A Commentary On Faith Continued
gtcotr/ws061406
Tonight we continue our commentary on faith, picking up where we left off last Wednesday evening in the book of Romans, Chapter 4.
Romans 4 & 5 (KJV)
17 ¶ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
As I said last week, the faith message got a bad name in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s as a ‘name it - claim it’, ‘it’s all about me’ message.
It appeared to some on the outside looking in, that faith people only cared about the promises in God’s word and not God Himself. They were seen as seeking the blessings of God more than the God of blessings. Although this was not true for the most part, nonetheless the faith message was written off by a large portion of believers as not solid doctrine.
Last week we looked at some of the misconceptions and misinterpretations of the doctrine of faith. One such inverted doctrine I call the:
* It Ain’t Dark Theology
The first lesson on faith was given by God Himself in the very beginning.
In Genesis 1:1-3
1. God acknowledged the situation as it was.
2. God considered what He wanted.
3. God spoke in faith.
God said, “let there be light.” He did not say, “It ain’t dark.”
This is what the Apostle Paul was confirming when he wrote to the believers in Rome and said that God called those things which be not as though they were. The clear reverse implication is that God did not call those things which were as though they were not!
Faith speaks above the circumstances and conditions of life, not denying their existence but denying their right to continue to exist.
Faith in action exercises the power to change current affairs. This is the testimony of Abraham who called himself the father of many nations for years before he ever had a child.
Romans 4
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
This is where we left off last Wednesday night … talking about Abraham’s strong faith even though his circumstances were to the contrary.
Romans 4
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
‘Giving glory to God’ means - giving credit to God. Give God some credit for being able to do miracles.
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Imputed means reckoned. Like the established fact that a bank account has been reconciled and the correct amount verified. That amount is the imputed amount, not supposed, not thought to be, not hoped for, but imputed. Righteousness is the undeniable result of completely trusting in God’s word as full and final say.
23 ¶ Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Those who believe on God Who raised up Jesus from the dead are reconciled to God by the righteousness which is imputed to them through that faith in God’s word.
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Romans 5
1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Justified - big word! Means: Just If I’d Never Sinned! This is the pathway to peace with God, justification by faith. Right with God!
2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Access by faith into this grace. This gives us the picture of the process of obtaining through faith.
Grace Provides
Hope Envisions
Faith Lays Hold On
Patience Possesses
Hebrews 6:12 tells us that it is through faith and patience we inherit
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
See, I told you that faith works. Faith works throughout the process of testing, tribulations, trials and temptations.
James 1 KJV
2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
How does faith work?
Galatians 5:6 Faith works by love
Philemon 6 Faith works by acknowledging every good thing which is already in you in Christ.
James 3:20 & 26 Faith works by application
