Thoughts on Romans - Day 9

                       Romans 4:12-25

   ¹² And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.   
¹³ It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. ¹⁴ For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, ¹⁵ because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
¹⁶ Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. ¹⁷ As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
¹⁸ 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.” ¹⁹ 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. ²⁰ Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ²¹ being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. ²² This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” ²³ The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, ²⁴ but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ²⁵ He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.


       I colored in blue the theme of this passage - faith. Yes, Abraham is the father of many nations. This is what Christians, Jews, and Muslims have in common. Unfortunately, only Christians have him as our spiritual father as he is not the father of religious works,like the 7 pillars or going to the temple or eating certain foods or wearing certain things, but rather the father of faith.

       There are several synonyms for faith in this passage such as belief and being fully persuaded which leads to walking with footsteps of faith. I love that picture. When we truly believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose from the dead to give us life it affects our daily walk. Every step I take..., you know the song. Wherever I go whatever I do, be it vocation, vacation, recreation, I am living for Jesus. What does that look like? Kind of like the things in green.

        He is my father, I am His child therefore I need to represent the family name. I don't need to worry about money because my Daddy is rich. I don't need to worry about safety because my Daddy won't let anything out of His will happen to me. I don't need to worry about what other people think because the most important Being in the whole universe just gave me the thumbs up.

       He has given me grace - unmerited favor. I didn't have to work for it so I don't have to fear losing it or being unworthy so I can rejoice and revel in the eternal life( he brought me to life even though I was dead and brought me into being even though I was such a nobody it was like I didn't even exist) that God has given me. Nor do I need to look down on other people but rather give them grace like God undeservedly gave me.

     He has made me as if I had never sinned. When God looks at me he sees the righteousness of Jesus. Have you ever been at odds with someone and you just can't sleep, you can't concentrate, your joy is sapped, etc. and then you make up with them and a weight is lifted? Have you ever been married? Then you have a taste of how good it is to have our sins forgiven and be in a right relationship.

       Lord, not only have you given me heaven but you have given me so much more here on Earth. Help me to walk in the footsteps of faith today in the light of your grace to me.