Scripture
Romans 4: 18-23 “When God promised Abraham that he would become the father of many nations, Abraham believed him. God had also said, Your descendants will be as numerous as the stars, even though such a promises seemed utterly impossible! And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though he knew that he was too old to be a father at the age of one hundred and that Sarah, his wife, had never been able to have children. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger and in this he brought glory to God. He was absolutely convinced that God was able to do anything he promised. And because of Abraham’s faith, God declared him to be righteous.”
Observation
I am thoroughly convinced we that we have a doctrine of grace and lifestyle of legalism. It is so much a part of human nature to try to earn our answers to prayer that it is difficult to live a simple life of faith, yet that is exactly the life the Bible teaches. We accept the fact that we are saved by faith but then we try to earn everything else. That is not Christianity. Christianity is based on faith. We are not only saved by faith but we live by faith. Abraham is our example. He is called the father of faith. He had faith even though:
1) The circumstances were impossible. He and Sarah were too old to have children.
2) He did not receive the promise immediately. After God gave them the promise of a child, they had to wait several years before Sarah became pregnant. Abraham’s faith did not weaken during this waiting period but grew stronger. That is great faith.
3) Because Abraham believed God he was declared righteous and received that which God promised.
This is how we are supposed to live. We do not earn answers to prayer. We cannot purchase God’s blessing. We are saved by faith and we walk (live) by faith.
Application
I live by faith. I accept God at his word. I trust in his character. The promised that are in God’s Word are true because God is faithful. I can believe and receive those promises. The promises I have received through prophetic words or given to me by the Holy Spirit in prayer are true because they are backed by God’s character. I do not have to earn the promises. I cannot work my way to answered prayer. Everything is received by faith. I will live by faith alone. The things I do for God are not to earn his love, favor, or answers to prayer. They are an overflow of my love for him. I want to please him not for what I can get out of it but because I love him. I do the spiritual disciplines not to earn his favor and answers to prayer but because I want to know him and become like him. I obey him not out of fear but out of love.
Prayer
Father, enable me to live what I teach. I want to live by faith and not works. I don’t want to try to earn your love, favor, and answers to prayer. That is a miserable way to live. I want to walk by faith. Obey out of love and live for your pleasure. It is two totally opposite ways of living life. One leads to freedom and liberty. The other leads to bondage and frustration. I choose freedom and liberty!!!
