Meditation on the Text of the Week.

We Are Of Our Father, Abraham

For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”) in the sight of Him whom be believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.
Romans 4: 16,17

In this passage Paul is demonstrating from Scripture that Abraham is the father of all believers, both Jews who believe upon Christ, and Gentiles who believe upon Christ. As such, Abraham is our example; we are to be cast after his type. What happened to him, says Paul, is not just for his sake, but it was also for us (verse 24). Both Abraham and we believe: and, consequently, to both Abraham and us, God reckons us as righteous in His sight.

Now, two questions are begged. In Whom did Abraham believe? And, what did he believe about Him? The answers are easily forthcoming. Abraham believed that the One speaking to Him was (and is) the Lord God Almighty (Genesis 17:1). He is the One who is the all powerful, all governing, all controlling, and all conditioning God. Secondly, Abraham believed that what God promised to him would most certainly come to pass.

God promised Abraham that he would bear a son, and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the heavens and the sand on the sea shore, and that he would be the father of many, many nations. According to Paul, this meant in short that Abraham was promised by the Almighty that he would inherit the entire world. (Romans 4:13). Abraham believed Him.

Incidentally, this means that the current pre-occupation and fascination amongst some Christians over the land of Israel is misdirected. Israel was never the end-game of history. The world is. The Servant of God makes this abundantly clear in Isaiah 49:6. The salvation of God was ever to extend to all humanity, all mankind; Israel was just the foretaste and the beginning. The salvation of Israel was too small a matter. “I will also make you a light to the nations (Gentiles), so that my salvation may be to the end of the earth.”

Now, Abraham had no evidence, no empirical data, that this would ever take place. In fact, all the empirical data showed that it would never occur. His body was as good as dead, being one hundred years old. Sarah, his wife, was long past the age of child bearing. (Romans 4: 19). But Abraham believed in the God Who gives life to the dead and Who calls into being that which does not exist. (verse 17) When God is the One who creates ex-nihilo—out of nothing—current and historical empirical data is completely irrelevant. God is able to raise up sons of Abraham from stones, if it pleases Him. (Luke 2:8)

This is the faith that saves by grace. It believes God, all empirical evidence to the contrary, because God brings life and matter into existence out of nothing. Empirical evidence is utterly and completely irrelevant to the matter at hand. Justifying or saving faith believes in God, and therefore believes that what He promises will surely and infallibly come to pass—all creaturely, rational, empirical evidence notwithstanding.

We, in our day, have far more empirical data and evidence to warrant our belief in God and His promises. After all, we have seen how Isaac was born; how Abraham's descendants grew into a great nation; how Messiah came forth and atoned for the sins of His people; how He rose again from the dead and ascended into heaven to subdue all enemies on the earth under His feet; how thousands upon thousands of missionaries and preachers are proclaiming His Gospel and His Kingdom in every continent; and how millions upon millions of Christians profess descent from Abraham, their father in faith.

All this empirical data surrounds us and testifies to us daily. Yet, so many doubt that God's salvation shall be to the uttermost part of the earth and shall embrace the entire world. Why? Well, contrary empirical evidence. See how the tides of Unbelief run strong. Consider the horror of abortion—the sacrament of the pagan West. Recall the rise of Islam. Reflect on crime, drugs, wars, the breakdown of marriage. We could go on—for a long, long time.

But—and this is the point—it is all irrelevant. This current empirical data has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the fulfillment of God's promises, for He calls into being that which does not yet exist. True faith, saving faith says not only that God can transform New Zealand into a thoroughly Christian nation, but that He will. For He has declared that it will be so. Therefore, it must be so. And we, like our father, type, and example—Abraham—must not waver in unbelief, but must grow strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that what He has promised, He is able also to perform (verse 20, 21).

To God alone be the glory.