TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Romans 4 describes Abraham as the father of all believers, a statement that raises a natural question given that Abraham is also the physical ancestor of the nation of Israel. In that sense, Abraham serves as the earthly progenitor of the Jewish people, since the nation descended directly from his family line. The fatherhood Paul describes in Romans, however, points to something different from ancestry.

Genesis 15 records that Abraham believed God, and this faith was credited to him as righteousness. This moment introduces the concept of salvation through faith and the doctrine of imputed righteousness, meaning God’s righteousness was applied to Abraham on the basis of his trust rather than his actions.

Abraham was justified by faith alone, and all who come to God through faith, regardless of ethnic background, become his spiritual children in this sense. Before this act of faith, Abraham was an idol worshipper with no claim to righteousness of his own, and his story shows us the pattern followed by everyone who has ever been saved throughout history.

Therefore, recognize that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

Galatians 3:7