IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Abraham's Example is for Us

Date: Apr. 20, 2015

Passage

Romans 4:9-25  (ESV)

Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

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. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 4:23-24

But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,

First, the promise comes by faith (9-17). God credited Abraham with righteousness long before he gave him the gift of circumcision. Circumcision was a sign and seal of what Abraham had already received. Righteousness didn't come through obedience to the Law either. God's promise to Abraham was unconditional - Abraham simply believed what God had said and was credited with righteousness. If God's promise had depended on obedience to the Law, then it would have never been fulfilled! Instead, God's promise was given by grace and received by faith. God's promise of eternal life in Christ does not depend on anything we could possibly do, but is guaranteed to all who believe like Abraham. Its fulfillment is the work of God alone. Abraham is truly the father of anyone who accepts the wonderful grace of God by faith.

Second, the logic of faith (18-25). Abraham understood the physical reality of his situation very well - he was old and as good as dead and his wife Sarah was barren. But Abraham understood the spiritual reality as well. God Almighty, our omnipotent Creator, has the power to give life as He has promised. Our faith in God is well founded!

Prayer: Father, help us to receive your grace by faith alone.

One Word: God's promise comes by faith!

Daily Bread

The Church in Antioch

Acts 11:19-30

Key Verse: 11:26

and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

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