“Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.” Romans 4:9-10
Are we forgiven and counted righteous in God’s eyes by being circumcised and keeping the laws and commandments of the Mosaic law? No! As Abraham was counted righteous through faith in the promises of God before he was circumcised, we, too, are forgiven and counted righteous in God’s sight through faith alone in Jesus Christ and not by any of our works under the law.
O merciful Father, grant that I trust in Christ Jesus alone and not in my works under the law that I might be justified by faith and acceptable in Your sight for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
The world is so full of falsehood, misinformation, and lies that it is hard to know the truth. Jesus told His hearers that the way to know the truth is to continue in His Word. And those who continue in His Word will know the truth, and the truth will make them free. The freedom of which Jesus speaks is not a freedom from worldly oppression, but freedom from the dominion of sin and its eternal consequences.
Dear Lord Jesus, grant that I continue in Your Word, that I may learn the truth about my sinful ways and look in faith to You and Your cross for pardon and forgiveness, and then walk in the way of truth. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Romans 4:6-8
David, in Psalm 32, speaks of the blessed state of one who has forgiveness of sins through faith in God’s promises, whose sins are covered by the shed blood of Jesus, our Messiah and Savior. When we repent of our sins and turn in faith to the LORD God for mercy, He is gracious to us and forgives all our sins for the sake of Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross.
I acknowledge my sinfulness unto You, O Lord. Graciously forgive my sins for the sake of Christ Jesus and His innocent sufferings and death in my stead. Amen.
[Scripture is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:4-5
Abraham’s righteousness was not earned but by grace because God imputed it to him when he believed God’s promises. So also, we are counted righteous in God’s eyes, not by our works but through faith in God’s promise to forgive our sins and count us righteous when we flee for mercy to Christ Jesus and His cross.
O gracious Holy Spirit, grant me faith in the promises of Your Word, promises of forgiveness for all my sins and life eternal through faith in the perfect life and innocent sufferings and death of Christ Jesus in my stead. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Romans 4:1-3
How was Abraham justified and counted righteous and acceptable by God? By works or through faith? The Bible says in Genesis 15:6 that Abraham “believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Abraham was not justified by works but through faith in God’s promise of a Messiah and Savior, and so too are believers today.
O gracious and merciful Father, I thank You for counting me righteous and acceptable in Your sight through faith in Your promise of forgiveness and life in Christ Jesus and His cross. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
