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SHALL I CALL THINGS THAT ARE NOT AS IF IT WERE?

by willetta pilcher  
3/19/2009 / Bible Studies


Beverly sat enthralled by the sermon that was unfolding before her. Rev Goodpastor was such a knowledgeable man. He always preached so one could understand and feel good about one's self and in control of life's problems.

The one phrase that especially caught her attention was Abraham "called things which be not as though they were." The pastor used as his text Rom 4:16-18 in the KJV and sure enough that was what it said.

Beverly was excited. She thought of all the things she wanted to change about the circumstances of her life. Mentally she made a list: Change Mary's attitude, free of debt, Charles get saved, a new bigger house, a different job with more pay, and on and one her list grew as she thought of the possibility opened to her if she would just "call these things as though they were" already hers. If she would just begin to "decree" these things every day it would increase her faith and they would happen.

Now I'll grant you that a good positive attitude toward life helps in many ways. Such is the way of "positive thinkers" which puts one in control of their own destiny." Or so they teach. But let's examine what the scripture says in reality. It is so easy to take one phrase out of scripture and make it a doctrine without investigating the surrounding verses to see what the actual content or context is. Some preachers do it all the time and mislead their congregations with feel good sermons that put their listeners in control instead of God. At other times, parishioners aren't really listening to the full contents of the sermon and pick and choose what they wish to hear.

Let's examine the scriptures that the pastor used.

Rom 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Rom 4:17 (As it is written, I (God)have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Rom 4:18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Notice if you will the context of the scripture being discussed. The subject is faith. Faith in it's simplest form is "believing" and that is what is being spoken of in this passage.

God called... Abraham believed. We have that verified in the following scriptures ... Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. (Rom 4:3; Gal 3:6; James 2:23) ( there are many more we could site.)

The question may be asked, "well isn't that one and the same as calling it or decreeing it done."

Yes, and no. There is one thing that many people miss. God did the calling. Abraham believed God. In doing so he expected that what was promised would be given. He could therefore say it was the same as done because God said so.

The NIV gets it right.

Ro 4:16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspringnot only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.
Ro 4:17 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 believedthe God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.
Ro 4:18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, s just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

Many people want to "stand on a promise" that is taken out of context and may not be a promise for them at all. Especially is that true of what is called the "good promises." Remember, those that were not so pleasing were also promises of God. Let me explain.

When a person is reading the scripture one needs to read it with the prayer, "God give me a promise that I can hold on to until this situation is resolved." As a person reads and continues in prayer God will make a particular scripture 'come alive.' It will be almost as though it leaps off of the page into your heart and there is instant faith for that promise. It may happen in a time of prayer where God gives you a particular promise. Be assured "when God gives you a promise" it is sure. It may not be at all sure if 'you' just select one and 'you' decide that it will come to pass because that promise may no be for you.

When God gives a promise, HE is in control. When you select a promise, YOU are in control.

There is never an instant in scripture where a man decrees something just because he wants it and always has it come to pass. Most of the decrees that were given are in the Old Testament and has to do with laws made by kings. The word is used only once in the New Testament and there again it was an emperor. It is only God that can "decree" and have it always come to pass.

As a part of the human race we can decide we shall have something, say a new car. We will look at new cars and decide what we want, it's color, and all the whistles. Eventually if we lust after it long enough we will buy it and get all the payments. Did we decree it? Well, we said we were going to have it but it was not a guarantee that above all odds we would possess the vehicle. Did God give it? He may have but He seldom adds the payments to go with it.

However when God gives a promise, you can take it to the bank. That promise will be fulfilled. It may not happen immediately. It was twenty years before Abraham received his promise. But he did receive his promise.

In Hebrews 11 we read of many from the Old Testament that believed God. Take note of the whole chapter.

God spoke - the worlds were framed.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death.
By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed;
By faith he (Abraham) sojourned in the land of promise,
Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed,
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph.
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel.
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter.
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king.
Through faith he kept the passover.
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land.
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not.

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And these all, having obtained a good report through faith...

Faith in what? The promise of God! Or by the instruction of God as they responded in obedience.

We would do well to take the time to know God so that we may know and receive His Will. Does God give mankind what they desire? Yes, sometimes and at other times He gives them something better. Certainly we would not think that the last part of Hebrews 11 was "something better." But in God's eyes it was and they ALL obtained a good report through faith.

We human beings would love to be the maker of our own destiny and God gives us that choice. We may choose our own way and receive damnation or we may by faith receive what God has promised, the salvation of our souls.

Willetta has spent most of her life ministering to people. In her late seventies, and a wheelchair now her mode of travel, she now ministers to people through the internet. Her webs are...
www.teachmethyways.org
www.successwithkids.org
www.theseedsower.org

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User Comments

YOU NEED TO GET TO KNOW Holy Spirit as a person. Then ask Him if it is true that Jesus did say "You shall have what you say"
2017-01-04
What about Mark 11:23, 24
2018-12-23

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