Day 25 - How Dead Souls Are Made Alive
- Pastor b.Side
- Jan 25
- 3 min read
(As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did… - Romans 4:17
The Bible reveals numerous problems with the human race. Psalm 51:5 says people are conceived in sin, meaning that we are spiritually dead and separated from God nine months before we’re born. This explains why God views any “righteous” work done by human ability and motives as being like “filthy rags.” Jesus said He didn’t come into the world to condemn it because it was already condemned. Why? We’re all born with corrupted souls that are prone to rebel against the One who made us. In this condition, we can’t do anything good in His sight.
“As it is written…”
In Romans 4:17, the Apostle Paul wrote about how God brought an entire nation into existence from a man well beyond reproductive ability. God promised Abraham when he was 75 years old that he would be the father of a “great nation.” Abraham had the child of promise when he was 100 years old. The scientific impossibility of the circumstances didn’t matter to the God who created everything out of nothing. Abraham and Sarah were “dead” in the reproductive department. Still, God provided life. From that child came another, then twelve tribes, and then the nation we call Israel. That’s what God can do as YAHWEH!
“In the presence of Him whom he believed…”
Abraham believed God would fulfill His Word. The time he spent walking with God (stumbling plenty of times along the way) taught him about God's power and integrity in fulfilling His promises, no matter how crazy they may seem. Abraham listened to God’s Word and learned that He acts, not because of the people He uses, but despite them. God’s glory was manifested in His work to provide Isaac as an heir to, and also in the grace that motivated Him to do it.
“God, who gives life to the dead…”
Paul’s point in Romans 4:17 is that God’s grace is just as great a miracle as His ability to bring life out of nothing because He only accepts faith as the qualifying trait to benefit from His glory. The favor we receive from Him and the life He gives are unmerited. Jesus is God, so He operates by the same principles as He did with Abraham. Jesus brought the universe into existence out of nothing. He created the nation of Israel from nothing. He raised His own dead body back to life. He is able! His glory is manifested in the grace He shows to bring our corrupted souls to life when we truly believe these truths.
Prayer for today
Jesus, thank You for sharing the power to give life to those who believe in the integrity of Your character based on the testimony of Your Word. Thank You for sharing the glory of Your grace with us, keeping us from sin, death, and hell. Thank You for providing so much evidence that proves how You can bring great things out of nothing. Use us to make something of our lives for Your glory. You are worthy. We thank You and praise You. Amen!
Comments