Now I see why you wear high-collared shirts.
Last edited:
The Book Of ROMANS.....A Systematic Teaching
- Thread starter Major
- Start date
Now I see why you wear high-collared shirts.
You betcha life!
Major , a question.
The last half of Romans 3 and basically all of chapter 4 has been dealing with justification, in fact I'm not aware of any of Paul's teaching touching on the new birth (regeneration).
Would you say all who are justified are regenerated and all who are born again are justified? IOW, how do the two interrelate?
The last half of Romans 3 and basically all of chapter 4 has been dealing with justification, in fact I'm not aware of any of Paul's teaching touching on the new birth (regeneration).
Would you say all who are justified are regenerated and all who are born again are justified? IOW, how do the two interrelate?
You ask really deep well thought out questions. I applaud you!
It is funny you should ask. My next door neighbor is a Roman Catholic and he just asked me the same question. Now this is a man of 77 who has been a Catholic all of his life and did not know what BORN AGAIN meant in John 3.
Anyway........Justification indeed refers to a believer's full acquittal before God, and Regeneration refers to our being 'born again,' so, are they the same thing? Actually no, not exactly.
Justification and Regeneration appear to happen pretty much at once, but they are distinct from each other. Justification, that is, when we are forgiven by God, declared NOT GUILITY, it changes our relationship to God, so instead of being enemies we become God's own children. This restores us to the favour of God,.
Regeneration then facilitates the process of sanctification, leading to us increasingly reflecting God Himself in character, standards and behaviour. However, we never fully attain that, of course; but the direction we are travelling should become increasingly evident.
I would say that ALL who are truly Born Again are Justified! That act of Justification then "kick starts" the process of being "Regenerated".
Does that answer your question?
Why do we have our own lingo? Justification, Regeneration, Sanctification... who talks like that in the real world?
If our goal is to reach people, we need to speak simply and plainly. Why a three-step process? Why so technical?
Here's my cliff-notes:
Stick a pole in the ground and place a polished bronze snake on it. When you get bitten by venomous vipers -- and you will get bitten! -- look at the snake, believe you will survive and you will. Otherwise you'll surely die.
Oh, and Jesus is the bronze snake and the pole is actually a cross and getting bitten, well that's sin and you already have it. And surviving means when your body dies, your soul will ascend to heaven and you'll live forever. And dying, well, that's code for living in eternity without God, and that's basically what Hell is, so, yeah, good luck with that one.
The end.
I was in college when I first heard of that 3 letter word called 'sin'. I didn't have the foggiest what it meant.Why do we have our own lingo? Justification, Regeneration, Sanctification... who talks like that in the real world?
If our goal is to reach people, we need to speak simply and plainly. Why a three-step process? Why so technical?
Here's my cliff-notes:
Stick a pole in the ground and place a polished bronze snake on it. When you get bitten by venomous vipers -- and you will get bitten! -- look at the snake, believe you will survive and you will. Otherwise you'll surely die.
Oh, and Jesus is the bronze snake and the pole is actually a cross and getting bitten, well that's sin and you already have it. And surviving means when your body dies, your soul will ascend to heaven and you'll live forever. And dying, well, that's code for living in eternity without God, and that's basically what Hell is, so, yeah, good luck with that one.
The end.
So what word would you like to substitute for the word 'sin'?
p.s. Jesus is not a bronze snake.
Those are all Theological SEMINARY terms.Why do we have our own lingo? Justification, Regeneration, Sanctification... who talks like that in the real world?
If our goal is to reach people, we need to speak simply and plainly. Why a three-step process? Why so technical?
Here's my cliff-notes:
Stick a pole in the ground and place a polished bronze snake on it. When you get bitten by venomous vipers -- and you will get bitten! -- look at the snake, believe you will survive and you will. Otherwise you'll surely die.
