How Should We Understand Romans 4:17?

Q: How should I understand Romans 4:17, where it says God calls those things which do not exist as though they did? Some claim that as a believer, I can also call for things that are not as if they were. What do you think?

A: To understand Romans 4:17, we need to recognize the distinction between God and us. God is God, and we are not. It is true that we are partakers of the divine nature, as Peter describes, and we have Christ in us, which is the hope of glory. The status of the believer is indeed wonderful and glorious.

However, it is only God's place to call those things which are not into being. This unique creative power belongs solely to God, and humanity does not share in that. While we benefit from God's creative power, the idea that a believer can do everything that God does blurs the line between deity and humanity, even redeemed humanity.

I want to emphasize the amazing position we have in Jesus Christ, but it does not elevate us to the status of gods, as some prosperity teachers have suggested. We are simply different from God, and that distinction is important.