Devotion 6.5.26

Romans 4

"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,...."

"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."

Jesus is the fulfillment of the grace we enjoy and the fulfillment of the promise of grace that was given to those who came before him.

My family, our daughter and son (both 33), his wife, and grandbaby still not born but soon, and my wife and I recently went to Red River, NM. We've loved going there for about 10 years now. I noticed this time a different theme in their marketing - 8750' . That's how high they are above sea level. You see that on a lot of things - 8750. Our elevation in Lubbock is 3300' (appx), and I grew up in Houston which is at 20' (on a good day). In Red River, you get an opportunity to see the earth in a different way.

Paul is doing what great teachers do when teaching a concept that is difficult: give the learner a bird's eye view. See the concept and move in on it slowly.

From 8750', we hear and learn: Jesus died for our sins. He is our salvation through faith. Those who came before us had the covenant (mentioned in these devotions frequently, especially in a psalm) called "steadfast love." That covenant was given to Abraham, that through his seed God would form a great nation. This great nation would deliver a messiah.

As we move slowly in, we hear and learn: Why is Paul so painstakingly teaching this concept to the Roman church? Misinformation, misunderstanding, and not getting the basics. It's important when starting in something to start simply, anchor it to something you understand, and move out from there.

God loves us. He has promised to deliver us from evil and sin since the fall. His plan, a promise given to Abraham, has come to fulfillment in Christ. Christ is the source of our salvation through his suffering, death and resurrection and faith in him. This faith is given to us freely.

What kind of misinformation or misunderstanding is Paul dealing with? You have to earn it, or do something to please God (basic, 8750' level). No, even our fathers like Abraham had the promise, and now we have Christ. Faith in that promise and now Christ is all we need to be justified in him. It is that simple. 

But...? Not if's, and's, or but's... It is that simple. We can and will drill down later, but for now, let's see this from a "bird's eye view."

Gracious God, Help us in our times of misunderstanding and as we teach your truth to others. Help us to teach your Word to the person where they are and grow it from there. In your Son's name, Amen.

Hope Men's Ministry is a ministry in service to Hope Lutheran Church and School. Our purpose is to grow, unite, and share God's Word to all men through meaningful activities. These activities center on fellowship, service, conversation, prayer, study and devotion as we seek to become men of God as He created us to be.