Righteousness Credited

“Against hope Abraham believed in hope with the result that he became the father of many nations according to the pronouncement, “so will your descendants be.” Without being weak in faith, he considered his own body as dead (because he was about 100 years old) and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver in unbelief about the promise of God but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God. He was fully convinced that what God promised he was also able to do. So indeed it was credited to Abraham as righteousness. But the statement it was credited to him was not written only for Abraham’s sake, but also for our sake, to whom it will be credited, those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification.”  Romans 4:18-25 NET

The New Century Version articulates powerfully: “There was no hope that Abraham would have children. But Abraham believed God and continued to hope.” This illustrates an incredible reality—“against hope, Abraham believed.” Abraham’s unwavering faith was firmly anchored in God’s promises, even though he was well beyond the typical age for fatherhood, and he and his wife Sarah faced the biological impossibility of having children. His conviction was so profound that he didn’t merely accept these promises; he actively embraced them, allowing them to become his reality.

Nothing could shake his steadfast belief—neither the years of waiting nor the doubts that might arise from those around him. Furthermore, Abraham was not just a passive recipient of God’s promises; he and Sarah navigated life’s challenges as nomads in an arid desert landscape, finding sustenance and prosperity in their faith. Throughout this journey, God frequently engaged with Abraham, manifesting His presence to affirm and reinforce Abraham’s significance in the divine plan. These encounters deepened Abraham’s trust and commitment, making him a pivotal figure in the unfolding story of faith and promise.

The phrase “it was credited to him” serves a dual purpose; it was not written solely for Abraham, but also holds profound significance for us today. When we place our faith in Jesus, the One who suffered and died on our behalf, we embody a living connection to Abraham’s faith journey. We, too, entrust ourselves to the God who transcends our human limitations—who has manifested His deep love for us in astonishing ways that reach far beyond the natural world, inviting us into a spiritual reality.

God earnestly seeks our complete trust, encouraging us to release our preconceived ideas about how to earn or please His favor. He challenges us to step back and allow Him to demonstrate His incredible power and grace when we surrender. His desire is to unveil His glory through acts that not only exalt His presence but also reveal His character as loving, faithful, and capable of the impossible.

However, our doubts and fears often get in the way of His work. We may hesitate to relinquish control, believing we can manage our lives better. This is precisely why God calls us to surrender—to trust Him completely so that He can take complete control and display His might, ultimately receiving all the credit for the remarkable works He accomplishes in and through us. By letting go, we open ourselves up to the extraordinary possibilities that come with a life entirely entrusted to Him, just as Abraham did.

In Romans 12:2, Paul instructs us, “Do not allow yourself to be conformed to the patterns of this world; instead, pursue a profound transformation through the renewal of your mind.” In this powerful passage, Paul passionately urges us to reject the pervasive influences of contemporary society that strive to shape our thoughts and beliefs. These societal pressures often instill a misplaced trust in fleeting values and transient systems, leading us astray from our true purpose. Instead, we are called to undergo a profound metamorphosis. This radical and life-altering change elevates us to a different state of consciousness, aligning our perspectives with more profound, eternal truths grounded in our faith.

The Greek term “anakainosis,” which Paul uses, signifies much more than simple renewal; it invites us into a transformative awareness of our identity as cherished sons and daughters of God. It illuminates our true purpose as His image-bearers, reflecting His love and grace in a world yearning for hope and clarity. This profound concept encourages us to envision the extraordinary potential that can be unleashed through our relationship with Christ, who empowers us to transcend the limitations of our flesh and worldly distractions.

As we discover our true identity through intentional prayer, deep reflection, and meaningful community connection, we gradually begin to see that Jesus embodies our essence and reveals the profound depths of our eternal nature. He invites us to engage in a relationship with Him that allows us to participate in His unfathomable love, creativity, and purpose. This journey is not merely about self-awareness; it’s about embracing our divine calling and actively living out the transformative impact of that realization in our daily lives.

Our imagination is remarkable, engaging us in creativity and possibility. While we typically associate imagination with fanciful thoughts, daydreaming, or exaggerated fears, it encompasses much more. It serves as a vital catalyst for innovation and artistic expression, enabling us to envision new ideas, solutions, and ways of impacting the world. When we embrace the mindset of Christ, we unlock extraordinary potential, empowering us to undertake the transformative works that Jesus carried out during His earthly ministry, such as healing the sick, uplifting the downtrodden, and disseminating messages of love and hope. Additionally, we are inspired to reach for even greater accomplishments, buoyed by the assurance that He has ascended to the Father, enabling us to pursue our God-given purpose with unwavering confidence and determination.

From the beginning, an adversary has systematically stripped humanity of its divinely ordained authority, beginning with the days of Adam and Eve. Through shrewd deception, he ensnared them, robbing them of the power and dominion that God entrusted to them over creation. This cunning manipulation left them vulnerable and feeling weak and powerless in a world designed for their stewardship and leadership.

Nevertheless, God, in His infinite wisdom, always envisioned a pathway for humanity’s redemption and restoration. He knew this journey back to humanity’s strength and authority could be found only through a genuine relationship with Him. The true essence of redemption lies not in our futile attempts to fix the world through our efforts or self-improvement. Instead, it is about allowing Jesus to live through us, transforming our hearts and minds in alignment with His will. By doing so, He enables us to fulfill the divine purpose for which we were created: to reign as His imagers, exercising His Lordship and love over the entire Earth through the agency of humanity. Through this empowering relationship, we reclaim our rightful authority and become conduits of His love, grace, and power, offering hope and healing to a world deeply divided and in desperate need of His transformative love.

Stephen Barnett