.
4. 04If you want to give God glory, believe what he’s said. If you want to grow strong in your faith, don’t let your circumstances make you waver in unbelief.
5. 05Cling to God’s promises. If you are in the middle of a health crisis, or struggling to find victory over sin, don’t lose hope. He is faithful and just to forgive.
6. 06Keep your eyes fixed solely on God the Father and on Jesus our Lord. By faith, receive this grace today.