Abraham's Faith vs. Our Faith

Abraham’s Faith vs Our Faith

Romans 4:21-25

Abraham believed the promises of God despite never actually seeing evidence of the promises fulfilled.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.Hebrews 11:13

Abraham had faith in what God would do.

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;Romans 4:20

We must have faith in what God has done through Jesus.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.Romans 10:9-10

Abraham was fully persuaded by God’s promise, so he was justified.

We must be fully persuaded by God’s promise to be justified.

Abraham was imputed the righteousness of Jesus by faith.

We are imputed the righteousness of Jesus by faith.

God’s Word has been preserved to testify of God’s trustworthiness and faithfulness.

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.Romans 4:3

For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:Psalm 78:5-7

God’s Word has been preserved to testify of God’s desire to redeem and care for His people.

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.1 Corinthians 10:11

Our salvation is found completely in the finished work of Jesus on the cross and his bodily resurrection from the grave. This is the Gospel.

Never forget that Jesus was delivered up, taken into custody and put to death for our offences.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.Isaiah 53:5-6

It is not that faith merits salvation, but that faith accepts salvation from God’s gracious hand.

“Christ’s death is the death of sin, and his resurrection is the raising up of righteousness. For by his death Christ has atoned for our sins, and through his resurrection he has procured for us righteousness. Christ’s death does not merely signify, but has effected the remission of our sins. Christ’s resurrection is not merely the pledge of our righteousness, but also its cause.”, Martin Luther