Sunday, December 5, 2010

Romans 4

5 comments:

Berry Girl said...

"Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due" (v4) - this struck me this morning. If we believed that our salvation was based on our work, we would take it as something that was owed us or due us. But God doesn't owe us anything, and our salvation is not based on us at all.

"yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waiver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was also able to perform" (v20-21)
This is what I am striving for. While I don't have a specific promise like Abraham's, I want to not waiver in unbelief and to be strong in my faith, giving glory to God and being fully assured. We are not in the best place right now personally/financially, and I am holding on to the things God has done for us in the past, providing our needs, and believing that He will continue to do this.

Unknown said...

This is such a beautiful chapter. So much of it touched my heart, about the free gift of God in Christ Jesus, and how we are made right with God.

One thing did pique my interest. from verses 18-21 went on and on about how Abraham's faith never waivered about the promised son, despite his age, despite the passing of time, etc. But I couldn't help think of what happened with Ishmael. Sarai, obviously not having the depth of faith that Abraham is said to have here seemed to think she could "help" God fulfill His promise, and so came up with the whole Hagar idea. If Abraham would have been a good spiritual leader in that instance he would have "brought her around". But he didn't, he let her bring him around and we see a bit of a repetition of what happened in the garden between Adam and Eve.

Thought provoking for me.

Unknown said...

He will B-girl. He is. Amen.

Shailey said...

"Now this wonderful truth-that God declared him to be righteous-wasn't just for Abraham's benefit.It was for us,too,assuring us that God will also declare us to be righteous if we believe in God."vs 23-24

God declared Abraham righteous to teach us that if we trust in Him he will call us righteous too.Abraham trusted in God when God told him that he would have a son even though he didn't know how.

Elisa said...

When there was no reason for hope,Abraham believed because he had hope.He became the father of many nations,exactly as God had promised.
vs-18

When you are having trouble trust the Lord to help you,and He will.Abraham had faith in the Lord and he became the father of many nations.