ELEMENTS OF OUR JUSTIFICATION
Romans
4:18-25 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of
many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as
dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also
dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but
was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that
God had power to do what he had promised. This is why "it was credited to
him as righteousness."
Hope gives
us a vision of the future as God has promised. The obedience that pleases God
does not come before faith in God. If it had, Abraham would have needed the Law
of Moses to have known how to act and find favor with God. The promise of God
was spoken first to Abraham. The promise would be received by Him after faith
was lived out. Abraham placed his vision for his future and the future of his
family in the promise spoken by God. It was a promise of provision, plenty, a
home and blessings for all who came in contact with Abraham. Despite the
overwhelming circumstances of his life, he did not doubt God’s promise, God’s
word.
Abraham
believed. He knew God. He believed God was powerful enough and gracious enough
to bring about what He had promised to Abraham. God’s ability and power were
sufficient reason for Abraham to place his hopes in God. He believed God could
provide.
In faith
Abraham lived. He ordered his life in hope around the vision God gave him of
the promise for the future. Believing God was able to provide, Abraham
faithfully listened and followed God’s direction. Abraham believed that his
hopes were being fulfilled by God so he lived in faithful anticipation of
realizing all the goodness that God had promised.
This way of
thinking and living was pleasing to God. It shows the righteousness that God
seeks in His people. Hope, Belief and Faith are the elements of a life that is
justified before our God.
Prayer:
Establish in me hope for the vision of your will for
my life. Sustain my believing heart that I might live my life with faith in the
promises you have given through my Savior.