Against All Hope

Romans 1; Romans 2; Romans 3; Romans 4
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Scripture

Romans 4

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.

Observation

The majority of people in this world still think that you can somehow get to Heaven by being good. They must have never read Romans 1-4! One word keeps coming up through this entire passage and that is the word “believe”. When we put our faith in what Jesus Christ did on the cross for us, when we believe in our hearts that He came, lived a sinless life, died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins, and when we turn to God and turn away from sin and self then and only then do we have eternal life.

At that moment we are “declared righteous” meaning that it is a righteousness that has been given to us and it is not a righteousness that we have because of our goodness or our good works. Once we have been “declared righteous” we are born into the family of God. Salvation is completely a God thing. I really like and I really believe verse 21 “being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” God is a Promise Maker and He is a Promise Keeper. I also like verse 18 because when things are “against all hope” that is when and where God likes to work. Do you find yourself or someone else “against all hope” then you need to turn or help someone turn to the One that loves to do the impossible.


Application

The Gospel is Powerful. It is all people need. Lord, direct me to someone that needs to hear today.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, you are a Promise Maker and a Promise Keeper. I pray that you work powerfully in my life today. Show me how powerful you are. I pray that you turn many people to repentance today. I pray for the missionaries that will be coming to our church this weekend. Father, use their lives to challenge us to be more involved in reaching this world for you. Thank you for declaring me righteous. Thank you for saving me and appointing me to your service. Amen.



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