Maintaining A Strong Faith

Romans 4:20-21 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

As we look at verses 19-21 there are some important insights to maintaining a strong faith.
1. not consider your own body (physical limitations)
2. vs.20 not waver at GOD'S promise through unbelief. GOD'S promises will be attacked and unbelief can creep in if you allow it.
3. vs.20 strengthen in faith by giving glory to GOD. Often or faith needs to be strengthened, the best way to do this is to say focused on GOD and HIS glory.
4. vs.21 fully convinced that GOD can do it. Once our eyes are on GOD you can be fully convinced. When our eyes are on self, or the probability we loose sight.


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Belief When it Seems Impossible

Romans 4:18-19 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be." 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb.

Abraham believed even when it seems impossible.

When you read of this story in Genesis 17 Abraham does discuss with GOD, Sarah and his old age. Abraham is contend with Ishmael but GOD say's "NO" not Ishmael the product of the flesh rather Isaac a miracle baby. The product of and old dead womb being brought back to life.

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How To Have Impossible Faith

Romans 4:17 (as it is written, "I (god) have made you a father (ABRAHAM) of many nations") in the presence of Him (god) whom he (ABRAHAM) believed; God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;

Rewind: In Romans Chapter 3 the main subject is justification by faith not law or works. In Chapter 4 Paul used Abraham as his main Biblical character to prove his point showing Abraham was justified because he believed before the law and circumcision. Showing that the justification came from GOD’S grace not something Abraham deserved.

Now Paul moves the emphasis to faith. SOMETHING ABRAHAM DID NEED TO HAVE.

Romans 4:17 is Quoting Genesis17:5.

Abraham was 99 yrs. old when God promised another child, Isaac. GOD'S promise seemed impossible, in the physical it was impossible, just like the promise of Jesus coming back from the dead.

NOW WE’LL SEE HOW TO HAVE IMPOSSIBLE FAITH.

1ST it is important to know this about GOD. He calls those things which do not exist as though they did; remember from GOD'S prospective the past and future can be seen at the same time, so HE can see things done before they ever came to us.

This is difficult for some to understand. I like using a Parade Analogy. IT IS LIKE A BLIMP OR HELICOPTER SEEING THE ORDER OF THE PARADE, FLOAT BY FLOAT, FROM THE SKY. WHEN THOSE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD CAN ONLY SEE THE FLOATS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THEM.


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Justification By Faith

Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, (JEWS) but also to those who are of the faith (GENTILES) of Abraham, who is the father of us all

Faith so that GRACE may prevail. Rather then law so that the WRATH may prevail or circumcision so that WORKS may prevail.

The promise is to all who accept justification by faith. That makes Abraham your father and you part of his seed. If you’ll accept this method of justification.


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Faith Brings Justification

Romans 4:14-15 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect,15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

The law does NOT bring justification it brings "wrath" or judgment. Basically the opposite.

Faith brings justification the Law brings the need for justification.

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Righteousness of Faith

Romans 4:13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

The promise was made to Abraham long before Moses ever wrote the law.

Therefore Abraham’s seeds would be those who will accept righteousness through faith as he did.

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Circumcision Cannot Save--Only Faith Can

Romans 4:12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.

Paul makes clear that circumcision cannot save--only faith can. God never wanted a person to have an object or one time act, (like circumcision or saying a sinners prayer) to be their confirmation in GOD'S ability to justify.

GOD simply wanted our confirmation to be in the fact that you believe you can come to him. Weather you have been good or bad you can still come.

With faith as the only necessary ingredient there would be no reason a person couldn't come to GOD no matter what may have happened.

Isaiah 1:18 " Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

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Confirm the Reality of Faith

Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also,

Circumcision served as God's seal to Abraham that he was righteous.

It was an after product to confirm the reality of faith. The Holy Spirit enters our heart after salvation as a seal or confirmation.

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He Accounted It To Him For Righteousness.

Romans 4:10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.

Paul mentions in verse 10 that Abraham's righteousness by faith preceded his circumcision.

In Genesis 15:6 we are told, And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

again in Genesis 17:24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Pauls is trying to show that you can't add circumcision, or keeping the law for justification. These are TWO THINGS THAT THE JEWS TRIED TO ADD.

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Justification Is For All People

Romand 4:9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness.

Once again Paul is pointing out that this justification is for all people not just the Jews. And that you can't add anything to faith to merit justification.

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Blessed Are the Forgiven

Romans 4:7-8 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin."

"Blessed" Oh how happy.Quoting Psalms 32 1-2.David had been trying to hide his sins going through the misery that comes with that. Psalm 32 is how good it is to come clean before GOD.

5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

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Righteousness Apart From Works

Romans 4:6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

Paul doesn’t just use Abraham as proof but also David.

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Outward Expression of Our Love

Romans 4:5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,

That is, "to him who does not work" for justification? Something satan would love to get us all involved in. This is why different 'so called' Christain Cults are so busy knocking at doors; they are convinced that they must earn their justification.

DON'T MISUNDERSTAND - Being justified doesn't mean we do nothing; we should be His own special people, zealous for good works. (Titus 2:14) But not to merit something rather as a way of saying thank-you and confirming that GOD is working in me to will and do of HIS good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13). It is or should be an outward expression of our love to GOD.

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Unmerited Favor

Romans 4:4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

Wages have nothing to do with grace (unmerited favor) but with what is due.

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Justified By Faith

Romans 4:1-3 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Paul continues in chapeter 4 to support his point made in ch.3 that people can ONLY be justified by faith apart from the law. He uses Abraham, to prove his point, Abraham the 1st to receive the promise.

A SURE FOUNDATION TO ANY Jew.

By using Abraham Paul can show that justification by faith is not a new concept, at all.

Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. This clearly tells us that ABRAHAM was justified by faith, not by works.

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We Establish The Law

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

We establish the law why because without the law there is no knowledge of SIN.

We establish the law by using it to point people to JESUS

When someone understands GOD’S plan of salvation they see that the Law & Prophets points us to JESUS.

They see a picture of JESUS.
Seeing JESUS as the Passover lamb.
Seeing JESUS as the GREAT “I AM”
Seeing JESUS as the subject matter in the writings of the prophets.

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There Is Only One God

Romans 3:29-30 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

Since there is only one GOD. That one GOD will have to be GOD over all people not just Jews.

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Justfied By Faith

Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

Paul continues on his debate about justifaction throught faith, he points out again how Man is Justified by faith, not by following the law - AMEN

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Where Is Boasting Then?

Romans 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith

One of the great things about GOD'S plan is there is no room for personal boasting. We can freely receive salvation by placing our faith in JESUS, not on our own merit.

This way the attention will be put on GOD & JESUS not anything or any one else.

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Where Is Your Faith?

Romans 3:26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

at the present time as opposed to Old Testement times. GOD'S righteousness is revealed, by being the just and the justifier of anyone who has their faith in JESUS.
Not just believing that Jesus existed but also accepting HIM and HIS teachings by being a follower of HIM.

No one will stand before GOD based on their own merit, but will stand based on where they put their faith.

If our faith is in our deeds we'll lose.

If our faith is in some law we'll lose.

If our faith is in giving we'll lose.

If our faith is in anything other then JESUS we'll lose.

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Payment For Sins

Romans 3:25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,

propitiation = atoning victim or mercy seat. The BLOOD of JESUS became or atoning victim or PAYMENT for the sins.

GOD did this to demonstrate HIS righteousness (justification) by providing a "pass over of sins" or removal of sins.

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