Romans Chapter 4 [ verses 1-15]
THE FAITH CHAPTER
Chapter 4 [ verses 1-15]
It is a GIFT!! a GIFT that keeps on giving.
During Christmas, children are requesting a particular gift they have been desiring. My girls have already gotten their wishlist together. My youngest wants a hachable, and my oldest wants a kitty, a LIVE kitty, the one that breathes, and scratches. But that's beside the point. I am not an animal person, PERIOD, so we will just have to see how that one goes.
As far as gifting goes, its a special object that is personified to fit a child's life. Something they like, or desire to add to their other collection of toys. Just the thought of my kids receiving these special personified gifts, makes my heart smile. I will go out and pick out a gift that best fits my children, and will probably find something that they didn't think they desires. I know my children, I know what they like, I know what they desire...
Do you see where I am going with this?
Our father also enjoys seeing his children smile. He loves to give us our personified gifts, that fit our life, and are perfectly created to make us smile. He went out on the Calvary, and shed his blood, picked our the perfect bow, and selected the perfect wrapping paper to present it to us. He gave his SON, his most precious possession.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." [John 3:16]
Beautifully wrapped gift of the SEASON; His only Son to die on Calvary in exchange for complete confidence in his Son JESUS, for eternal life.
The requirement here is to believe, to trust, and to put your COMPLETE confidence in the GIVER.
The GIVER, GOD the FATHER, who gives the most wonderful gifts to his children.
What are the GIFTS, that are available to us as his children? Let us dig DEEP and discover these treasures in the next chapter, the FAITH chapter.
Romans Chapter 4
"In this next chapter we come upon a very INTERESTING biblical character Abraham, who literally changed the course of history. Who is Abraham? and why was he such an interesting character in God's eyes?
Abraham was a God fearing man, an obedient man, who walked with GOD. The men who was willing to sacrifice his own son, for God. He was obedient to God in everything, even to his own son's death. The bible says that he bound his son, and placed him on the alter, when an angel, at the moments notice stops him. " I know you fear GOD"
WOW what an obedience!? What is Obedience? The dictionary defines it as complete trust, and submission, to a specific request. Abraham submitted to God, in anything he asked of him. Obedience moves GOD'S heart. Was it anything that he did? God did not specify his specific traits of character, because then Abraham would have something to boast about. No, Abraham believed blindly into the promise of GOD, he believed that God will find a way out, that God will protect him, and his son. He didn't even let his wife know that he was leaving, he quietly left into the mountains, at the early hour. He had a special connection with God, and his obedience was precious in his sight.
The bible says, that Abraham believed God, and that is why God accepted him. Believing is having complete trust and confidence in the unseen, But it's not exactly unseen, because GOD is real, and his promises are real. Abraham in the past has seen God's hand in his life, it was not blind Faith, it was complete trust and confidence in the future promises of God. God has already delivered his promise, the very son that God is asking, is the very son that he and his wife prayed for. [a snippet from my writing]
In verses 4-5 we come upon this Question? Wasn't Abraham saved because of the good things he did? NO for being saved, or the gift of SALVATION is a GIFT, the Gift that keeps on giving, an unmerited favor of GOD. If a person could earn his salvation by being good, then it wouldn't be free would it ? It is given to those, who do not work for it, but simply BELIEVE
"Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for Righteousness." [Romans 4:3]
Righteousness- is right standing with GOD, being right, or accepted by Gods moral standards.
Trusting GOD completely makes you acceptable in his sight.
Now this free GIFT of GRACE an extended hand of mercy is given to us because of our trust in Him.
" BLESSED are those whose sins are forgiven, and BLESSED are those whose sins are covered. [Romans 4:7-8]
In other words, holy and consecrated are those whose sins are washed away, and who are found blameless in his sight.
As we read further we come to a contention between those who obey the law, and those who do not.
As an ex legalist I wondered this myself, but never truly gotten to dissect the scripture to find the truth. It is after you chew your food that you are truly going to enjoy the meal, and once I did, there was no going back to the old ways. I bit on truth, and would not let go, if this chapter right here shows me the truth, then I must stick around this meal, and dig right into it.
So Abraham, was it because of his complete trust, and confidence, or because he kept the laws?
Was this promise made before or after he became a JEW [ceremony of circumcision]? It was after God had already accepted Abraham because of his complete trust, and confidence. The circumcision was a sign that he believed God.
Abraham was accepted as Righteous man because of his FAITH, not his works. We too whether Jews, or Gentiles are accepted in Gods sight, on account of our FAITH in GOD, and not works, lest we should boast.
Abraham TRUSTED GOD to keep his promise. Trust in God and keep his promise, or work out your Righteousness by observing the LAW. There is a choice. Choosing one, will nullify the other. Choosing Grace will nullify Law, and choosing law, will nullify GRACE. You either TRUST or DON'T TRUST! There is no in between.
What a CHAPTER!! WOW it opened my eyes! There's NOTHING I can humanly do, to earn his favor. His blessing is a PROMISE to those who trust and believe in GOD.
Stay tuned for the next STUDY
- Firestarter
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