Words have power. As kids, we would say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, we all know that words can hurt us in unseen ways. The statements of others can still impact us several years down the road.
We should stand against bullying and its effects on kids and others. The Bible says there is life and death in the tongue (Proverbs 19:21). With such power at our disposal, we should be careful with our words.
The original design for our speech wasn’t to hurt or damage but to encourage, lift up, and give life. By speaking truth, we can have a life-giving impact on the people around us.
Part of that life-giving power is in calling forth the gifts and purposes of God in one another. Romans 4:17 uses a mysterious phrase: “calling things that are not as though they are.” What does this mean for us as Christians today?
What Is the Biblical Context of Romans 4:17?
Paul’s letter to the Romans is a masterpiece of writing and philosophy where Paul expertly explores the meaning and implications of the gospel God gave him to preach. He wrote this letter to a church and city he hadn’t yet visited.
While he would be imprisoned there later in his life, he had a deep affection for the believers there and wanted to answer questions and criticisms about the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The church in Rome was comprised mainly of Gentiles and non-Jews, and so he dealt with the calling of the Gentiles while affirming the truth and role of the nation of Israel.
One of the primary criticisms of Paul was his teaching on grace. The critics alleged his theology of grace was it didn’t matter what people did. Under Paul’s grace, the critics said, people could sin and never deal with any consequences.
Paul vehemently corrects this, even though God would forbid this idea (Romans 6:2). So, what was Paul trying to teach?
Among his defense of the gospel, mainly coming from Jews who rejected the idea of grace alone, Paul brings up how Abraham was considered righteous.
Abraham is the father of the faith, and the whole nation of Israel comes from the call on his life, so Paul uses the man’s story to bring light to how faith has always been at the core of righteousness.
It wasn’t Abraham’s righteousness that produced the call. God called Abraham, and when the patriarch believed, he was made righteous by faith.
As part of the call to Abraham, Romans 4:17 reads: “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 believed — the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.”
The Good News, then, is our call to follow God in his work, and our mission can’t be based on our ability or righteousness because we have neither.
God creates something new when he speaks a call over our life. As an old man, Abram and Sarai had no children. They were too old and had no ability to produce them.
But God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning the father of many before he and Sarai had any children. Sarai was also given a new name as the mother of a nation: Sarah.
God called the man a father of many based on the Lord’s ability. This is the power of the gospel and grace.
What Are Bible Verses Where God Speaks and Creates?
Throughout the Bible, there are several instances where God's spoken word is directly linked to acts of creation. When God speaks, things appear from nothing.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light(Genesis 1:3).
This verse marks the beginning of creation as God's spoken word brings light into existence. The phrase “And God said” is repeated throughout the creation narrative, underscoring the creative power of God's speech.
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth (Psalm 33:6).
This verse emphasizes the divine origin of the heavens and the stars through God's spoken word.
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created (Psalm 148:5).
This verse acknowledges the creation of all things through God's command, encouraging all of creation to praise Him.
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible (Hebrews 11:3).
This New Testament verse highlights the connection between God's spoken command and the creation of the visible universe.
But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water(2 Peter 3:5).
This verse underscores the deliberate act of creation by God's Word and clarifies the origins of the heavens and the earth.
These verses emphasize the profound relationship between God's spoken word and the act of creation. They underscore God's creative authority, His ability to bring forth order from chaos, and His ongoing sustenance of the created world.
The power of God's speech is central to the biblical narrative, reflecting His role as the sovereign Creator who shapes and guides the universe according to His divine plan.
Why would it be any different in the gospel?
What Is the Role of Prophets in the Old and New Testaments?
The role of prophets in the Old and New Testaments is a significant and complex one, encompassing various aspects of divine communication, guidance, and proclamation.
Prophets served as intermediaries between God and humanity, conveying messages, warnings, and revelations. Their role evolved and adapted over time, but their central purpose remained rooted in conveying God's will to His people.
In the Old Testament, prophets were God's messengers tasked with delivering His word to the people of Israel. They conveyed God's commands, instructions, and warnings, often addressing issues of morality, social justice, and spiritual fidelity.
