“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…”
(Romans 4:16 ESV)
In the month of October,
we celebrate the Reformation. Specifically, October 31st is
recognized as Reformation Day. We do so because this date marks the beginning
of the attempt of Martin Luther to reform the Catholic Church.
One of the primary tenets
of the Reformation is the fact that we are saved by the grace of God alone. And
this grace is received through faith in Christ alone. Our efforts and our own
perceived goodness, in other words, play no role in it whatsoever.
This is a great comfort to
us. However, although we know the gospel, we revert naturally back the law,
seeking our salvation. We depend, once again, upon the works of the law to
attain for us the forgiveness of our sins. And it’s our sinful nature that leads
us to do so.
It leads us to depend upon
ourselves, rather than Christ, to gain the mercy we so desperately need. And the
result of this is that we have no peace. The result of this is that we have no
assurance of salvation.
As we trust in the law and
our obedience to it, we can never know if we’re good enough, or if we’ve done
enough, to satisfy the righteous requirements of God. This, then, leaves us in
a state of doubt. It leaves us in a state of uncertainty. It leaves us worried,
that we may be found to have fallen short.
It does so because, in
that case, there is no guarantee. There’s no sense of security. And there’s no
confidence when it comes to our life in eternity.
Paul, in the fourth
chapter of Romans, addresses this. And he reminds us that the promise of God,
given to Abraham and his offspring, came not through the law. It came, rather,
through the righteousness of faith.
This promise, in other
words, was not dependent upon Abraham or his obedience. Nor was it dependent
upon the obedience of the people. It was, from first to last, the work of God.
As we see above, in verse
16, this leaves no room for question or doubt. And it provides to us the
assurance of our salvation. Since it depends on faith, he says, since it rests
on grace, it is guaranteed to all his offspring.
In this case, the promise
of God is sure. It’s confirmed. It’s valid, steadfast, and certain.
And, as he refers to
Abraham’s offspring, he’s not merely talking about those who are physically
descended from Abraham. He says that it does so for those who share the faith
of Abraham. It’s talking, you see, about you and me.
By faith, we have the
guarantee of God’s blessing. By faith, his blessing is sure. By faith we know
that what he’s promised to us is certain.
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