Romans 4:12 but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had
Romans 4:13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
Romans 4:16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification
Faith
Footsteps of Faith
Did not weaken in Faith
Grew strong in his Fatih
Righteousness of Faith
Faith – Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. Confidence, certainty, expectation, unwavering belief in what God has declared and proclaimed throughout His Word begins with surrender of self-reliance, self-confidence, self-worth, or any other form of belief in oneself counted as a means to be right with God and is the beginning of faith. There is no other way to being the walk of faith. It must start here.
Footsteps of faith – Jesus gave the parable of the seeds. “ The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. If there is no steps taken in faith, there is no root. Things of this world soon dry up the seed and it withers and dies.
Did not weaken in faith – When faith steps are immediately taken the root of hope and assurance grows deeper. Faith weathers the storms of life that threaten it. It is by faith in God we are able to stand in chaos and confusion with the assurance that God is in control. He is our rock, refuge, mighty fortress.
Grew strong in faith – Steps of faith must be taken to gain strength. Faith like muscles needs continual exercise to grow stronger. Faith does not grow on its own. Faith does not grow when we neglect or become complacent with God’s Word. The root of faith grows when it is continually and abundantly watered with the Word of God. Do not think for one second that a casual approach to your walk with God will in any way deepen your root of faith. The heart, mind, and soul must have a deep desire and seek for the purpose of wanting to honor and glorify Jesus Christ every waking moment. Without this desire and seeking there is barely enough watering to keep faith alive yet alone strengthen it.
Righteousness of Faith – Remember that righteousness is also more than the absence of evil and guilt. It means that God does not only declare us innocent, but righteous. Our sin is carried away as far as the east is from the west. We are washed clean. Though we were covered crimson red with sin we are now white as snow. “No sinner, and try he ever so hard, can possibly carry his own sins away and come back cleansed of guilt. No amount of money, no science, no inventive skill, no armies of millions, nor any other earthly power can carry away from the sinner one little sin and its guilt. Once it is committed, every sin and its guilt cling to the sinner as close as does his own shadow, cling to all eternity unless God carries them away.” (Lenski) Praise God, through Jesus Christ we have been washed clean, redeemed, and will one day live with Him forever in our new glorious and righteous bodies.