Oh, and Jesus is the bronze snake and the pole is actually a cross and getting bitten, well that's sin and you already have it. And surviving means when your body dies, your soul will ascend to heaven and you'll live forever. And dying, well, that's code for living in eternity without God, and that's basically what Hell is, so, yeah, good luck with that one.
The end.
Why a 3 step process????
Because that is what the Bible teaches us and mainly because over the years, men have asked the process to be explained.
1st....we must admit that we are asinner, accept the penalty for our sin and ask Christ to forgive us. THAT IS JUSIFICATION.
When we do that we are declared not guility in the eyes of the Lord.
2nd....As we grow in knowledge and faith we are used by God for His purposes. That is SANCTIFICATION.
3rd........Is the end of the process. When we die or Raptured we are GLORIFIED. Made like Christ.
Now why TECHNICAL??? Because people ASK!
Brother......Your "cliff notes" are wrong! See.....this is why Bible things must be properly explained.
As crossnote said....Jesus was not a bronze serpant!!!! Just as the bronze snake is a lesson, there are a hundred more in the Bible.
Each one has to be explained correctly and carefully lest we wind up as a Mormon looking for those gold plates.
So then, the rest of that story is that the bronze serpent, a symbol of sin and judgment, was lifted up from the earth and put on a tree, which was a symbol of a curse. The serpent in Numbers was lifted up and cursed symbolized Jesus, who takes away sin from everyone who would look to Him in faith, just like the Israelites had to look to the upraised symbol in the wilderness.
Now........the people in Numbers who did get healed when they looked at the serpent, and the image was kept for many years.
Here is the problem........Many years later, when the Israelites were in the Promised Land, the serpent became an object of worship (2 Kings 18:4). This shows how easy it is for us to take the things of God and twist them into idolatry. THAT is why doctrines and Scriptures must be explained and detailed.
Last edited:
Those are also 1st century fisherman's terms. There is no need to dumb down the Christian culture more than it has been.
I think I agree.
I caught a 10 pound bass yesterday and I was declared not guilty by the game warden because I had my license. Something like that???
Then when my wife saw it and cooked it, as we ate we were being SANCTIFIED!
The when we finshed eating and were sitting on the back porch, to full to move, we were in GORIFICATION!
I got it!!!!!!!!
Romans 4:12.......
"And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised."
God made that promise to Abraham long before circumcision was introduced. It is just this simple....Abraham believed God....That's all!
That fact made Abraham a spiritual father to everyone who believes God without being circumcised, referring to all non-Jewish people, whether circumcised for other reasons or not.
Paul shows that Abraham was also the father of circumcised people, as well. However, in this case Paul is not referring to all of them. Abraham is, of course, physically the father of all the Jewish people. He is their primary ancestor. They are his descendants.
Paul, however, qualifies this second group of the children of Abraham.
He describes them as, yes, circumcised and Jewish, but also as those who walk in his footsteps by having the same faith in God Abraham did before he was circumcised. In other words, Abraham became the spiritual father both of the believing non-Jews and the believing Jews. Paul's point here is crucial: even under circumcision, faith is what truly separates those who are in God's family from those who are apart from it. Abraham set the example for all who would follow in faith.
"And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised."
God made that promise to Abraham long before circumcision was introduced. It is just this simple....Abraham believed God....That's all!
That fact made Abraham a spiritual father to everyone who believes God without being circumcised, referring to all non-Jewish people, whether circumcised for other reasons or not.
Paul shows that Abraham was also the father of circumcised people, as well. However, in this case Paul is not referring to all of them. Abraham is, of course, physically the father of all the Jewish people. He is their primary ancestor. They are his descendants.
Paul, however, qualifies this second group of the children of Abraham.
He describes them as, yes, circumcised and Jewish, but also as those who walk in his footsteps by having the same faith in God Abraham did before he was circumcised. In other words, Abraham became the spiritual father both of the believing non-Jews and the believing Jews. Paul's point here is crucial: even under circumcision, faith is what truly separates those who are in God's family from those who are apart from it. Abraham set the example for all who would follow in faith.
