by John Carpenter | Apr 17, 2026 | Devotional
“For the Promise – that he – would be the heir of the World – was not to Abraham – or to his Seed – through the Law – but – through the righteousness of Faith. (14) For if those who are of the Law are heirs – Faith – is made void – the Promise – made of no effect (15) because the Law – brings about Wrath; for where no Law is – there is no Transgression! (16) Therefore, it is of Faith – that it might be – according to Grace – so that the Promise – might be sure to – 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! (17) According as it is written, I have made thee a Father of many nations – before Him – whom he believed – God – who quickeneth the dead – and calleth those things which be not – as though they were!” [Ro.4:13-17]
“He (i.e. Abraham) did not waver – at the Promise of God – through unbelief – but was strengthened in Faith – giving Glory – to God (21) and being fully persuaded that what He had Promised – He was able also to perform.” [Ro.4:20-21]
Since January we have been looking at these texts which focus on God’s promise unto Abraham, Sarah – and their Seed. We have concluded that – according to the Bible – God’s Promise unto Abraham (including Sarah and their Seed, Isaac) – where the history of this fallen world is concerned – is the Gospel Promise of the Glory, only, of our Lord Jesus Christ – the only Sovereign Savior Substitute – that there ever was – is – or ever will be. And, this “Promise of the Gospel of God” – unto His chosen one Abraham – constitutes God’s declaration and report of God’s Gospel of Eternal Salvation – unto all His Elect! This is what is referred to from Ge.12:1-3 where it is recorded what God spoke directly to Abram – when He said unto him:
“Get thee out of thy country – and from thy kindred and from thy father’s house – unto a land that I will show thee (2) And I will make thee a Great Nation – and I will Bless thee and make thy name Great and thou shalt be a Blessing.(3) And I will Bless them that bless thee – and curse him that curseth thee – and in thee shall All Families of the Earth be Blessed!”
This Gospel Truth is made clear and plain from the Word of God – in the apostle Paul’s epistle unto the Galatians in the New Testament. (See Ga.3:8> “And the scripture foreseeing that God – would Justify the Heathen through Faith – Preached before – the Gospel unto Abraham – saying – in thee shall All Nations Be Blessed!”) Paul – inspired by the Holy Spirit – correlates this statement concerning God as the one proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ unto Abraham – in His telling him that He (God) was going to Bless him and spiritually impact every Family in all the Nations of fallen and sinful earth!
Now we know from history that God did not mean everybody in all the earth – but “Somebody” from every Family in fallen earth’s history! This points directly to the Biblical Doctrine of God’s personal Election unto Eternal Salvation! This makes the Bible (earthly) story – of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac – a phenomenal and spiritually significant paradigm of the whole History of Redemption! This gives us a description of the Entire Elect Family of God – whom the Father gave unto His Only Begotten Son – and then sent Him into this world to Save them (see 1Ti.1:15). And as being God’s Eternal Lamb – Slain from the Foundation of this sinful fallen world (see Re.13:8) – He then Sealed All Their Eternal Salvation (see 2Ti.2:19) through His Resurrection from among the sinful dead! Which Resurrection we have just celebrated just this last Sunday – Praise the Name of Our Risen Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!
And, just think of it – all of us who have been drawn to Christ – He Will Raise Up Us – Also! Amen!
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Mar 16, 2026 | Devotional
“For the Promise – that he – would be the heir of the World – was not to Abraham – or to his Seed – through the Law – but – through the Righteousness of Faith. (14) For if those who are of the Law are heirs – Faith – is made void – the Promise – made of no effect (15) because the Law – brings about Wrath; for where no Law is – there is no Transgression! (16) Therefore, it is of Faith – that it might be – according to Grace – so that the Promise – might be sure to – 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! (17) According as it is written, I have made thee a Father of many nations – before Him – whom he believed – God – who quickeneth the dead – and calleth those things which be not – as though they were!” [Ro.4:13-17]
“He (i.e. Abraham) did not waver – at the Promise of God – through unbelief – but was strengthened in Faith – giving Glory – to God (21) and being fully persuaded that what He (God) had Promised – He (God) was able also to perform.” [Ro.4:20-21]
Last month we made some brief comments on Ro.4:13 – the context of which truly describes and defines God’s “Promise” unto Abraham – and his “Seed”. This text plainly reveals that our Sovereign Lord God is the One who makes His “Promise” unto Abraham (and Sara) and his (Earthly and Spiritual) “Seed”! It is, also, “This Gospel Truth Event” which the Holy Spirit uses to — inspire the Apostle Paul when he declares unto the pagan and demon worshipping Galatians – that when God Promised Abraham and his “Seed” – that the Galatians, too, were included among the “Seed of Abraham”! Why? because they, also, truly believed in God through his preaching! It is through the Righteousness of Faith that describes and defines Who really are Abraham’s Seed!
