What Faith Really Is

What Paul is doing in Romans, chapter 4 is bringing an Old Testament character into view, and examining his life to demonstrate that salvation is, always has been, and always will be by faith, and by faith alone.
Abraham becomes the great example of justification by faith in the New Testament. And the entire forth chapter of Romans is given over to the example of Abraham and his faith. It is important to note here, that it is not just believing the Word of God, the promise of God, but it is believing in the giver of the promise, that is crucial. There is no more important issue in time or eternity for us as human beings than the issue of how is a fallen, sinful human being going to be made right before God. Eternity hinges on this question.