Romans 4:13........
"For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith."
First, God told Abraham to "go" from his country into another land. God promised to make Abraham a great nation, to bless him, to make his name great, to bless those who blessed him and curse those who dishonored him, and to bless all of the families of the earth through Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3).
Did Abraham believe all these promises from God? He clearly did, because the verse after this list of promises says, "So Abram went" (Genesis 12:4).
Paul seems to be referring to these promises when he mentions that God told Abraham that he and his descendants would be heirs of the world. Paul's point is that the promises had nothing to do with the giving of or Israel's keeping of the law. God made the promises centuries before giving the law to Moses. Instead, these promises were given through the righteousness of Abraham's faith.
"For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith."
First, God told Abraham to "go" from his country into another land. God promised to make Abraham a great nation, to bless him, to make his name great, to bless those who blessed him and curse those who dishonored him, and to bless all of the families of the earth through Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3).
Did Abraham believe all these promises from God? He clearly did, because the verse after this list of promises says, "So Abram went" (Genesis 12:4).
Paul seems to be referring to these promises when he mentions that God told Abraham that he and his descendants would be heirs of the world. Paul's point is that the promises had nothing to do with the giving of or Israel's keeping of the law. God made the promises centuries before giving the law to Moses. Instead, these promises were given through the righteousness of Abraham's faith.
Romans 4:14.........
"For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:"
In Genesis 12:1–3, God gave some promises and Paul has written, they amount to Israel being heirs of the world.
Paul is now saying that this inheritance will not come by following the law.
WHY?
Well for one reason those promises were given by God BEFORE the law was given to Moses. So what Paul is saying is that if the inheritance is to be given to those who follow the law, then faith does not matter.
Worse, the promises of God don't matter—because not all of Abraham's descendants had the law!
So then In other words, Paul has already shown that nobody can keep the law. All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:10; 3:23). So if God's promises to Israel are only for those able to follow the law, those promises will not be given.
THINK........ When law is a requirement for salvation, faith serves no purpose!!!
THINK.........The same think would apply to "works/Water Baptism. If they are required to be saved, then FAITH serves no purpose!!!
How do YOU think that those who insist that water baptism is an essential to salvation deal with this fact here in Romans 4:14?????
"For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:"
In Genesis 12:1–3, God gave some promises and Paul has written, they amount to Israel being heirs of the world.
Paul is now saying that this inheritance will not come by following the law.
WHY?
Well for one reason those promises were given by God BEFORE the law was given to Moses. So what Paul is saying is that if the inheritance is to be given to those who follow the law, then faith does not matter.
Worse, the promises of God don't matter—because not all of Abraham's descendants had the law!
So then In other words, Paul has already shown that nobody can keep the law. All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:10; 3:23). So if God's promises to Israel are only for those able to follow the law, those promises will not be given.
THINK........ When law is a requirement for salvation, faith serves no purpose!!!
THINK.........The same think would apply to "works/Water Baptism. If they are required to be saved, then FAITH serves no purpose!!!
How do YOU think that those who insist that water baptism is an essential to salvation deal with this fact here in Romans 4:14?????
But I do not wear high heel shoes!
Romans 4:15..........
" because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression."
Our inability to keep the law (our transgression) means that it becomes essentially a vehicle of God’s wrath towards us, especially if we regard it as the principle by which we are justified and relate to God.
How can Paul say - "Where there is no law there is no transgression"?
Because “Transgression" is the right word for overstepping a line, and this for breaking a clearly defined commandment”.
So then, Where there is no line, there is no actual transgression.
There is sin that is not the “crossing the line” of the Law of Moses.
The root of sin isn’t in breaking the law, but in breaking trust with God; with denying His loving, caring purpose in every command He gives.
Before Adam sinned he broke trust with God – therefore God’s plan of redemption is centered on a relationship of trusting love – faith – instead of law-keeping. When we center our relationship with God on law-keeping instead of trusting love, we go against His whole plan.
