What does faith look like?
17[Abraham] is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. 18Against 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.” 19Without 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. 20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Romans 4:17b-25 (NIV)
We often admire Abraham’s faith as a monumental example in scripture. But what was it about his faith that made it so remarkable? Romans 4:17-25 offers a glimpse into the inner workings of Abraham’s belief, showcasing not just its strength, but also its foundation and practical outworking.
Abraham understood two profound truths about God: 1) He gives life to the dead, and 2) He calls things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:17). In other words, Abraham believed in God’s resurrection power even before it was explicitly revealed, and he grasped God’s ability to bring the future to pass. This “big” view of God became the bedrock of his faith.
But Abraham wasn’t blind to the obstacles before him. He was acutely aware of his and Sarah’s advanced age, and the biological impossibility of having a child at that stage in life. He also wrestled with the sheer magnitude of God’s promise – a lineage as vast as the stars, a blessing for all nations – could it truly be possible?
Here’s where Abraham’s faith truly shines. He didn’t ignore the facts. He didn’t take a blind leap of faith. Instead, he weighed the seemingly insurmountable human impossibility against the unwavering trustworthiness of God. And he chose to believe that God, being God, could do anything. But Abraham’s faith didn’t stop there. He actively participated in the fulfillment of God’s promise by having relations with Sarah, demonstrating that true faith always leads to obedience and practical action.
This is where we learn from Abraham. Biblical faith isn’t about denying reality or shutting down reason. It’s about acknowledging the challenges, even the seemingly impossible, and choosing to trust in God’s power and promises above all else. But it’s also about stepping out in obedience to do what God has called us to do, even when the way forward seems unclear or daunting.
Like Abraham, we may face situations where the odds are stacked against us, where the promises seem too good to be true. But Abraham’s example reminds us that with God, nothing is impossible, and that genuine faith always leads to obedient action. Let’s cultivate a “big” view of God, weigh our worries against His unfailing love, and embrace the audacious faith that not only believes but also obeys, trusting that God’s power will be made perfect in our faithful action.
Abraham’s faith led him to active obedience, even when the way forward seemed unclear. In what ways might God be calling you to step out in faith and obedience, even if you can’t see the full picture?
[The ideas for this week’s materials on Romans 4:1-25 were drawn from Kent Hughes’ book “Romans: Righteousness from Heaven” ]
The question today made me think back to when I first got sober- this last time. The girls had just been taken into custody by CPS, and I was homeless. I remember how daunting and impossible the task set before me seemed to be. How in the world would a homeless dope fiend like me ever get to a place stable enough to be able to get my kids back with me? The mountain of obstacles that stood in the way of that seemed insurmountable. I also remember beginning the twelve step program, and wondering how those twelve steps would help with my very real, practice issues. Turn my will and my life over to the care of God? That sounded nice, but I needed a home. But I was told to trust the process, and take it one step at a time, one day at a time. And, at that point in my life, I was just desperate enough to do it. And, little by little, (and even in some ways rather quickly,) this dead man began to experience a new life, and everything else just fell into its right place. This experience strengthened my faith, and I began to recognize, as Abraham did, that God is the One “who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.” I wish I could say as I should that from that point on I remained perfectly obedient in my faith, but I will say that He has remained perfectly faithful, and I know today that God will do as He says He will, no matter how things may seem.
The circumstances that let me to the here and now seem to me at least to be unusual or even miraculous. Something beyond my imagination and definitely not somethings I had planned for myself.
I am not sure how to navigate my current situation and what the end result would be. I trust the Lord will not forsaken me because I truly believe His love is the only true love. His love is unconditional despite my failings. All other humans love are conditional even if not otherwise stated. So I trust that He places me here and now for to fulfill some redemptive work. I am uncertain of my role in it or even if I am to play an active role or if I’m only to observe. Regardless I intend to consult with the Lord and wait for His sign and pray for His will to be done.
I do think that He is challenging me to love as He does. To extend love that is unconditional despite human’s failings. Loving this way free me from accounting and purify the act instead of tainting and souring it with unmet expectations.