Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 197
4:18–5:14
R o ma n s
185
Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—
b elieving that he would become the father of many nations. For God had
said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham’s
faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his
body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.
Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith
grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced
that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s
faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit,
too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in
him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed
over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right
with God.
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have
peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved
privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know
that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength
of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly
God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts
with his love.
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and
died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an
upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a
person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by
sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have
been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly
save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was
restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will
certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our
wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has
made us friends of God.
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so
death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Yes, people sinned even
before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was
not yet any law to break. Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to
