November 21, 2008

An Exercise in Faith

“(as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed——God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be." And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore "it was accounted to him for righteousness." Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.” (Romans 4:17-25 NKJV)

Abraham believed God. Many modern evangelists will tell you that all you need to do is believe God exists. They won’t say it that way, but that is their message if you listen closely. All a person needs to do is believe to be saved, but it is not just mental assent to the fact that there is a God.

This passage proves the point. Abraham was not weak in faith so he did not consider the impossible situation of having a child at one hundred years old with an infertile and also aged wife. Instead of being weak in faith, he trusted God’s word. It was because of this kind of faith that God imputed righteousness to him.

The same is true for you. If you believe that God has raised Jesus from the dead, you may have righteousness accounted to you. Notice, however, it doesn’t just say raised from the dead, but it gives the reason for this divine act.

He died because of our offenses. We were guilty and deserving of death. To believe means you understand your guilt and are repentant. However, there is another side to it.

He was raised because of our justification, or better for our justification. To believe means you understand and trust in Christ righteousness.

Understanding your guilt and trusting in Christ’s righteousness are two aspects of one faith that trusts God to forgive and resurrect. We waver in faith when we fail to live in either of these. To sin willfully is to lose sight of your guilt. To wring your hands in fear is to disbelieve God’s promise.

Are you exercising faith? Are you walking in balance? Do you really trust God’s word? If you do, reckon yourself indeed dead to sin and alive to God. Let that thought guide your decisions today. Amen.