QT 18/06/2026 Thu Romans 4. Strong in Faith, Certain in Promise 信心刚强，确信应许

QT 18/06/2026 Thu Romans 4. Strong in Faith, Certain in Promise
READ https://www.esv.org/Romans+4/

Before Abraham was marked by circumcision, he was already declared righteous by faith. What if the real family of God was never about rituals, ethnicity, or performance—but about trusting God’s promise through Jesus Christ? Romans 4 reveals the faith that changed history and still saves today.

Scripture Focus: Romans 4:20–25
[20] No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, [21] fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. [22] That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” [23] But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, [24] but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, [25] who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (ESV)

Epistle to the Romans presents Abraham not merely as a historical patriarch, but as the model of saving faith. Though his body was aged and Sarah’s womb barren, Abraham refused to let unbelief dominate his heart. Instead, he became “fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:21). Faith, therefore, is not wishful thinking; it is confidence in the character and power of God.

Paul emphasizes that Abraham was counted righteous before circumcision. This was profoundly important for the early church because it showed that righteousness comes through faith rather than ethnic identity or ceremonial law. Abraham became the spiritual father not only of the Jews according to the flesh, but also of all who believe in Christ. In this way, God fulfilled His promise that Abraham would become “the father of many nations” (Romans 4:17).

This truth guards the gospel from legalism. Salvation is not earned through rituals, heritage, morality, or religious performance. Just as Abraham trusted God’s promise, believers today are justified by trusting in Jesus Christ, “who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25). The cross declares that our sins were truly paid for, and the resurrection declares that the Father accepted the sacrifice completely.

Abraham’s faith also teaches believers how to endure seasons where God’s promises seem delayed. Humanly speaking, Abraham had every reason to doubt, yet he gave glory to God by continuing to trust Him. Mature faith does not deny difficulties; it looks beyond them to the faithfulness of God. The believer’s assurance rests not in the strength of personal faith, but in the reliability of the One who promises.

For the church today, Romans 4 unites believers across every ethnicity and background. Jews and Gentiles alike stand on equal ground before God: sinners justified by grace through faith. Abraham is therefore the father of all who believe, and every Christian shares in the same covenant mercy fulfilled ultimately in Christ.

Reflection

• Do I rely on religious activity more than trusting fully in Christ?
• In what area of life is God calling me to trust His promises despite outward impossibilities?
• How does Christ’s resurrection strengthen my assurance of salvation?

Prayer

Father, thank You that righteousness comes through faith and not through human effort. Strengthen my heart to trust Your promises as Abraham did. Help me to rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ, who died for my sins and was raised for my justification. Teach me to walk by faith and to give You glory even when circumstances seem uncertain. In Jesus’ name, amen.

QT 18/06/2026 星期四 罗马书4 信心刚强，确信应许
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/rom/4/

亚伯拉罕在接受割礼之前，就已经因信称义了。倘若上帝真正的家从来就不是关乎仪式、种族或行为表现，而是关乎通过耶稣基督信靠上帝的应许，那会怎样呢？《罗马书》第四章揭示了那改变历史、至今仍在拯救世人的信心。

经文聚焦：《罗马书》4:20–25
[20] 他并没有因不信而对神的应许动摇，反倒因信而刚强，将荣耀归给神，[21] 深信神能成就他所应许的。[22] 正因如此，他的信“就算为他的义”。[23] “算为义”这话，不是单为他写的，[24]也是为我们写的，就是为那信神使我们的主耶稣从死里复活的人。[25]耶稣为我们的过犯被交出来，为我们的称义被复活。（ESV）

《罗马书》所呈现的亚伯拉罕，不仅是一位历史上的族长，更是得救之信的典范。尽管他的身体年迈，撒拉的子宫不孕，亚伯拉罕却拒绝让不信占据他的心。相反，他“深信神能成就他所应许的”（罗马书 4:21）。因此，信心并非一厢情愿的幻想，而是对神品格与大能的信靠。

保罗强调，亚伯拉罕是在受割礼之前就被算为义的。这对早期教会具有深远的重要性，因为这表明义是因信而来的，而非源于民族身份或礼仪律法。亚伯拉罕不仅成了按肉体说犹太人的属灵父亲，也成了所有信基督之人的属灵父亲。以此方式，神成就了祂的应许，即亚伯拉罕将成为“万国的父”（罗马书 4:17）。

这一真理使福音免于律法主义的桎梏。救恩并非通过仪式、血统、道德或宗教表现而获得。正如亚伯拉罕信靠神的应许，今天的信徒也是因信耶稣基督而称义，祂“为我们的过犯被交去处死，为我们的称义而复活”（罗马书4:25）。十字架宣告我们的罪确实已被赎清，复活则宣告父神完全接纳了这牺牲。

亚伯拉罕的信心也教导信徒如何在神应许看似延迟的时期中持守。按人的标准看，亚伯拉罕有充分的理由怀疑，但他却因持续信靠神而将荣耀归给神。成熟的信心并不否认困难，而是超越困难，定睛于神的信实。信徒的确据不在于个人信心的力量，而在于那位应许者的可靠性。

对于今天的教会而言，《罗马书》第四章将来自不同种族和背景的信徒团结在一起。犹太人和外邦人在神面前地位平等：都是因信靠恩典而称义的罪人。因此，亚伯拉罕是所有信徒的父，每位基督徒都分享着最终在基督里得以成就的同一份盟约之恩。

反思

• 我是否更依赖宗教活动，而非全然信靠基督？
• 在生活的哪个领域，神呼召我尽管面对表面上的不可能，仍要信靠祂的应许？
• 基督的复活如何坚固了我得救的确据？

祷告

天父，感谢祢，因公义是因信而得，并非出于人的努力。求祢坚固我的心，使我能像亚伯拉罕一样信靠祢的应许。求祢帮助我安息在耶稣基督已成全的工作中——祂为我的罪而死，又为我的称义而复活。求祢教导我凭着信心而行，即使在环境看似不明朗时，仍将荣耀归给祢。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。