Romans
4:13-25 Review With Answers
Paul
talks about the promise that Abraham would be heir of the world (in verse
13). What does Paul mean by the word world in this context?
The future eternal world, the new
heavens and the new earth.
Romans
Genesis 12:1 - The
LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's
household and go to the land I will show you.
Hebrews 11:8 - By faith Abraham, when
called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and
went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home
in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign
country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of
the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations,
whose architect and builder is God.
Paul
states that if those who live by the law are heirs, then Gods promise of
blessing to Abraham and his children is worthless. Explain why a promise that
anyone who kept Gods law perfectly would inherit a blessing is a worthless
promise.
Because no one (except Jesus) can keep
Gods law perfectly, therefore no one would ever benefit from such a promise.
Paul
states that the blessings associated with the promise given to Abraham was by
grace through faith so
that those blessings could be GUARANTEED (verse 16). Why would a promise from
God that is based on grace (as opposed to a promise based on mans performance)
be guaranteed?
Because it depends on God alone, Who is faithful to deliver on ALL of His promises - unlike
man, upon whom we can never depend.