Daily Manna: Faith, Not Adherence To Law

Saturday, May 25, 2013

TEXT: ROMANS 4:13-25

Key Verse : " He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Romans 4:20)."

Kent Hughes related a story of a man who expressed fear when he wanted to cross the frozen St. Lawrence River in Canada. He was not sure whether the ice could hold him and, to satisfy his curiosity, he placed his hand firmly on the frozen river. In spite of this confirmation, the man could not muster the required faith to cross the river. He began to shuffle across the ice on his knees, still trembling with fear. Even when a team of horses later pulled a carriage and made their way through the river, the man remained transfixed with fear.

Quite unlike this man, our text today pointed to Abraham as a man who expressed a unique faith in God’s promises of strength, guidance, wisdom and provision. God’s promise to Abraham that he would inherit the world was fulfilled, not through the law but through his absolute faith in Him. Though he and his wife, Sarah, had a challenge in giving birth to children, he was certain that God’s promises would never fail.

The law, according to our text, works wrath, empties faith and nullifies the promise. But faith in God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense (GRACE) alone brings fulfilment of His promises to all descendants of Abraham. Therefore, we must trust in Christ as our Lord and Saviour to obtain salvation and other Christian experiences.

As a descendant of Abraham, there are bountiful blessings for you to claim by faith. Unbelief swells the bank of unclaimed dividends of Christ’s death and resurrection. When you follow the example of Abraham and draw nearer to God by faith, you will obtain divine strength to overcome all the challenges of life and carry out great exploits for Him.


Thought for the Day : Have faith in God.