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Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

By: Deacon Renée Beyea (MDiv)

Most people have, at one time or another, thought or talked or acted as if reality were different than it is. We work long hours or flirt with sin and pretend there are no consequences to our marriages or families. The same principle is at work when a man and woman are convinced the child they’ve conceived is not a precious life. No matter how we may want circumstances to be different, merely pretending changes nothing. What a striking contrast to our Creator. When God calls things that are not as though they were, we know that’s exactly how things are.

This is how Paul describes the God in whom Abraham believed. When he was seventy-five and still childless and itinerant, God called Abram the father of a great nation. Twenty-five years later God brought life from Abraham and Sarah, whose bodies were as good as dead. Even before he was circumcised, God called Abram’s faith righteousness. He calls things that are not as though they were.

In the Gospel reading, Jesus explains the necessity of being born again. “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” Even though Nicodemus is a well-educated teacher, from his perspective, Jesus is calling things that are not as though they were. Scripture abounds with examples. The apostles were twelve men from humble backgrounds whom Jesus commissioned to make disciples of all nations. They couldn’t fathom the world’s reach, yet here we are, living proof of their success. We who were dead in our sins God calls righteous and alive in Christ. He calls things that are not as though they were.

Sometimes discouragement threatens our hope. Society and culture seem to be advancing in practices that destroy life but not advancing in the kingdom of God. Or perhaps it is the circumstances in our own lives that seem impossible. Paul reminds us who we love and serve, who dwells in us through His Holy Spirit: the God who calls things that are not as though they were. Reality is not limited to what we perceive but rather defined by what our Lord says is and will be.