I almost cringe as I think back to some of the things said about him at our men’s study just a few weeks ago. I guess it’s kind of easy to be an “arm chair quarterback” when it comes to scrutinizing the walk and decisions of others. To be sure, there were some decisions he made that causes you to shake your head and mutter, “What was he thinking?” There was more than one instance of him coming up with his own “plan B” because he couldn’t figure out how God was going to pull off God’s “plan A.” But as I read Romans 4 this morning, this divine commentary on Abraham, the father of faith, I’m reminded of what an example he is . . . reminded of the trail he blazed . . . stirred as I see the gospel played out in this Ancient . . .

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:3, 20-22 ESV)

Faith, says the writer to the Hebrews, is the substance, or the assurance, of the things hoped for . . . it is the evidence, the conviction, of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). Or, as Paul would say of Abraham, it is being fully convinced that God is able to do what God has promised.

Promise . . . when you think about it, it’s all about promise. The promise of sins forgiven . . . the promise of new life imparted . . . the promise of transformation . . . the promise of one day being in His presence . . . and the list goes on. It’s about a work that God has started and that He promises He will complete (Php. 1:6) . . . it’s about a walk that God has called us to that He has promises He will enable us for . . . it’s about a way that runs counter to the world around us that He promises will serve as a witness of the manifold grace and wisdom of God to a world in darkness. And so we submit to the work . . . and try to walk the talk . . . and seek to follow the way . . . because of a promise . . . and because we are fully convinced God is able.

Abraham reminds us that it’s not about our ability . . . not about our performance . . . not about how right we get it the first time . . . but, at its core, it’s about what we believe concerning the Promiser. Abraham was promised an heir . . . but time passed . . . and nothing. He was getting old . . . Sarah’s womb was barren . . . sure, there were some misguided attempts at taking matters into their own hands, but even that was because they believed the promise. They did not waver concerning the promise . . . what they needed to realize was that God was able. And so, the longer they waited, the more they had to depend on God to fulfill the promise, the stronger their faith grew . . . giving glory to God — for He alone could bring life to a dead womb . . . they had to be fully convinced that God was able to do what He promised . . . and that, says Paul, is why faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”

Keep the faith . . . might sound like one of those pat answers that some say doesn’t cut it . . . I’m thinking it does.

Oh, to be fully convinced that God is able. To rest not on my efforts but on His all sufficient grace alone. To keep on keepin’ on . . . not because I’ve got it all figured out, or because it’s all going my way, . . . but because I am sure that God will make good on what He has said (MSG) . . . that I am fully persuaded that what God has promised, He will perform (KJV).

And to those who believe, righteousness is imputed. To those who believe, righteousness is imparted. Really? Yeah, really. He promised!

It will be counted to us who believe in Him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (Romans 4:24-25 ESV)

Fully convinced . . . by His grace . . . for His glory!