" because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression."
Our inability to keep the law (our transgression) means that it becomes essentially a vehicle of God’s wrath towards us, especially if we regard it as the principle by which we are justified and relate to God.
How can Paul say - "Where there is no law there is no transgression"?
Because “Transgression" is the right word for overstepping a line, and this for breaking a clearly defined commandment”.
So then, Where there is no line, there is no actual transgression.
There is sin that is not the “crossing the line” of the Law of Moses.
The root of sin isn’t in breaking the law, but in breaking trust with God; with denying His loving, caring purpose in every command He gives.
Before Adam sinned he broke trust with God – therefore God’s plan of redemption is centered on a relationship of trusting love – faith – instead of law-keeping. When we center our relationship with God on law-keeping instead of trusting love, we go against His whole plan.
Romans 4:16.............
"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,".
Faith is related to grace in the same way works is related to law. Grace and law are principles, and faith and works are the means by which we pursue those principles for our relationship with God.
So then to speak technically, we are not saved by faith. We are saved by God’s grace, and grace is appropriated by faith.
"It is of faith": Salvation is of faith and nothing else. We can only receive salvation by the principle of grace through faith.
Grace can’t be gained through works, whether they be past works, present works, or promised works. This is because by definition grace is given without regard to anything in the one who receives it.
Charles Spurgeon said............
“Grace and faith are congruous, and will draw together in the same chariot, but grace and merit are contrary the one to the other and pull opposite ways, and therefore God has not chosen to yoke them together.”
"So that the promise might be sure to all the seed".
The promise can only be sure if it is according to grace. If law is the basis of our salvation, then our salvation depends on our performance in keeping the law – and no one can keep the law good enough to be saved by it. A law-promise of salvation can never be sure.
If our relationship with God is according to grace (not circumcision or law-keeping or water baptism), then that relationship is for those who are of the faith of Abraham, even if they are not of his lineage.
A Gentile could say, “I am not a Jew, I am not of the law; but I am of the faith of Abraham,” and he would be just as saved as a Jewish believer in Jesus would be.
The father of us all = The fulfillment of the promise in Genesis 17:4-5 is found not only in Abraham’s descendants through Isaac, but especially in his role as being the father of us all who believe – and those believers come from every nation under heaven who accept Jesus as the Christ!
"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,".
Faith is related to grace in the same way works is related to law. Grace and law are principles, and faith and works are the means by which we pursue those principles for our relationship with God.
So then to speak technically, we are not saved by faith. We are saved by God’s grace, and grace is appropriated by faith.
"It is of faith": Salvation is of faith and nothing else. We can only receive salvation by the principle of grace through faith.
Grace can’t be gained through works, whether they be past works, present works, or promised works. This is because by definition grace is given without regard to anything in the one who receives it.
Charles Spurgeon said............
“Grace and faith are congruous, and will draw together in the same chariot, but grace and merit are contrary the one to the other and pull opposite ways, and therefore God has not chosen to yoke them together.”
"So that the promise might be sure to all the seed".
The promise can only be sure if it is according to grace. If law is the basis of our salvation, then our salvation depends on our performance in keeping the law – and no one can keep the law good enough to be saved by it. A law-promise of salvation can never be sure.
If our relationship with God is according to grace (not circumcision or law-keeping or water baptism), then that relationship is for those who are of the faith of Abraham, even if they are not of his lineage.
A Gentile could say, “I am not a Jew, I am not of the law; but I am of the faith of Abraham,” and he would be just as saved as a Jewish believer in Jesus would be.
The father of us all = The fulfillment of the promise in Genesis 17:4-5 is found not only in Abraham’s descendants through Isaac, but especially in his role as being the father of us all who believe – and those believers come from every nation under heaven who accept Jesus as the Christ!
Romans 4:17.............
" (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."