This is what the Word of God says: “Even as Abraham believed God, – and it was accounted to him for Righteousness. (7) Know ye therefore – that they which are of Faith – THEY – are the Sons of Abraham. (8) And the Scripture foreseeing [or, more literally: God’s Word Foreknowing] that God – would Justify the Heathen through Faith [i.e. God would Justify the Heathen – meaning lit. His elect unto eternal Salvation – even – God’s Elect from out of all heathen nations] Just like He did with Abraham — him being a pagan Chaldean. It is God – who Preached before [i.e. Preached in advance] the Gospel – unto Abraham – saying – In thee shall all nations be Blessed. (9) So then – that which be of Faith [i.e. “of the Faith of Jesus Christ”; see Gal.2:16] – are Blessed with faithful Abraham.” [Gal.3:6-9]
And, hence, there is more than one Righteous conclusion to be made from the overall context of the Ro.4:13-17 and 20-21 texts. Each conclusion that can be drawn — directs all our thoughts directly to the Person and the Eternally Accomplished Work of Christ, our Savior! First of all – Everything that God Promised to Abraham – Abraham “Believed”– Not that he could perform and fulfill God’s Promise – but that Only God, Himself – would be able to perform and fulfill – His own Word of Promise! And, this Eternal Salvation Truth – is the very foundation of a true living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ while we are still here throughout our entire walk through this sinful age! If our Salvation is not – ALL Christ – then it is ALL wrong!
Before we leave this all important Context – we will bring forward more pure Truth Points of the Gospel of Glory, only, of the Lord Jesus. Praise the Saving Name of the Lord!
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Feb 17, 2026 | Devotional
“For the Promise – that he – would be the heir of the World – was not to Abraham – or to his Seed – through the Law – but – through the righteousness of Faith. (14) For if those who are of the Law are heirs – Faith – is made void – the Promise – made of no effect (15) because the Law – brings about Wrath; for where no Law is – there is no Transgression! (16) Therefore, it is of Faith – that it might be – according to Grace – so that 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! (17) According as it is written, I have made thee a Father of many nations – before Him – whom he believed – God – who quickeneth the dead – and calleth those things which be not – as though they were!” [Ro.4:13-17]
“He (i.e. Abraham) did not waver – at the Promise of God – through unbelief – but was strengthened in Faith – giving Glory – to God (21) and being fully persuaded that what He had Promised – He was able also to perform.” [Ro.4:20-21]
These texts were a large part of the context of our January Prayer/Newsletter. We hope to expand on the fact that the “Promise” is the same as what is being referred to from He.10:23. However, from what is being descriptively declared in the texts above from Ro.4 – the “Promise” is contextually being declared and examined in view of God as – “the Promiser” – instead of Abraham — the one unto whom “the Promise” was given! It is This fact that makes all the difference in the world! And, in addition, through what means “the Promise of God” was being given unto Abraham! Was the “Promise of God” being delivered unto Abraham “through the Law” (?) or “through the Righteousness of Faith”(?). The answer to that is obvious since God would not give His Law until over 400 years later. This descriptively declares that the “Promise of God” was given to Abraham “through the Righteousness of Faith”.
Now then – what exactly does all this really mean? Or, more pointedly – to “Whom” does this phrase really give attention to? We must look a little closer at what Ro.4:13-17 says about God’s Promise to His chosen one – Abraham – whom He “alone” (Is. 51:2) called out of the sinful, pagan environment of Ur of the Chaldees. This great text says of God’s Promise unto Abraham (and his seed) – that it would NOT be fulfilled “through the Law”. No! He told Abraham that His Promise would be fulfilled through a means that was not noticeably even in existence in Abraham’s present sinful, pagan world! God – revealed Himself unto Abraham – and told him to get out of his country – and away from even his kin – and even away from his father’s household! God “Promised” Abram that his family would be made into a “Great Nation”! And, that He would be blessed and that his name would be blessed – and that he would be God’s blessing unto all the families of (sinful, fallen) earth! [See Ge.12:2-3] Indeed, God’s Promised Blessing unto Abraham and his seed would come to pass – NOT through the Law – But through the Righteousness of Faith!
