As we become more familiar with the Bible, we will see God’s promise-keeping nature more clearly. When we think of Him, we will know in our bones that He keeps every promise, despite how things might appear to us. We will praise Him, because His faithfulness is a glorious part of His character. And we will, like Abraham, grow strong in our faith.

I became a Christian early in college, and I will never forget the support I found there. I can’t imagine starting my Christian life without those friends, mentors, and church families.

When I went to graduate school, God continued to provide—a wonderful church along with a community of Christian graduate students. A friend who helped lead that group had such an impact on me and my wife that he helped to officiate our wedding.¹

This man with a Ph.D. in Biblical studies was a gifted teacher. He could explain complex theological terms and ideas in memorable ways. I don’t think I’ll ever forget his shorthand definition of biblical faith: Faith is trusting God to keep his promises.

This isn’t everything one would want to say about faith. In a classroom setting, we would add context and qualification. But over time I’ve appreciated this definition so much. This friend took years of study and volumes of reading and gave me a sticky way to keep this important term in my brain.

It’s only recently that I think I’ve found the best single passage to defend this short definition.

Faith, Promises, and Grace

The book of Romans is no joke. It is a theological titan among the other books of the Bible.

In Romans 4, after Paul writes about Abraham and justification, he turns to the matter of faith and the promises of God.

For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.
Romans 4:13-14

Imagine how surprised first-century Pharisees must have been by this particular passage. Wait, righteousness doesn’t depend on adhering to the law? No, it comes through faith, and that faith depends on God’s promises.

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (Romans 4:16)

Further, the promises of God rest on grace. Paul could not be any clearer: faith is key, not obedience to the law.

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