“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: and the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.” Romans 4:11-12
Circumcision was a sign and seal that one was a partaker of God’s covenant and, like Abraham, counted just and righteous in God’s eyes through faith in God’s promise of a Savior. Thus, Abraham is the father of all who trust God’s promise of mercy and forgiveness in the Messiah and Savior, whether circumcised or uncircumcised. New Testament baptism supersedes Old Testament circumcision and is the circumcision made without hands, the circumcision of Christ, the sign and seal that we are partakers of God’s new covenant of grace, and our sins are washed away in Jesus’ shed blood. It signifies that we are now dead to sin and alive to God through faith in Christ Jesus (cf. Col. 2:11ff.).
O Lord, grant that I do not view baptism as my work but as Your gracious work, making me a partaker of the New Covenant in Your blood, in which I have forgiveness for all my sins and a place in Your everlasting kingdom through faith in You and Your atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. Amen.
[Scripture is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“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.]