Prophets received revelations through visions, dreams, and direct communication with God. They gained insights into future events, spiritual truths, and God's plans for His people.
Old Testament prophets often interceded on behalf of the people, pleading for God's mercy and forgiveness. They acted as mediators between God and His people, seeking reconciliation and restoration.
Many prophets challenged societal injustices, denounced idolatry, and called for ethical living. They confronted rulers, priests, and the general populace, urging repentance and a return to God's ways.
Prophets foretold future events, including the coming of the Messiah. Their messages contained promises of hope, restoration, and ultimate redemption. Several prophets wrote down their messages, prophecies, and visions, forming a significant portion of the Old Testament.
In the New Testament, the role of prophets continued, building upon the foundation laid in the Old Testament. Jesus Himself acknowledged the prophetic tradition and often referenced the words of earlier prophets.
In the early Christian church, the gift of prophecy was present, with individuals receiving messages and revelations from God for the edification of the community.
This gift, as outlined in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14, played a role in building up believers and guiding the early church. Prophets in the New Testament provided spiritual discernment and guidance to the early church.
New Testament prophets often confirmed the authenticity of the gospel message and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Their words provided validation and assurance to early believers. Some received insights into future events, including the spread of the gospel and the ultimate return of Christ.
What Bible Verses Show When God Calls People as His as a Future Reality?
Throughout the Bible, there are numerous verses that highlight God's promise to call people as His people in the future, often as a part of His redemptive plan.
These verses reveal God's intention to gather and restore His chosen ones, offering hope and assurance of a future reality where His people will be united under His care and authority.
“You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.” In this verse (Ezekiel 36:28), God promises a future restoration of His people to their land, reaffirming His covenant relationship with them.
“And I will sow her for myself in the land. And I will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people;’ and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’”
Hosea's prophecy (Hosea 2:23) speaks of a time when those who were once called “Not My People” will be acknowledged as God's people.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”
In Revelation 21:3, the vision of the New Jerusalem reveals the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell with His people and be their God.
Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:10 echoes the prophetic theme of Hosea, highlighting the transformation that occurs when individuals become part of God's redeemed community.
These verses collectively emphasize God's redemptive plan to call people as His own. And oftentimes, God declared these truths through a people.
What Can Christians Learn from Romans 4:17?
Do we understand the power of our words? Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). Toward the end of the letter to the Romans, Paul expresses the need for evangelists to be sent. How will people hear if we don’t speak the gospel? How will we speak if we aren’t sent?
We are ambassadors of the message of God, and for us, we must realize we can impact people’s lives eternally when we speak the truth of God in love.
Further, we can prophetically speak truth over others, blessing them through faith to repentance, grace, and transformation. In the church, we can call fellow believers forward into their callings and gifts.
Here are five key lessons that Christians can learn from Romans 4:17, “calling things that are not as though they were.”
1. The power of faith. The verse underscores the importance of faith in the Christian walk. Just as Abraham believed in God's promise of becoming a father of many nations, believers are called to trust in God's promises and have unwavering faith in His ability to bring about the seemingly impossible.
2. Confidence in God's Word. Christians can learn to place their confidence in God's Word. Just as God's spoken word brought about creation and fulfillment of His promises, believers can rely on the surety of God's promises as revealed in Scripture.
3. Alignment with God's promises. The verse encourages Christians to align their speech and declarations with God's promises.
By speaking in accordance with God's Word, believers participate in the process of calling forth His purposes and blessings into their lives.
4. Spiritual authority. Christians can learn about the authority they have in Christ. By speaking in alignment with God's will and promises, believers exercise their spiritual authority to bring about positive change and transformation.
5. Prophetic declaration. The verse relates to the prophetic aspect of Christianity. Believers can learn to declare God's promises over their lives and circumstances, acting as agents of His truth and purpose.
By embracing the power of speaking God’s truth over others, believers participate in a spiritual dynamic that acknowledges God's creative power, trusts in His faithfulness, and activates the transformative impact of the word of the gospel over others.
For further reading:
What Does it Mean to Be an ‘Ambassador of Christ’ in 2 Corinthians 5:20?
How to Remember That Words Do Hurt
Why Does God Speak in a Still Small Voice?
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