“For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith”— Romans 4:13.
NOT only Israel, but many other nations, sprang from this man (Gen. 17:4, 5) whose understanding of God marked him out as unique in his day and, through all the centuries since, as the outstanding witness to the truth revealed to him, and to the importance of faith in God’s testimony.
We need to remember that it was while he was still a Gentile after the flesh that enlightenment came to him. It was not until he had received and believed the promise that he and his household were circumcised (Gen. 17:10-14) and so separated unto God. This was the sign of the covenant already made to him, and it marks the beginning of the Hebrew people. Paul emphasizes this in discussing the great truth of the imputation of righteousness to all who believe (Rom. 4:9-12). The grace extended to Abram as a Gentile and confirmed to him later as a separated man, is the same grace that flows out to all men, through Him who is the promised Seed, the Son of Abraham (Matt. 1:1). Dispensations have changed, but God’s promise of salvation by grace abides through all ages.
“The Son—He left God’s throne above
(So free, so infinite His grace!),
Emptied Himself and then in Love
Bled for our lost our ruined race:
‘Tis mercy, all beyond our thought,
That us to God in Jesus brought.
No condemnation now we dread,
Jesus is ours, prepared our place.
Our life in Him, our hidden Head,
Himself our righteousness thro’ graces
Bold we approach the heavenly throne,
Heirs of the crown He for us won.”
—C. Wesley.