Blog 4 - Promise's Through Faith

 

Promises Through Faith



Read:

  • Genesis 17v15-21 (For Context)
  • Romans 4

You know that everyone gets news that they never expected. I remember when I was 8 years old getting the news I would have a little brother. It was definitely the best news I have ever gotten that I will never forget. I remember it like it was yesterday sitting in the back seat of the car beside my older brother outside the doctors and mum turning around to give us the unexpected news. We both thought we were just going out for ice cream. Other people will receive good news like I did, and sometimes other people will get really sad news, like they found out a loved on passed away, you or someone you know has a terrible illness, or your parents are getting divorced. Whatever it is good or bad one thing Paul talks about in this passage is to have faith. We see from the last blog in Romans chapter 3 that faith is essential for our salvation. But its important to have faith when life takes an unexpected turn both good and bad.


In this passage Paul uses the example of God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 17. We see Abraham’s faith, but his initial reaction was to laugh and when you read the context at why he laughs (v17) you could understand that it would be hard to believe. Imagine being 100 years old, have a wife, that’s 90 years old and is barren (unable to have children) and then being told that you will have a child, and that child will be the start to a whole nation. I think everyone would find that hard to believe, but ultimately Abraham did have faith that God will deliver on his promise and that’s what we can learn from Abraham, is the faith he showed. He didn’t have any evidence of God fulfilling his promises. He didn’t see any prophet before him talk about God’s promises to them, he didn’t have a Bible where he could see God’s character. Despite all this he had full faith that God will give him a son and make him a nation.

Now looking to Romans chapter 4. In the book of Romans, Paul is writing to the Jews living in the time of the Roman Empire. Paul is reminding them where they came from and how God’s people descended from. But not only did Abraham show his faith by simply trusting in God but also did through his obedience and his actions. (v13-15) But mainly through Abraham’s faith in verse 16 and 17 we can use Abraham’s faith as an example as to how we should have faith in God’s grace for our lives.

We look at our lives and we can see the journey that has taken us so far and you feel like God’s called you somewhere, but you may not see how to get there. Maybe it’s a university course or a particular job and you’re not quite sure your capable of it. We see Paul shows us that it was the same with Abraham. No matter how unlikely it seemed with Sarah being barren and their old age Abraham was still strong in his faith. (v19-21) His faith remained strong and God gave Abraham the strength to raise his son. But also, God picked Abraham because he knew Abraham was capable to be a father of many nations. He knew he was up for the task because of his faith in God. We see in verse 21 Paul says, “being fulling convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” Showing that just like Abraham, God won’t make us do things that He doesn’t believe that we would be able to do. Through God’s strength and with our faith in him we can be able to whatever God asks of us.

Through Abraham’s faith in God and His promise to him that made him righteous. (v22) For us we are counted righteous when we put our faith in Jesus, when the plan that God set from Abraham’s promise was finally fulfilled. Paul concludes this chapter in verse 24 and 25 by casting our eyes to Jesus, because of our faith in him is the reason why we are saved and are justified for our sins.

Dear Lord thank you for your promises to us that you have never failed us, you have never broken a promise. Thank you for the promise of your son, Jesus who died for us and let us have unwavering faith in the truth that He died for our sins. Help us strengthen our faith to be more like Abraham’s unwavering faith and having trust in you. Amen.

 

Going Deeper Questions

  1. What is the importance of God’s promise to the Jewish people? And to us? Why does this encourage us in our day to day lives?
  2. What ways could it be hard for Abraham and Sarah to not believe in God’s promise to them? How does this show the character and faith of Abraham and Sarah?
  3. How can we sometimes struggle with God’s promises? What can we learn from Abraham’s faith when things take a turn in life that we don’t expect?
  4. Verse 16 Paul talks about Paul’s descendants being adheres of the law and sharing the faith Abraham had. Why is this important? What can we learn from this principle when it comes to Jesus on the cross?
  5. Why is it important to remember God’s promise to Abraham, especially when you consider what Christ has done for us on the cross? How does this encourage us in our walk with God?


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