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Scripture : Romans 4:13-25
It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Devotional : Law and Faith
By Pastor Janice Busboom
One of the most difficult things to understand as a child was the number of "rules" I had to abide by. At times, the rules didn't make sense to me. For example, why did I have to eat my vegetables? Why couldn't I stay up later? Why did I have to pick up my toys? As I continued to grow, my understanding increased about some things and by the time I was a parent, my understanding had increased to where I developed my own set of "rules" that my own children abided by......well, most of the time.
When I think about why it was easy or hard to obey my parents, I realize it was mostly easier because I believed in the love they had for me. I knew they would comfort me when I was sick, they would take me to places to have fun, they would provide for me with generosity and time. Not that it was easy all the time because I didn't always want to follow the rules. This is the balance between the law and faith. The law makes me aware of my own sin, but faith allows me to enter into a relationship with God.
The law makes me aware of my own sin, but faith allows me to enter into a relationship with God.
Although at times, we may be discouraged by the circumstances of our lives, let us believe in the promises of God for us, with salvation at the forefront. Abraham believed God when he had nothing to base the belief on except the promise of God. Although Abraham lived in a time where the nation followed a devout set of rules, Abraham put confidence in the promise (not the rules) because of the One who gave it. He was justified by his faith just because he believed and that alone. We also, will be credited with righteousness, if we just believe.
Question to Consider
What has God promised you that you are believing Him for? What circumstances are involved that make it difficult for you to believe?
Prayer
Lord, I pray You would help me to increase my faith. I pray that out of my relationship with You, I would see the promises You have given me and I would believe You for those promises. Let not my heart waver with the distractions that want to consume me or the circumstances that seem impossible. Keep my eyes focused on who You are and Your love for me that one day I, too may be credited with righteousness by faith. In Jesus' name, Amen!
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