Paul wrote at the end of the previous verse that Abraham is the father of all who share in his faith in God. Now, as evidence of this, Paul quotes what God said to Abraham in Genesis 17:5...........
"I have made you the father of many nations."
These nations include all people whose faith is in God.
Paul then picks up the statement he'd begun just before this quote. Abraham is father of all believers in the sight of God. That is, Abraham is the spiritual father of all believers, not just of those who are under the law, meaning the Jews. Paul describes the God Abraham believed in using very specific terms. This is the God who gives life to the dead, partly referring to God bringing Abraham's and Sarah's bodies back to life-giving form even at the ages of 100 and 90 respectively, fulfilling His promise to give them a son. It is true, as well, however, that God also brings life to the dead in the sense of resurrection from the dead, as He did when raising Jesus back to life after the crucifixion.
This is also the God who calls into existence things that were not there before. Again, this likely refers to Abraham's and Sarah's promised miracle child and the nations that would come through him. Nations that had never been would spring into existence, including the nation of Israel.
It is also possible that Paul is describing God as creator of the universe, tying back to what he wrote about those who reject God in spite of witnessing all He has made (Romans 1:18-20). Those who believe in Him, as Abraham and all of his offspring do, understand and embrace the truth that God is the maker of all things.
This is often described as creation ex nihilo, meaning "creation out of nothing."
This is in direct opposition to the teachings of the Masonic Lodge who says......"God is the Great Architect of the Universe".
No He is not. An architect places things together. God spoke the Word and out of nothing came everything! BIG Difference.
" (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."
Paul wrote at the end of the previous verse that Abraham is the father of all who share in his faith in God. Now, as evidence of this, Paul quotes what God said to Abraham in Genesis 17:5...........
"I have made you the father of many nations."
These nations include all people whose faith is in God.
Paul then picks up the statement he'd begun just before this quote. Abraham is father of all believers in the sight of God. That is, Abraham is the spiritual father of all believers, not just of those who are under the law, meaning the Jews. Paul describes the God Abraham believed in using very specific terms. This is the God who gives life to the dead, partly referring to God bringing Abraham's and Sarah's bodies back to life-giving form even at the ages of 100 and 90 respectively, fulfilling His promise to give them a son. It is true, as well, however, that God also brings life to the dead in the sense of resurrection from the dead, as He did when raising Jesus back to life after the crucifixion.
This is also the God who calls into existence things that were not there before. Again, this likely refers to Abraham's and Sarah's promised miracle child and the nations that would come through him. Nations that had never been would spring into existence, including the nation of Israel.
It is also possible that Paul is describing God as creator of the universe, tying back to what he wrote about those who reject God in spite of witnessing all He has made (Romans 1:18-20). Those who believe in Him, as Abraham and all of his offspring do, understand and embrace the truth that God is the maker of all things.
This is often described as creation ex nihilo, meaning "creation out of nothing."
This is in direct opposition to the teachings of the Masonic Lodge who says......"God is the Great Architect of the Universe".
No He is not. An architect places things together. God spoke the Word and out of nothing came everything! BIG Difference.
Romans 4:18........
"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."
So far Paul has told us that God credited Abraham with righteousness because of his faith.
Paul has been using this as a strong example of God's plan for human salvation:.........
one grounded in faith and belief, not in our good works or legalism.
One of the things Abraham believed God about was that he and Sarah would have a son. This was not a sensible belief, looking from a purely humans perspective. Abraham and Sarah were outrageously far beyond the age when human beings are capable of having children. And yet, in the end, God honored that faith by providing them with a son, Isaac as recorded in Genesis 21:3.
Paul says here, though, that in hope, Abraham believed against all hope, that not only would he finally have a son with Sarah but that God would keep the promise to make him the father of many nations.
