“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still 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 (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.
“Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.” 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.
“…just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall 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.
“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 of 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 Revised 1833 Webster Version of the Bible.]
“… being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he may be just, and the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:24-26
God is just and righteous to forgive the sins of all who place their faith in Christ Jesus and His shed blood — whether they lived before Christ or after His death and resurrection — because Christ paid the just penalty for all sins when He suffered and died on the cross.
Thank You, O gracious God, for granting me pardon and forgiveness through faith in Christ Jesus, who died for the sins of all and rose again so that those who look to Him in faith may be saved. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the Revised Webster Version of the Bible.]
