Think about some questions now: “If I died to sin, why am I still tempted?” “If my old life is gone, why do I still sin?”
It is at this point that many fail, for they come to wrong conclusions. They might think: “I must not really be dead to sin, as I’m alive and struggling.” Or they reason, “A better picture than death is one who is addicted and needing to recover.” These entirely wrong conclusions leave one hopeless, always struggling and falling, feeling like a failure, and wanting to give up.
But there is a better way! Romans 6 explains this better way to us in detail, using clear truths and plain word pictures.
Let’s remind ourselves that when it comes to God’s Word, faith is the key to experiencing the power of it (Hebrews 11:1). Sometimes believing the truth of God’s Word is against all odds, against what we can see with our eyes, against plain facts if viewed according to natural eyes.
For example, God came to Abraham and Sarah and told them they would have a son “this time next year” (Genesis 18:10). But look at the facts: Abraham was 100 years old, his body was as good as dead, and Sarah’s womb was closed; that is, she was past the age of childbearing. When Abraham looked at the bare facts, he “... figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb” (Romans 4:19).
So, God’s Word did not make sense with the facts. Abraham could have said, “Well, yes, that’s what God says, but we all know that the truth, the plain facts, we simply can’t have children, we’re too old.”
Some people today believe, “Well yes, God’s Word says we died with Christ, but we all know that we are still alive, that we still give in to sin, etc.” Yes, those are the straight facts if viewed naturally.
But this is faulty and faithless reasoning. It is looking at what we can see rather than believing what God says. Notice what Abraham did:
“And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.” Romans 4:19-21 (NLT)
Question 4. Was Abraham acting on faith or believing the physical facts? How do you know?
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