Romans 4 Part II

Romans 4 may end up being several parts, for I am discovering more deeply, just how important it is to understand what God says about Abraham:  "...who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had..." (Verse 12)  Bear with me please and do join with me, as we "milk" this chapter for all it means.

In the section of Romans 4 (and remember it was a long letter Paul wrote), "faith," and "believe" are mentioned about 13 times.   Abraham is the father of "the faith."  Yes, so what does this mean?

Remember in the former chapter, it is written to let God be true and every man a liar.  This should ALWAYS be our theme.  For as we continue in Romans, God has called people to believe Him.

When He told Abraham he would have a son, Abraham had a choice - to either look at his body now dead (in his ability to bear one on his own) OR believe God's promise.  We have a choice too.

"He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God."   Verse 20 

If I had been taught the faith when I was young, there is a strong possibility I would not have struggled so in my earlier Christian experience.  Well I am pretty sure of it.  For when I "see" the reality of God's Word and hang my heart on it, tears of joy stream down my face, as God continues to reveal Jesus Christ to my heart.

There is no doubt that I want to see more fruit in my life and experience - even in my works.   But I know now that it does not come by my own efforts, but through looking at the Son of God dwelling in my heart, trusting in Him to "make me what He wants," and not the expectation of man or myself, once upon a time placed on my life.  Listen to the precious words of Hebrews 13:20: 

"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, that great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in HIS sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever."  Looking at Jesus does not produce BAD, but GOOD! 

God knows if we have a sincere faith or not.  He knows when people talk about faith and turn it into something else other than the Truth.  That is even mentioned in the Scriptures.

But a true faith, according to God's great Word will truly bring forth true results.  And one of the great things that begins in the heart of His people is "life, joy, and peace." 

"Now may the God of hope FILL you with ALL joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:13 

The fruit of our lives is coming by the promise through faith - not the works of the law through human flesh.  This will be expounded more in depth by Paul, later on in his letter.

Paul not only talks about this in his letter to those at Rome, but it is in Galatians and other epistles as well.  Without this precious premise that we are to stand on, are to be rooted in, grow in, live by faith in, we will not truly experience the great reality of Christ dwelling in our hearts.   People can "fake" it  outwardly - but that is not God's plan or way.  There is a real life of Jesus within our hearts to know and experience.

Many of us have these stories in our lives.

Later, Paul will underscore that trials are not dictating who we are.  We all have trials, even temptations.  This is NOT determining WHO we are.  We are WHO we are through faith alone in God's Son, His Word, and all His work.

I used to think I was measured by God in how well I performed. Yet this is an endless trap, because I never thought I performed "good enough!"  And get this:  Some think they do perform pretty well or better compared to others.  But are they looking at themselves as having done this by works of the law OR by having learned the life of faith in God's Son?

God continues to teach my heart that I must first believe in WHO God made me to be in His Son, trusting in Him at all times, and then I perform in His measure - not mine!  Actually, I really started performing better, when I started believing God.  :)  God does not call us to compare ourselves among ourselves - we are to build one another up in the faith of Christ! 

And we grow in this.  We grow in grace and the knowledge of Jesus.  We grow in His life born within our spirits - it truly is miraculous - just like Abraham!

This is NOT a cop out to walk like the Gentiles.  God's way of faith is truly real.  And we are called to exercise our faith!  In prayer we are to declare to our Father for Him to bring forth His Son in our lives!  So God's faith is not passive but certainly active.    The fruit of God's Spirit is promised by Him to be made evident in and through us as we continue to BELIEVE HIM!  Did Abraham finally have a son?  Yes!

So, if you feel like a "scumbag," (that's what I felt like), or you feel like you are doing pretty good in your efforts (Paul did), neither one are accepting the gift of God in His Son.  Both need to believe the same Person and find the outcome of their faith in Him.  And both will have rejoicing in Him alone.

Again, Abraham bore a son through faith by God's promise.  He did not have faith on his own either - God was first - God initiated the promise and then Abraham believed God.

So with all of us.  God has initiated His own way of salvation - God has initiated being right with Him through Christ Jesus, the Righteous One and all that comes by Him and through Him.

So what is there to do but BELIEVE God?  By believing God, we will see more evidence of His Son in and through us.  As Abraham, we do not "waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but are strengthened in faith, giving glory to God."  Romans 4:20 

Until next time,

Sue Gaither