Romans 4:18-25

Romans 4:18-25  Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”  Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.  Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.  This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”  The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.  He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Abraham believed God would be able to do what seemed to be impossible and this is why this belief was credited to him as righteousness.  This is the same situation that exists for those who believe in Jesus Christ today.  In the sight of God, the righteousness required to be justified is credited to all who have faith in Christ.  It is the righteousness of Christ that is credited to us and not that we are actually righteous because of faith.  Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.  Faith is the instrument we use to take hold of justification not the cause of our justification.