Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed… I. Because FAITH IS THE GIFT OF GOD, not the recompense of any previous desert. Were it otherwise, all would live and die in unbelief; for no one could deserve the gift, and no one would believe on whom it was not bestowed. Faith is a coming to Christ for life; but this coming is alone the effect of Divine influence (John 6:65). The habit, the exercise, and the increase of faith, are all from God. II. FAITH IS A SUPPLIANT GRACE, sensible of its own poverty and inefficacy (Proverbs 18:23). One of the most modest, and yet importunate suppliants was the woman of Canaan; and our Lord attributed her importunity to the strength of her faith. The prayer of faith is the least assuming, the most submissive. Its language is, Lord, save, or I perish. God be merciful to me a sinner. III. FAITH RECEIVES ALL FROM CHRIST; it is the empty hand extended towards Him for a full and complete salvation. Love may be said indeed to give, but it is the office of faith only to receive. Faith receives the truths and blessings of Christ Himself; and is constantly receiving out of His fulness, even grace for grace. It is also of the nature of faith to receive all with humility and self-abasement (Psalm 115:1; Romans 3:27). IV. THE ENTIRE DEPENDENCE OF FAITH UPON THE WILL OF GOD. Its language is, Let Him do with me as seemeth good in His sight. If I am condemned, the sentence will be just; if saved, it will be owing to a multitude of tender mercies. Its hand is laid, not upon the duties it performs, but upon the head of the great atoning sacrifice. When it asks it is in the name of Jesus; what it expects is alone for His sake, both grace here and glory hereafter. V. THERE IS AN IMPERFECTION IN FAITH, WHICH SHOWS THAT IT CAN HAVE NO MERITORIOUS INFLUENCE ON OUR SALVATION. If faith has any strength, it arises not from itself, but from its object; it needs continual support, and is often ready to sink under the weight of objections and oppositions. It may in this respect be said of graces as it is of persons, God hath chosen the things that are weak and despised (1 Corinthians 1:28, 29; 1 Corinthians 12:24). VI. FAITH IS HUMBLE AND SELF-DENYING. Its language is, after all its laborious exertions, "Yet not I" — I can do nothing. It is Christ that has done, it is He that must do all. "I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof," says the centurion. "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel," replied the Saviour. It puts on the robe, but it did not weave it; it shows the debt paid, but did not discharge it. We are said to live by faith; yet faith says, It is not I, but Christ liveth in me. 1. If salvation be of faith, what will become of unbelievers (John 3:18-36). 2. If salvation be of faith, that it might be by grace, then it is no wonder that Satan employs his utmost endeavours to prevent faith, and also to destroy it (2 Corinthians 4:4). 3. Let his malignant activity excite us to watchful. Less and diligence, and to beware of his devices. (B. Beddome, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, |
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