Demonstrating Faith

​We can find a discourse on faith in Romans 4. The author is reminding us that "Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness." (Verse 9) We are told that the promise Abraham believed in is for everyone. "The promise comes by faith, so that it may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is father of us all. As it is written: 'I have made you a father of many nations.' He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not." (Verse 16, 17 - NIV) The NKJV says, "Calls those things which do not exist as though they did."
 
The key to Abraham's faith came as he gave God glory. Romans 4:19-21 in The Passion Translation explains it well: "In spite of being nearly one hundred years old when the promise of having a son was made, his faith was so strong that it could not be undermined by the fact that he and Sarah were incapable of conceiving a child. He never stopped believing God's promise, for he was made strong in his faith to father a child. And because he was mighty in faith and convinced that God had all the power needed to fulfill His promises, Abraham glorified God!" When we take action in the same way that Abrham did God will reward us." "And this declaration was not just spoken of Abraham, but also over us. For when we believe and embrace the one who brought our Lord Jesus back to life, perfect righteousness will be credited to our account as well." (Romans 4:23, 24 - TPT)
 
Romans 5:1 goes on to tell us that because of our faith in Jesus His righteousness is transferred to us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 confirms this by saying, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (NKJ) We must conclude that faith is an action word. The Hebrew word for faith is "emunah" (em-oo-new) which means to act with firmness according to the will of God. “So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
 
Real faith defies all contradictions in circumstances and stands on God's promises. It places God's promises before facts, because facts can change but "God is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8) The prophet Habakkuk realized the importance of faith. He is the one who wrote, "The just shall live by his faith."  (Habakkuk 2:4 - NKJ) This was declared after he asked the Lord several questions: "...Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?" (Habakkuk 1:3) "Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?” (Habakkuk 1:13) He learned that a day of calamity would come to his people. Yet he made a declaration in faith: "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:17, 18)
 
How many of us are waiting for the manifestation of a promise that God gave us? I imagine that this applies to us all. Here is our mandate: Stand on your promises and glorify God in the waiting. Share your faith and remember that righteousness will be credited to our accounts.