Abrahams Faith and Our Faith

From a human standpoint there was no hope that Abraham would have any descendants much less so many they would out number the stars in the sky.

Yet with God all things are possible.

Therefore he believed what God said.

His hope was not the invincible human spirit rising to the occasion against all odds but a deep inner confidence that God was absolutely true to his word.

Faith is unreasonable only within a restricted world view that denies God the right to intervene.

Gods intervention is highly rational from the biblical perspective, which not only allows God to intervene but actually expects him to show concern for those He has created in His own image.

The opportunity to believe is not assigned to any one nation or ethnic group.

Belief and faith in God is universally possible.

The Analysis of Abrahams Faith (vv 18-21)

What made Abrahams faith so strong?

He had only 1 son

Never owned the land that was promised to him

Never saw the savior that would eventually come through his family.

In verses 18-21 Paul gives a list of characteristics that should be present in all believers that put their faith in God.

1.) In hope against hope he believed

The terms Hope and Faith are related but they are not the same.

Hope: is the desire for something that might be true or might happen.

Faith: is the firm confidence that it is true or will happen.

David and Goliath

The object of Abrahams faith was God who is the unchanging all powerful creator of the universe.

God never gave Abraham a reason to doubt Him.

He has also never given us a reason to doubt Him.

2.) Abraham Believed in God without becoming Weak

To become weak in faith is to allow doubt to cloud and partly undermine belief.

3.) Abrahams faith prevented him from becoming discouraged by his own natural weakness.

no matter what God calls us to do He will give us the tools and ability to do it.

4.) Abraham did not doubt Gods promise when the circumstances around him seemed to make its fulfillment impossible.

We as not concerned that Sarah was past the time for child bearing but knew God would make a way.

Just as salvation comes as a gift to us we must allow God to work the circumstances in our lives to allow Him to get the glory.

5.) Abrahams faith was characterized by his giving glory to God.

Godly faith glorifies God.

His trustworthy character, is the supreme way that men glorify Him.

While without faith, any attempt to worship, praise, or honor Him is a worthless, self-righteous sham.

6.) Abraham was fully persuaded that Gods promise was certain and His power sufficient.

This sums up the fact that his faith in God was complete and unqualified.

The Answer to Abrahams Faith (v22)

The heart of this passage and the whole chapter, is that in response to Abrahams faith, God graciously reckoned it to him as righteousness.

In his sinful flesh, Abraham was totally unable to meet Gods standard of prefect righteousness.

He tried to do things on his own and failed.

But the Good news of salvation the good news of God is that the Lord will take the faith that he Himself has enabled a person to possess and count that faith as divine righteousness on the believing sinners behalf.

It is not that faith merits salvation but that faith accepts salvation from Gods gracious hand.

Through that acceptance comes the righteousness that only God can impart.

The Application of Abrahams Faith (vv 23-25)

The marvelous thing about Abrahams faith being reckoned as righteousness is that the same divine principle applies to every person who trusts in Gods Son.

No part of Scripture was given only for the time in which it was written.

The story of Abraham and of his faith is important to us today because men are now saved on exactly the same basis on which Abraham was saved- which is trust in God.

From the human side, the key phrase in Romans 4:24 is “who believe in Him”.

Faith is the necessary component for Salvation.

Despite his claims of scientific objectivism, modern man has become enthralled by the supernatural and by the prospect of extraterrestrial beings.

Eastern mysticism, in many forms and degrees, is sweeping the intellectually enlightened world.

More people read their horoscope than read their Bible.

Everyone is looking for meaning and a concrete answer about God and the universe.

The fact that they are looking everywhere but to the one true God is proof that sinful man naturally resits God.

For us to have the same faith as Abraham we must turn from our human rebellion and turn to the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.