Journey to Jerusalem Day 16

Thursday, March 12 Romans 4:13-17
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. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
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, 17 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.

Did you know you are an offspring of Abraham and that he is your father? How can that be you ask? Abraham lived thousands of years ago! Our verses today tell us: through the promise given to Abraham that he would be the father of us all.
When you meet a Christian in Israel, they say ”welcome home.” They understand that we are children of Abraham through our faith. There is warmth in their welcome.
The promise given to Abraham was that he would be “heir of the world” by his faith and trust in God. You see Abraham and all believers in God after him gain the inheritance of eternal life not by keeping the law, which we could never do, but by faith in God’s promise.
For if we could do anything through our own works to earn our salvation then what good is our faith? Our verses today answer clearly: “null.” We, like Abraham, must put our trust in the promises of God to receive his unmerited gift of grace.
God promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, and that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him. That promise was fulfilled through Jesus Christ who is from Abraham’s line.
When we put our faith in the One who saves us, we become part of the family of Abraham. Then we receive the truly comforting words “welcome home.”

Father, thank you for the promise you gave to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations not by works but by trust and faith in you. Help us Lord to completely trust in you for our salvation and hold dear that our faith in you “gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” Amen.