It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received THE PROMISE that he would be heir of the world, but THROUGH the RIGHTEOUSNESS that comes BY FAITH. For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. (Emphasis mine)
-Parallel verses:
Genesis 15:1-6
After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
The Promise is important and this is it: God promised Abraham a son. This promise still stood when Abraham and his wife were well beyond child-bearing years. And God expanded the promise to include offspring as numerous as the stars in the sky. Later in this passage, He also promises him a promised land to live on. Abraham received this promise through righteousness. He lived a life “right with God”. He sought out God’s heart in life and followed him. The result of this righteousness was a strong faith in God. When Abraham acted in obedience to God’s calling on his life and his commands, he experienced not only a crediting of righteousness by God, but also a stronger faith to trust God with his whole life in the future, no matter the obstacle. He trusted God for the impossible, and THE IMPOSSIBLE WAS MADE POSSIBLE by God and his mighty power.
From this heritage of faith, we, as Abraham’s sons and daughters, live in a faith that responds by believing God. God credits this as righteousness to us too, through the shed blood of his Son, Jesus Christ. The law pointed out our sin. Jesus’ sacrifice ushered in a righteousness by faith, through grace. And so, when we humbly bring our broken lives to His throne and surrender to His Lordship and His will; He makes out of us something beautiful, something good. He transforms our weak and sinful hearts into hearts that have a passion and vibrancy in life. Hearts willing to take risks because they trust the one who has promised them eternal life. Hearts set on an eternal adventure!
Thank you Lord for THE PROMISE you made to Abraham! You are always faithful to deliver on your promises. Teach me to obey you each day, to trust you with my family, my career, my possessions — really with all my life. You will not disappoint me. You always deliver on your promises! With my confidence squarely in you, I await my next spiritual adventure!