Paul quotes that promise from Genesis 15:5. As Abraham looked up at the starry host of heaven, God told him,
God credited Abraham with righteousness because of his faith. Paul has been using this as a strong example of God's plan for human salvation: one grounded in faith and belief, not in our good works or legalism. One of the things Abraham believed God about was that he and Sarah would have a son. This was not a sensible belief, looking from a purely humans perspective. Abraham and Sarah were outrageously far beyond the age when human beings are capable of having children. And yet, in the end, God honored that faith by providing them with a son, Isaac (Genesis 21:3).
Paul says here, though, that in hope, Abraham believed against all hope, that not only would he finally have a son with Sarah but that God would keep the promise to make him the father of many nations. Paul quotes that promise from Genesis 15:5. As Abraham looked up at the starry host of heaven, God told him, "So shall your offspring be."
Now place yourself in Abraham's shoes. You are approaching 100 years old and you have NO children but God is telling you that you will be the father of MANY Nations............""So shall your offspring be."
"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."
So far Paul has told us that God credited Abraham with righteousness because of his faith.
Paul has been using this as a strong example of God's plan for human salvation:.........
one grounded in faith and belief, not in our good works or legalism.
One of the things Abraham believed God about was that he and Sarah would have a son. This was not a sensible belief, looking from a purely humans perspective. Abraham and Sarah were outrageously far beyond the age when human beings are capable of having children. And yet, in the end, God honored that faith by providing them with a son, Isaac as recorded in Genesis 21:3.
Paul says here, though, that in hope, Abraham believed against all hope, that not only would he finally have a son with Sarah but that God would keep the promise to make him the father of many nations.
Paul quotes that promise from Genesis 15:5. As Abraham looked up at the starry host of heaven, God told him,
God credited Abraham with righteousness because of his faith. Paul has been using this as a strong example of God's plan for human salvation: one grounded in faith and belief, not in our good works or legalism. One of the things Abraham believed God about was that he and Sarah would have a son. This was not a sensible belief, looking from a purely humans perspective. Abraham and Sarah were outrageously far beyond the age when human beings are capable of having children. And yet, in the end, God honored that faith by providing them with a son, Isaac (Genesis 21:3).
Paul says here, though, that in hope, Abraham believed against all hope, that not only would he finally have a son with Sarah but that God would keep the promise to make him the father of many nations. Paul quotes that promise from Genesis 15:5. As Abraham looked up at the starry host of heaven, God told him, "So shall your offspring be."
Now place yourself in Abraham's shoes. You are approaching 100 years old and you have NO children but God is telling you that you will be the father of MANY Nations............""So shall your offspring be."
Romans 4:19...........
"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 Sara's womb".
Now, please understand...........there is NO merit in faith itself! You see, there was nothing around Abraham in which he could trust. There was nothing that he could feel or see or touch. NOTHIN!
All he could do was believe God. That is the key here.
In fact, from a human standpoint, God's promise was impossible! I am repeating my self but we should not forget that Abraham was 100 years old, and his body was "as good as dead," Paul writes. Not only was Abraham's body far beyond the normal years of fatherhood, he was already beyond the average lifespan of a man (Psalm 90:10)! Sarah was 90 and had been barren her entire life.
In spite of that Paul says that Abraham's faith in God did not even weaken. He was always convinced that God would keep His word. We become Abraham's spiritual children when we believe in God to keep His promises to us, as well. Paul's point in using this example has been to show that faith, not good works, is what allows us to be called righteous before God.
Today, we have friends, internet acquaintances, neighbors, church family, our children but what did Abraham have?????
"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 Sara's womb".
Now, please understand...........there is NO merit in faith itself! You see, there was nothing around Abraham in which he could trust. There was nothing that he could feel or see or touch. NOTHIN!
All he could do was believe God. That is the key here.
In fact, from a human standpoint, God's promise was impossible! I am repeating my self but we should not forget that Abraham was 100 years old, and his body was "as good as dead," Paul writes. Not only was Abraham's body far beyond the normal years of fatherhood, he was already beyond the average lifespan of a man (Psalm 90:10)! Sarah was 90 and had been barren her entire life.
