Romans 4:13-17 - Daily Devotion - 27 June 2026

St Barnabas Anglican Church Fairfield & Bossley Park

13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.

16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Stephen Shead

Many years ago, I was trying to share the gospel with one of my friends, and he said: “You say that we’re not saved by our good works because we’re saved by faith. But isn’t faith a good work? Doesn’t that just mean that there happens to be one good work that can save us – which is called faith?”

Today’s passage has one of my favourite verses in Romans, because it explains why my friend was wrong. In verse 16 Paul says: “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace.” Faith isn’t a work, it’s realising and accepting that I can never work for or earn what I’m being offered. It’s trusting that Jesus has done everything for me, because I couldn’t, and that he now promises life as a gift. Faith is the only appropriate way to receive God’s offer without turning it into something I worked for or deserved. Faith is holding out empty hands and saying, “Thank you, Lord!”

That’s why we receive salvation through faith alone – so that God’s gift might remain 100% a gift.

And what a gift it is! What God promises us is … the whole world. Paul says that was what God promised “to Abraham and his offspring: that he would be heir of the world” (v 13). Jesus, Abraham’s great descendant, is the heir of the whole world – and for all who put their trust in him, God gives us his own solemn guarantee that we will inherit the whole world with Jesus.

It is impossible for God to offer a bigger gift. And it is impossible for him to make it easier for us to receive. It’s the biggest, purest gift possible. Do you believe him? Will you trust him? Thank him now.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen is our senior minister.