So then, the direction of the communication from Ro.4 – to which — God’s Written Word is taking us – is directly unto Christ Jesus, the Lord! He is forever our heavenly Advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous. It is through Him and His eternal wonderful accomplished work – that through Him — as our Kinsman Redeemer – that we have been forever Declared Righteous – and – Forever Saved!
We will continue to look more into this matter – until next time… — John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Jan 10, 2026 | Devotional
“Let us hold fast the Confession of (He – who is our) Hope – without wavering – for He who promised is Faithful.” [He.10:23]
“For the Promise – that he – would be the heir of the World – was not to Abraham – or to his Seed – through the Law – but – through the righteousness of Faith. (14) For IF those who are of the Law are heirs – Faith – is made void – the Promise – made of no effect (15) because the Law – brings about Wrath; for where no Law is – there is no Transgression! (16) Therefore, it is of Faith – that it might be – according to Grace – so that 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! (17) According as it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations – before Him whom he believed – God – who quickeneth the dead – and calleth those things which be not – as though they were!” [Ro.4:13-17]
“He (i.e. Abraham) did not waver – at the Promise of God – through unbelief – but was strengthened in Faith – giving Glory – to God (21) and being fully persuaded that what He had Promised – He was able also to perform.” [Ro.4:20-21]
There’s no better way to begin – a New Beginning – of a whole New Year — than encouraging one another to “hold fast” the “Confession of our Hope” (the KJV says: “Profession” – which rightly emphasizes the fact that the testimony comes right out of our mouths, but the word literally refers to that which God – or His Word – has already said!) The word “Confession” that is used in this context, literally means: To say the same thing – as God (or His Word) has already said. So then, the confession of our Hope – is actually the confession of Christ being our Eternal Savior – for our Hope – is Christ! This is what the Truth is that He has declared about Himself being our only Hope of ever being truly and eternally saved from our sins – about our ever really and truly being Redeemed and Reconciled Forever with Holy, Holy, Holy – God!
For it is Jesus who is the Eternal Son — of Almighty, All Knowing, All Present, All Holy and All Glorious — God – whom He (God) sent into the actual history of this entirely fallen-in-sin world – to save sinners…like you and like me [see: 1Ti.1:15]. God’s Word says of Jesus – “For in Him – dwelleth all the Fullness of the Godhead – Bodily…” that’s all the Fullness of the Father – the Son – and the Holy Spirit! Why? So that the next phrase would be absolutely true also – “And ye are Complete (or, full) in Him – Who is the Head of all principality and power.” [Col.2:9-10]
The Triune God – chose us and placed us – In Him (Jesus) – “before the foundation of the world that we should be Holy and Without Blame – Before Him – in Love…” [See Eph.1:4] This means that He chose us and placed us – in Christ – In Eternity – From Eternity – and For Eternity! He, Jesus, is the only Eternal Savior — that there ever was – is – or ever will be!
From the very context of Eph.4:4-6 – the Word of God descriptively declares that “There is one Body – and One Spirit – even as ye were Called – in One Hope of your Calling – (5) One Lord – One Faith – One Baptism (6) One God and One Father of all – and through all – and in you all!”
All those whom the Father gave to His Son – to be their Savior; Jesus has come and He has done just that! That’s why He is said to be our “All and in all” [Col.3:11]. Until the next time… Amen!
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Dec 11, 2025 | Devotional
“Let us hold fast the Confession of (He who is) our Hope – without wavering for He who promised is Faithful.” [He.10:23]
“For the Promise – that he – would be the heir of the World – was not to Abraham – or to his Seed – through the Law – but – through the righteousness of Faith. (14) For if those who are of the Law are heirs – Faith – is made void – the Promise – made of no effect (15) because the Law – brings about Wrath; for where no Law is – there is no Transgression! (16) Therefore, it is of Faith – that it might be – according to Grace – so that the Promise – might be sure to – 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! (17) According as it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations – before Him whom he believed – God – who quickeneth the dead – and calleth those things which be not – as though they were!” [Ro.4:13-17]
“He (i.e. Abraham) did not waver – at the Promise of God – through unbelief – but was strengthened in Faith – giving Glory – to God (21) and being fully persuaded that what He had Promised – He was able also to perform.” [Ro.4:20-21]
If you recall, we looked last month at the person and eternally accomplished work of Christ Jesus our eternal Savior – and how He, indeed, is “the full assurance” of our Hope – where the eternal salvation of our soul is concerned. It is all because of Him and Him alone! He has fulfilled all the Holy, Holy, Holy requirements of the Holy, Just – Good and Perfect – Law of God that our salvation demands. He has done this great miraculous work for us all the way to the end of time and then on throughout all of eternity! The Word of the Truth of this Gospel – descriptively declares that if we have been eternally Saved – it has been completely worked out – all by our Lord Jesus Christ! If it’s not all Christ – then it’s all wrong! Our Salvation is a love Gift from our God!
