God’s testimony of you — Romans 4:21–22

‘And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. ‘ — Romans 4:21–22

This scripture explores the righteousness by faith in Christ — which was also experienced by Abraham long before the law came (it was also acknowledged by David — see verse 6); we won’t be looking into this today, instead, we’ll be exploring what God’s testimony of Abraham was and how this affects us.

‘For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord , to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. ‘ — Genesis 18:19

The summary of that passage is this: God said “Abraham is faithful to me & I know this because I have proven him”.

God’s Expectation

God is our Father (John 1:12, Galatians 3:26); as our Father, He has expectations of us that have been communicated in the scriptures:

‘That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: ‘ — Ephesians 4:14–15

You may ask, how do we achieve this? We do so by staying in Him & growing in Him.

‘But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? ‘ — Galatians 4:9

Not by works

One thing we need to have clear here is this: growing into Him cannot be achieved by our strength, but by a leaning of our whole being on Him.

‘For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.’ — Hebrews 4:15–16

You need to also understand that Abraham also had his flaws — recall what he did due to fear of Abimelech & his people (Genesis 20:1–18) — from the scriptures, you can see that he grew in God to a point where this was said:

‘By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. ‘ — Hebrews 11:17–19

What should we do?

We need to become more and more like Him and leave behind sin. As we continue in Him, we have less & less desire for sin. To become more like God, we have to constantly study His words so we see more of Him.

‘Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ‘ — Philippians 3:12–14

‘We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. ‘ — 1 John 5:18

‘We are convinced that everyone fathered by God does not make sinning a way of life, because the Son of God protects the child of God, and the Evil One cannot touch him. ‘ 1 John 5:18 (TPT)

‘My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: ‘ — 1 John 2:1

‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ‘ — 2 Timothy 2:15

‘But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.’ — 2 Corinthians 3:18

‘But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. ‘ — James 1:22,25

Action for today

Pray this Pauline prayer:

‘And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; ‘ — Philippians 1:9–10