Archives for February 2012

The same God who dealt with Abraham speaks now to us. "My Son died because of your sins and was raised again because of your declaration of acquital," God tells us in the gospel. "I will count anyone in right standing with me who truly says 'Amen' to those realities." (See Rom. 4:23-25.) "How can this be?" we ask. "Surely we must contribute something!" But no. This God calls into being what does not exist. He did not make the universe from spare parts. He does not need our contribution to make us righteous. God simply pronounces us righteous -- us, who have no righteousness and no right to … [Read more...]

God promises Abraham that his descendants will be as the stars of the sky in multitude. Abraham believes God's promise, although he and wife Sarah are childless and very old. And God says, in effect, "That is all I need from you, Abraham. An 'Amen.' Your acquiescence in my promise. Your willingness to act on the basis of my promise, totally trusting me to accomplish what seems humanly impossible. That is all I want and need from any of my human creatures. You believed me, Abraham. You are in right standing with me!" Then God who called the universe into being empowered Abraham and Sarah to … [Read more...]

"A father of many nations have I made you," said God to ancient Abraham. We don't know his mental or physical health, but we do know this much -- the old patriarch, now about 100 years of age, cannot begat a child. Even if he could, his wife Sarah, past 90 herself, cannot contribute to the process. But there is a third character in this scenario, and that makes all the difference. It is God. Not just any god. Not even a fertility god, such as the Canaanite baals. This is Jehovah God, the Creator of heaven and earth. The God who "gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does … [Read more...]