1Well then, what can we say about our ancestor Abraham?
2If he became acceptable to God because of what he did, then he would have something to boast about. But he would never be able to boast about it to God.
3The Scriptures say, “God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith in him.”
4Money paid to workers isn't a gift. It is something they earn by working.
5But you cannot make God accept you because of something you do. God accepts sinners only because they have faith in him.
6In the Scriptures David talks about the blessings that come to people who are acceptable to God, even though they don't do anything to deserve these blessings. David says,
7“God blesses people
whose sins are forgiven
and whose evil deeds
are forgotten.
8The Lord blesses people
whose sins are erased
from his book.”
9Are these blessings meant for circumcised people or for those who are not circumcised? Well, the Scriptures say that God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith in him.
10But when did this happen? Was it before or after Abraham was circumcised? Of course, it was before.
11Abraham let himself be circumcised to show that he had been accepted because of his faith even before he was circumcised. This makes Abraham the father of all who are acceptable to God because of their faith, even though they are not circumcised.
15God becomes angry when his Law is broken. But where there isn't a law, it cannot be broken.
16Everything depends on having faith in God, so that God's promise is assured by his great kindness. This promise isn't only for Abraham's descendants who have the Law. It is for all who are Abraham's descendants because they have faith, just as he did. Abraham is the ancestor of us all.
18God promised Abraham a lot of descendants. And when it all seemed hopeless, Abraham still had faith in God and became the ancestor of many nations.
Who We AreWhat We EelieveWhat We Do
2025 by iamachristian.org,Inc All rights reserved.
