(Read Romans 4:9-15)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to look at The Law given under Moses vs. the Grace provided by Jesus. Yesterday we looked at the Covenant God had with Abraham. God promised to blessed Abraham, to make his name great, and to bless all the families of the earth through him. God did not make this promise because Abraham earned it or deserved it. The promise did not even come because Abraham asked for it. The promise was God’s idea. God blessed Abraham out of HIs goodness, by Grace.
When teaching on the Blessing of Abraham, Paul asked the question, “Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles?” The issue of circumcision was a big one for Jews. Physical circumcision was a major dividing factor between Jews and Gentiles under the Old Testament. But Paul, making the point that it was not required for New Testament Gentile believers, made it clear in Romans 4 that even Abraham himself was blessed by God before his was circumcised. Paul said, “Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith.” Paul’s point is that all of us (non-Jews) who were not circumcised for any religious reasons, are still spiritual sons of Abraham because, like Abraham, we are declared righteous by faith and not by works. This does not mean that Jews who were circumcised for religious reasons are not sons of Abraham. So Paul continued, “Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.” Even when dealing with circumcised Jews, Paul puts the emphasis on faith and not circumcision.
Finally, Paul goes on to say, “Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless. For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)” I will stop here for today.
So what does this mean to you today? Here are a few golden nuggets:
1. Abraham was declared righteous by faith and not by works (Rom 4:9).
2. Circumcision did not make Abraham righteous, nor can any work make us righteous (Rom 4:11).
3. Anyone who believes God and who is declared righteous by faith is a spiritual son of Abraham and therefore blessed to BE a blessing in the earth (Rom 4:11).
4. If God’s promise — to receive His blessing in order to BE a blessing — is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless (Rom 4:14).
5. The Law always brings punishment to those who try to obey it (Rom 4:15).
6. The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break! (Rom 4:15). The only way to ensure your kids don’t break your rules, is to NOT give them any. Any rule you give them, they will break it.
7. The Law was not designed to make you right, it was designed to show you how wrong you are, so you can acknowledge your need for a Savior!
8. The law gives sin its power (1 Cor 15:56). Grace gives faith its power!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for Abraham and the example I see in him. You did not bless Abraham because he obeyed the Law. Abraham could not have observed the Law, because it was given 430 years later. Abraham was circumcised, but You did not promise to bless him because he submitted to circumcision. You promised to bless him by Grace and he had the faith to believe it. He was declared righteous by faith and he was then circumcised as an outward expression of that righteousness. Like Abraham, I believe You Father and I am made right because of what and who I believe in, not because of my works. I don’t earn my righteousness, I believe for my righteousness. I am the righteousness of God by faith. I have been declared right, because I have exercised faith in Jesus the Christ as my Lord. Like Abraham, I am not under the Law, but under Grace. By Grace I accept all You have planned to do in, with and through my life, and by faith I seek to do it. I don’t pursue Your purpose because I am perfect or because I am so good. I pursue Your purpose because I am forgiven and because You are so good. So Father, I don’t focus on the Law, because the Law gives sin its strength. I focus on You and Your Grace, because Your Grace gives my faith it’s strength! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
