Lesson 4723

 (Lesson 4723) (01-09-25) Romans 4:14-22 

   “For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.” 

 

 In today’s quote, Paul explained that if righteousness came through the law, then faith would be meaningless, and the promise to Abraham would have had no value. However, because the promise was given by faith, it is certain for all of Abraham's descendants, both Jews and Gentiles. Paul stressed that Abraham's faith was not weakened by the fact that he and Sarah were old and childless; instead, he believed God's promise that he would become the father of many nations. Despite the seeming odds against him, Abraham did not waver in his faith, but grew stronger, fully convinced that God could, and would, do what He promised. Because of his unwavering faith, God credited righteousness to him. Paul emphasized that this same righteousness is credited to all who believe in Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead for our justification. ~