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Romans 1:16-17 (17)
Romans 1:17 (NKJV) begins with the word “For” which indicates the importance of the previous verse(s) in which this verse is attached as “because of” or “as a result of” the previous verse(s) is the base or background for what is about to be stated or proclaimed. In this case, the gospel of Christ in which the Apostle Paul is not ashamed, is available unto salvation for all who will believe in Him, “because” God’s righteousness is revealed from His faith to us to our faith in Him. Paul then gives a Scripture reference of Habakkuk 2:4 which states,
“Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.”
This is a promise of God’s righteousness being revealed to humanity through the gospel of Christ Jesus from His faithfulness in His promise to us; to everyone who has faith in Him as being the one and only Almighty God of heaven and earth.
“The just shall live by faith” [Habakkuk 2:4]. This promise goes back to before the Law was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai and in so precedes any requirement for obedience to the Law as it had yet to exist. This promise, of the just living by faith, goes back to the promise that God made to Abraham – before God gave him the requirement for circumcision (which precedes anything that Abraham did as to earn righteousness), God declared him righteous because of his faith in God (Genesis 15:6). The things that Abraham did as works in obedience to God was just that – obedience to God as a result from his faith/believing in God. We too are declared righteous by God through our faith/believing in Him. This is the fulfilling of the same promise that God made to Abraham being fulfilled still yet today in everyone who will believe in the power of God through the gospel of Christ Jesus.
Dear LORD,
Only You are truly faithful, and only You are truly just, but through Christ Jesus and the gospel that is preached in His name You offer to everyone who will believe/have faith in Him the same righteousness that You declared to Your servant Abraham who You made that father of many nations (Genesis 17:4). Thank You LORD for being the one and only truly faithful God who allows everyone who will believe in You through Christ Jesus to be adopted into His righteousness and be a child of God. In Jesus name I pray, amen.