2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
Romans 4:17 ,22-24 (Amplified) says, "As it is written, I have made you the father of many nations, (He was appointed our Father) in the sight of God in Whom he believed. Who gives Life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that (He has foretold and promised) as if they (already) existed."
God spoke of the "Father of faith" that He promised, as though it already was. Verses 22-24 go on, "That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God) But (the words), I was credited to him, were written not for his sake alone. But they (were written) for our sake too (Righteousness, standing acceptable to God) will be granted and credited to us also who believe in (trust in, adhere to, and rely on) God, Who raised Jesus from the dead."
Abraham stood a test of faith, that none of us have yet to make a stand for. He was one-hundred years old and his wife (Sarah) was ninety plus years, which by any human standard, meant they were beyond child bearing ages. Sarah had been childless her entire life, but Abraham dared believe what God said about him and like God, he called "nonexistent" things as though they were.
Many of today, wouldn't dare speak about healing, when we are sick. We wouldn't dare speak about life, when we'd been given a diagnosis of death. Many of us are afraid to speak "the Blessing" over our lives today. Abraham wasn't a born-again man, but he believed what God said about his being, "the Father of our faith."
The Holy Spirit directs Paul to write about the believer, in Galatians 3:14 (Amplified) saying, "To the end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the Blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of) the Promise of the Holy Spirit." This Promise wasn't just God's sending the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, but our receiving the things of the power of the Holy Spirit.
It's through the Spirit, that the Promise came and through the Spirit, that he Blessing came. This is the Life of the Spirit realm, being manifested in this natural realm. Only the Spirit of God could override the natural "deadness" of Sarah's womb. The Promise and Blessing that came through faith (alone), placed Abraham in a position of right standing with God. This Blessing and right standing, made Abraham the richest, most powerful, strongest and longest enduring name in all of God's Word...with the exception of Jesus, of course. The Jews, the Muslims and Christian faiths, all claim Abraham as "the father of their lineage." These things were bestowed on Abraham, because of his faith in what God Promised through His Word alone.
As Christians, we have a new covenant based on better Promises and "All of these Promises are yes and Amen, and so be it in Christ Jesus." Why would it seem strange for Christians, that we should believe, like Abraham did. It's like we failed in our faith and don't expect to receive from God, while we're still on earth. We've postponed our Blessing, for when we arrive in Heaven. Abraham didn't postpone his Promise, but received it while he was on earth. This kind of faith has nearly been expunged from the teachings and preaching for today's believer.
Romans 4:20-21 (Amplified) says, "No unbelief or distrust made him (Abraham) waiver (doubtingly question) concerning the Promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His Word and do what He had promised." Today, how many of God's Promises to us, do we GROW STRONG AND BE EMPOWERED BY FAITH in and give praise and glory to God for, in our lives?
God's Word is "Forever settled in Heaven." It holds the entirety of the universe in place and is the very essence of our lives today. We confess we "believe by faith" in the new birth, but then we act like it's only for "after we leave this planet in mortal death." God's Promises to His family, are mostly for this earthly life, so that "His will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." This is the Promise of the Spirit.
Abraham didn't have the covenant we've received as God's Own children, but God has honored his faith, by declaring him the "Father of our faith." In John 3:3 (Amplified) Jesus told Nicodemus, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born-again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with and experience) the Kingdom of God." The only way to understand and "see the Kingdom of God," is to be born into the Kingdom, by the Promise of the Spirit. Now that we've been born into new creations, we have access into all that the Spirit realm of the Kingdom, has to offer God's family.
Things that "were not," can now "become." Things "that are," can "now be changed." The things of the Spirit are eternal, while the things we can "see" are temporal or subject to change. This is the Promise of the Spirit, to those who believe.
The condition of Sarah's womb, was temporal and subject to change, by the Promise of the Spirit. We can now (through the Spirit) change things in our new lives from the Spirit. We now have the ability to change the outcome and direction of temporal things in this earth, through the Spirit. John 1:1-3 (Amplified) says, "In the beginning (before all time) was the Word (Christ) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He (the Word, Christ) was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being."
Everything we can and cannot see, were and still are, being created and sustained by the Word of God, "Calling things that be not as though they are." The Word is still creating and propelling all things today. Creation is (by no means), completed today. Even you and I, and those who will believe, are considered by God, "a new creation." The Word is creating and changing all things in the earth, as well as the heavens. We've not grasped the creative Promise of God's Word to us and in us, which is the Promise of the Spirit. Jesus said in John 6:63 (Amplified), "The Words (Truths) I am speaking to you, are Spirit and they are Life."
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