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In Romans 4:18-25 Paul elaborates on what Abraham’s faith in the promise was like as an example of what our faith should be like in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Is a strong child equal in strength to a strong man?
(Martyn Lloyd Jones)
No, the child is weaker.
So then, is the child weak?
No.
There are degrees of strength
There are degrees of strength…so also there are degrees of faith.
Which implies degrees of weakness, which we would not call being weak, but not being strong enough yet.
Though there may be steady growth and strengthening in physical development...
There will still be moments of weakness, inability, times of not being strong enough for something.
We would not call that individual weak.
In fact, we might call them strong if they are usually strong enough.
So also, there are degrees of faith as well (Matthew 14:31; Matthew 15:28; 2 Corinthians 10:15; 2 Thessalonians 1:3).
This is how Abraham can be an example of strong faith, and yet still have room for strengthening in faith.
So then we can identify weak moments of faith in Abraham’s life (Genesis 17:17), and yet still see his life as an example of strong faith, as Paul does here.
Example: Abraham
Because he is “the father of all who believe” (4:11).
Paul relates Abraham's...
Accounting to us (4:1-12).
Promise to us (4:13-17).
Faith to us (4:18-25).
Abraham’s Faith Described and Applied (vv.
18-25)
What was Abraham’s faith like?
What was Abraham’s faith in?
By way of example to us - what is faith?
Our faith can be like Abraham’s faith...
Though different in degree.
How does Paul describe Abraham’s faith?
(vv.
18-21)
“In hope he believed against hope” (v.
18)
He expected, though there were reasons not to expect.
What did he expect?
The promise (Genesis 15:5).
So Abraham’s faith was not deterred by potential reasons not to believe.
“He did not weaken” (v.
19)
His faith did not significantly diminish overall.
Though there was need for growth in faith (this will be balanced with v. 20).
He did acknowledge that it was humanly impossible for he and Sarah to naturally conceived and bare a son (Genesis 17:17).
Though he may have had a weak moment of faith, he did not stay that way - he did not weaken overall.
“No unbelief made him waver…but he grew strong” (v.
20)
“Waver” - to be at odds with oneself, uncertain between opposing judgments
It does not say that he had no unbelief.
He did not go back and forth...
Abraham “grew strong in faith” as apposed to “weaken in faith” (v.
19).
He increased in faith - it is passive - he was enabled to believe more
Genuine faith is growing faith - faith that is of God will be built up by God.
Likely, the last phrase means that, IN THIS...he gave glory to God
He exalted God, he looked to God, he responded with confidence in God.
God deserves the glory for the promise and for the faith.
“Fully convinced” (v.
21)
He was completely assured or certain that God was able to do what He said he would do.
This is where Abraham landed or settled after considering counter arguments.
How does this apply to our faith?
(vv.
22-25)
We can have the same faith (vv.
22-24).
That is why it is recorded - for us who believe
Though maybe different degrees.
There is a fundamental confidence in God
Faith despite objections
Faith that is growing
However, it is not just faith in God in general.
We have the same object (vv.
24-25).
Who Jesus is.
What Jesus did.
How it applies to me - it is what I need and want
This is what we should believe.
This is the crucial consideration - FAITH IN WHAT?
What did Abraham believe about the promise that would be fulfilled in Jesus?
What do you believe about Jesus who is the fulfillment of the promise?
(Galatians 3:16)
Growth is a sign of life.
How can you have growing faith?
Feed your faith.
Abraham’s faith was fed by God’s word to him.
Our faith can be fed by God word to us.
Benediction: Romans 11:33–36 “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be glory forever.
Amen.”
Scripture Reading: Genesis 17
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