"The Promise and the Hope"

“The Promise and the Hope”

 

It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”                                                                               Romans 4:13, 18

 

The Apostle Paul uses Abraham’s HOPE in God’s PROMISE, as an example to the TRUE BELIEVERS in Rome.  God had made a PROMISE to Abraham that he would be the HEIR of the WORLD.  This PROMISE to Abraham and his offspring was NOT given because Abraham kept the LAW, but it came to Abraham because of his RIGHTEOUSNESS that came through his FAITH.

 

It was probably evident to Abraham and Sarah that they would remain “childless” at the ages they were.  At least in HUMAN reasoning, but God had made them a PROMISE, and ONE thing about the God we serve, He KEEPS His PROMISES.   Abraham, in HOPE, BELIEVED in God’s PROMISE and PRAISED GOD for His ability to KEEP His PROMISE.  So Abraham, at the age of 100 and Sarah at 90, became the recipients of the CHILD OF PROMISE, and this began the PROMISE of Abraham becoming the Heir of the World. 

 

God has made a PROMISE to those whose FAITH is like that of Abraham’s.  And just like the PROMISE He made to Abraham, God will KEEP this PROMISE that comes to the TRUE BELIEVER, through their RIGHTEOUSNESS, which comes by FAITH, which is POSSIBLE ONLY, through the PLAN of SALVATION that is accomplished by the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  This PROMISE is ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, and God WILL KEEP this PROMISE also. 

 

However, if you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you are headed for an ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL of its HORRORS, and NO WAY of ESCAPE.  This too is a PROMISE that God will KEEP.  He is giving you the opportunity NOW, to ESCAPE HELL and to GAIN HEAVEN.  To do this, you MUST TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO God, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  Then you MUST CONFESS your sins to Him, and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  You MUST BELIEVE, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God.  Then you MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and RECEIVE the PROMISE, God has made to EVERY TRUE BELIEVER, which is an ETERNAL LIFE in HEAVEN, and like Abraham, PRESS ON, KEEPING the FAITH, until He returns.   Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!