“For God so loved the World – that He gave His only begotten Son – that whosoever believeth in Him – should not perish – but have everlasting life.” [Jn.3:16] “For the wages of sin is death – but the Gift of God is eternal life – through Jesus Christ out Lord.” [Ro.6:23] “For by Grace are ye saved – through Faith – and that not of yourselves – it is the Gift of God – not of works – lest any man should boast!” [Eph.2:8-9] “All that the Father giveth me – shall come to me – and him that cometh to me – I will in no wise cast out!” [Jn.6:37]
The Gift of God is His Son our Savior and Lord. The very context of this present Christmas Season makes it the perfect time to celebrate our reception of our Eternal Redeemer! “As many as Received Him – (lit.) He gave to them authority to be Children of God – to those that believe on His Name; (13) who – not of blood – nor out of the will flesh – nor out of the will of man – but out of God – were born.” [Jn.1:12-13]
The Lord Jesus Christ is our Faith – our Hope – and He is the Love Gift into us from our great and Almighty God. Having taken up residency in our hearts – God’s everlasting Love has come into us – works through us – and becomes increasingly exuded from us – back to Him and to each one of us! We shall see this as the scripture describes it in the coming monthly devotionals. Amen.
— John Carpenter
by John Carpenter | Nov 27, 2025 | Devotional
“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ – according to the command of God our Savior – and of the Lord Jesus Christ – our Hope (2) to Timothy a true child (lit.) in the Faith — Grace, Mercy, Peace from God our Father – and Christ Jesus our Lord.” [1Ti.1:1-2]
“Christ – as a Son over (lit.) God’s own Household – whose house are we – if, indeed, (lit.) the boldness [or the confidence] and the rejoicing of the Hope – firm (or, stedfast) – unto the end – we should hold.” [He.3:6]
“But we desire each of you — the same diligence – to show – to the full assurance of the Hope – unto the end; (12) that ye be not slothful – but imitators of those who through faith and long patience – inherit the promises. (13) For God having promised to Abraham – since by no one greater than He (Himself) to swear by – He swore by Himself — (14) saying – Surely [or, Assuredly] Blessing – I will Bless thee – and Multiplying – I will Multiply thee! (15) And, thus — having had long patience – he [i.e. Abraham] Obtained the Promise.” [He..6:11-15]
“Let us hold fast – the confession of our Hope [which is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ] – without wavering – He is faithful that promised” [He.10:23]
The above texts describe the encouraging Truth that the Lord Jesus Christ – along with everything else that He is unto His saved ones – He is also: “the Full Assurance of our Hope”!
I printed out the exact wording of these texts from the original language of the New Testament in order to give you the impact of the original translation. What is described here is the actual God-Breathed communication. The first context above is simply Paul’s opening remarks to his first letter to Timothy wherein he identifies himself as an apostle according to the “Command” of God and (as he goes on to say) the Lord Jesus our “Hope”.
The next context comes from the book of Hebrews – and from this book in three different places. The first is from He.3:6 which text announces to us that the Lord Jesus as the Son of God incarnate is the Head of God’s own Household and in whom we have been eternally saved by Him – in fact, we are His Household! And, we always will be – even while we are still in this fallen-in-sin world – as long as we hold fast to the Truth – concerning Who it is that is our certain Hope – which is all and only Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior! Praise His Wonderful Name!
Next we turn to He.6:11-15 and we see this same theme more fully expanded. From this text it is announced that each one of God’s – by grace saved sinner/children – still in this world — have a full assurance of Hope that Jesus Christ is their full and complete salvation — all the way to the end! And it’s all Christ’s doing! We hold fast to Him – because He has an eternal hold upon each one of us! He has done it all – and that’s just way that it is – Praise His Name! This points us to He.10:23 where we are told that our Hope – has been by God – eternally fulfilled – in our Lord Jesus Christ.
What God has promised – He has done through His Son, our everlasting Savior! Lord willing we will see exactly what that means – more fully.
— John Carpenter
