Faith is the key to unlocking grace

Over this weekend I have been reading a few verses from Romans 4 and in particular the first part of verse 16:

"Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace...."

The promise which is referred to is a specific one made to Abraham but the principle of what Paul is saying is true for us all.

Faith releases the grace of God.

Faith is the key to us entering into the grace of God which is freely available for us. In Ephesians 2:8 we are told that it is by grace that we are saved through faith. And the wonderful thing is that the faith we need is given to us - the very thing we need to enable us to believe is not something we can work up but it is a gift.

The opposite of faith is not being able to rely on the Father. It is trying to do it on our own and in our own strength. If we are not relying on him then we are relying on our own effort.

Abraham's faith was what gave him the certainty that God would fulfil his word and promise. In the same way our faith is the key to the grace of God being released into our life.