Series Title: “Transforming Our Minds; Strengthening Our Walk”
February 16, 2025 – Getting to the Root of Christian Faith – Romans 4:16-25
Romans 4:16-25 emphasizes that salvation comes solely through faith, using Abraham as the prime example; despite seemingly impossible circumstances, Abraham trusted God’s promises and was declared righteous by faith alone, illustrating how believers today are justified by trusting in Jesus’ death and resurrection, not by their own works, signifying that the promise of God’s grace is available to all who believe, regardless of their background or lineage.
Key points:
- Faith as the basis for righteousness:
The passage repeatedly highlights that Abraham was declared righteous “by faith” and not by any actions he performed.
Hope against hope:
- Even when the odds of fulfilling God’s promise seemed impossible (due to his and Sarah’s age), Abraham continued to believe.
Application to Christians:
- This example is presented as a model for Christians today, showing that our justification before God comes solely through trusting in Jesus Christ.
Universal access to grace:
- The promise is not limited to Abraham’s physical descendants but extends to all who share his faith.
Romans 4:16-25
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
16 For this reason the promise depends on faith, in order that it may rest on grace, so that it may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (who is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”), in the presence of the God in whom he believed,[a] who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 18 Hoping against hope, he believed that he would become “the father of many nations,” according to what was said, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was already[b] as good as dead (for he was about a hundred years old), and the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 Therefore “it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” 23 Now the words, “it was reckoned to him,” were written not for his sake alone 24 but for ours also. It will be reckoned to us who believe[c] in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was handed over for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.
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