Romans 4: 13-17
It was not through 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 live by the law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless, because 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 are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of all of us. 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 things that are not as though they were.
A Thought
God who is holy and the Creator of all things, desires to bring mankind back in a right relationship with him. The disobedience in the Garden of Eden had seperated man from God. Before the law of God no one knew what it was to transgress. Therefore, the law was given to begin the process of restoring holiness back to all mankind beginning with Israel. God gave commandments to be obeyed in order to receive God’s blessings or either wrath for their disobedience. Here, God made a promise to Abraham in his old age that he and his offspring would be the rule over many nations. This promise could only come by righteousness that comes with faith. It was because Abraham believed God that it was counted unto him as righteousness that Abraham was able to receive the grace that guaranteed God’s promise to Him and to his offspring.
Our Prayer
Father praise your holy name for your continued mercy shown to all mankind. Thank you for your measure of faith that you have given to all. Help us to increase our faith in obedience to your word that we may receive the righteousness of Christ. In his name we ask, amen.
