Romans 4:13-25
What do we understand by faithfulness? The vine dictionary says it is “strict performance of promises, vows or covenants; constancy in affection – as the faithfulness of a spouse. In 2 Timothy 2:13 – we read about the steadfast and the constancy of God. Matthew 24:35 | Isaiah 55:10-11 reminds us of the unchangeability of our God that He keeps His word.
In the lead story, the promise can only be a reality through unwavering belief hinged on every word of God. From the passage read, we can deduce that we can experience God’s faithfulness through total belief in God’s word i.e. “His promise”. Abraham was justified by believing God’s promise for God’s law through Moses had not yet been given. Abraham was positioned for or received or became aware of God’s promise through the grace of God bestowed on him because he had a belief in God. It can easily be deduced that no one can work for the promise of God, but it comes by grace through faith – Ephesians 2:5-8.
God saves and justifies the ungodly because of their belief in His gracious promise not because of any act of righteousness they have performed. The law of God was introduced not to save men, but to show men that they need to be saved – Romans 4:15.
This revelation that Abraham was justified by grace through faith and not by law substantiates the fact that salvation is for all men – Galatians 2:16. By this, Abraham became the father of all believers both Jews and Gentiles who would put their faith in God through the Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 4:16 | Galatians 3:7 | Galatians 3:29. There is a need to rejoice that salvation has appeared to all men – Titus 2:11-14. Abraham becoming the father of us all who has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is a fulfilment of God’s word i.e. “His promise” spoken to Abraham – Genesis 17:5.
In this passage, the power of resurrection quickened Abraham’s body and that of his wife, in that their dead and unreproductive bodies came alive and was fruitful – Romans 4:17. It is still unthinkable that Abraham and Sarah in their ninety nineth and eighty nineth year respectively were able to give birth to a child. This is the faithfulness of God because of Abraham’s belief, God’s grace and His resurrection power. There is also a lesson to learn here that the sinner or the lost cannot be saved until he or she is dead to their senses. We can all constantly experience and enjoy the faithfulness of God through an unwavering faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Discussion:
- What is your understanding of the law, grace and faith? What do you understand the righteousness of faith to be – what does this say about our belief in God’s word?
- Doubt is anti-belief that has stopped many from experiencing God’s faithfulness and receiving God’s promises. What can we learn from James 1:5-7? How have you been able to deal with doubt?
- If a believer is not baptised, is not circumcised, does not pay tithes/offering, do they really believe?
- Salvation is a free gift for all men who will put their faith in Jesus Christ, why do you think some people are unwelcoming to the truth? What can our fellowship or church do to help people like this?
- Abraham did not allow his faith to wane, he held on to the promise of God. What can we do, if it seems the promise is delayed?
Prayer.