In spite of that Paul says that Abraham's faith in God did not even weaken. He was always convinced that God would keep His word. We become Abraham's spiritual children when we believe in God to keep His promises to us, as well. Paul's point in using this example has been to show that faith, not good works, is what allows us to be called righteous before God.
Today, we have friends, internet acquaintances, neighbors, church family, our children but what did Abraham have?????
Romans 4:20..........
"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;"
God's promise to Abraham wasn't given until Abraham was more than 75 years old, and wasn't fulfilled until Abraham was 100, some 25 years later!
Paul wrote in the previous verse that Abraham's faith did not weaken. He held fast to his faith, even long after the hope of having a natural-born son became impossible according to human experience. Now, Paul writes that Abraham experienced no unbelief. He didn't waver in trusting God. Just the opposite: He grew stronger in his faith and continued to give glory to God.
Would YOU be that strong in YOUR faith today?
My dear friends, Abraham's faith was undeniably remarkable. He was far from a perfect man. Abraham sinned, as all do. But He believed that the God who spoke to Him would do exactly what He promised even as year after year passed without that promise being fulfilled.
He was not doubled-minded! Do you see that coming through in Paul's writing? Abraham looked away from his circumstances and TO the promise God made. He believed in spit of his circumstances.
He put his confidence in the promise of God because of the ONE who gave the promise thus giving worship to God. You see friends.....man was created to glorify God but because of disobedience, he did the opposite.
Please grasp this doctrinal fact.....the only way YOU can glorify God in YOUR life is to believe Him!
"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;"
God's promise to Abraham wasn't given until Abraham was more than 75 years old, and wasn't fulfilled until Abraham was 100, some 25 years later!
Paul wrote in the previous verse that Abraham's faith did not weaken. He held fast to his faith, even long after the hope of having a natural-born son became impossible according to human experience. Now, Paul writes that Abraham experienced no unbelief. He didn't waver in trusting God. Just the opposite: He grew stronger in his faith and continued to give glory to God.
Would YOU be that strong in YOUR faith today?
My dear friends, Abraham's faith was undeniably remarkable. He was far from a perfect man. Abraham sinned, as all do. But He believed that the God who spoke to Him would do exactly what He promised even as year after year passed without that promise being fulfilled.
He was not doubled-minded! Do you see that coming through in Paul's writing? Abraham looked away from his circumstances and TO the promise God made. He believed in spit of his circumstances.
He put his confidence in the promise of God because of the ONE who gave the promise thus giving worship to God. You see friends.....man was created to glorify God but because of disobedience, he did the opposite.
Please grasp this doctrinal fact.....the only way YOU can glorify God in YOUR life is to believe Him!
Romans 4:21...........
"And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."
Abraham never doubted God could keep His word even through his own "as good as dead" body. In fact, the more time that passed, the stronger Abraham's faith became. This, of course, was based on Abraham's experiences with God, which proved that God was trustworthy.
What is always the proof of faith? TIME!
What is always the proof of prophecy? TIME!
Paul has shown that all of us come to God—that we are declared righteous by Him—only through this very same faith that Abraham had. God calls us to be "fully convinced" that, in Christ, our sins are forgiven and we are welcomed into God's family.
It is this "trust" which saves us from our sins (Hebrews 12:1–2), not good works or legalism or liberalism!
"And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."
Abraham never doubted God could keep His word even through his own "as good as dead" body. In fact, the more time that passed, the stronger Abraham's faith became. This, of course, was based on Abraham's experiences with God, which proved that God was trustworthy.
What is always the proof of faith? TIME!
What is always the proof of prophecy? TIME!
Paul has shown that all of us come to God—that we are declared righteous by Him—only through this very same faith that Abraham had. God calls us to be "fully convinced" that, in Christ, our sins are forgiven and we are welcomed into God's family.
It is this "trust" which saves us from our sins (Hebrews 12:1–2), not good works or legalism or liberalism!