Rom 4:17-25 (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. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
When are we justified?
There are six things spoken of in connection with the faith that brought Abraham justification. The reckoning of faith. vs. 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.” It says here, “before him whom he believed, even God.” Abraham’s faith was in a person. It was not what human faith is, belief in some idea or scheme. No, you see, Abraham had faith in God. Therefore he could have the utmost confidence in his cause and the course of his life.
There is danger in so much of today’s modern Christianity. There is the danger of being sidetracked from the primary purpose. There is the danger of being sidetracked into some kind of an experience, when the primary purpose is the experience of a person.
Christianity is the fellowship of a person, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not merely singing songs and folding hands. John 17:3 – “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
Because Abraham believed in a person, his faith could reckon “those things which be not as though they were.” It might take years for it to come to pass, but faith reckons it accomplished now. Heb 11:1 – “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” By faith I reckon Heaven is real. By faith I reckon that I shall be like Him. By faith I reckon that all things do work together for good. By faith I reckon that He really will take care of me. By faith I reckon that He will meet all my needs.
Nuggets Of Gold Ministries
Russell Stolp, Founder & Director
http://www.nuggetsofgold.org
Psalm 37:4 “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.