14. Do those who obey the law receive the promise? If they do, faith would have no value. God's promise would be worthless.
15. The law brings God's anger. Where there is no law, the law can't be broken.
16. The promise is based on God's grace. The promise comes by faith. All of Abraham's children will certainly receive the promise. And it is not only for those who are ruled by the law. Those who have the same faith that Abraham had are also included. He is the father of us all.
17. It is written, "I have made you a father of many nations." (Genesis 17:5) God considers Abraham to be our father. The God that Abraham believed in gives life to the dead. Abraham's God also speaks of things that do not exist as if they do exist.
18. When there was no reason for hope, Abraham believed because he had hope. He became the father of many nations, exactly as God had promised. God said, "That is how many children you will have." (Genesis 15:5)
19. Without becoming weak in his faith, Abraham accepted the fact that he was past the time when he could have children. At that time he was about 100 years old. He also realized that Sarah was too old to have children.
20. But he kept believing in God's promise. He became strong in his faith. He gave glory to God.
21. He was absolutely sure that God had the power to do what he had promised.
22. That's why "God accepted Abraham because he believed. So his faith made him right with God."
23. The words "God accepted Abraham's faith" were written not only for Abraham.
24. They were written also for us. We believe in the God who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. So God will accept our faith and make us right with himself.