daily spiritual reflection - apr. 7

BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY: 

2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."**
Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them."***
Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
- Romans 4:2-12

Footnotes:
** (Romans 4:3) - Gen. 15:6; also in verse 22
*** (Romans 4:8) - Psalm 32:1,2

THOUGHT: I have to take my time when reading through Romans; otherwise, it goes right over my head. Allow me to break down this passage (for my sake): Was Abraham justified by his good works? | Abraham believed God = righteousness | Workers receive obligated wages | Those people who don't work but who instead trust God receive righteousness as a wage | David (the Psalmist and King) talks about this God who gives righteousness without requiring work. | Do both the circumcised and the uncircumcised receive God's blessing? | Well, did Abraham receive God's blessing before or after circumcision? | Before. | Circumcision was a sign or seal of the righteousness that Abraham received from God. Abraham placed his faith in God before his circumcision. | Therefore, Abraham is the father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised, so that these uncircumcised may receive righteousness as an inheritance. | Abraham is also the ancestor of the circumcised, who both carry the sign and seal of faith (circumcision) and believe in God, something that Abraham did before receiving the seal of circumcision.

Phew! Thanks for bearing with me! I feel as if I understand Paul's words a whole lot better than I did before. Perhaps you do too?

CHALLENGE: Do you perform good works? Are you circumcised? Are you relying on these exterior manifestations as the currency with which to receive righteousness from God? Or are these simply signs or seals of the righteousness that God offers you for simply placing your faith in him? Think about some or all of these questions. Consider transferring your ideas to paper. Talk it over with a friend, and take it to God in prayer.

Looking for more? Continue reading in Romans; try putting Paul's ideas into your own words. 

Peace,
Alan