“Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:23-25
The Bible’s testimony that Abraham was justified and counted righteous through faith in God’s promise was recorded not just for Abraham but for us also, teaching us that God will count us righteous in His sight when we trust in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and was raised again that we might be forgiven and justified through faith in Him.
O gracious and merciful God, as Abraham was justified by faith in the promised Seed, grant that we too are counted just and righteous through faith in Christ Jesus, the Seed of Abraham and Son of God who died for our sins and rose again that we might be justified through faith in Him and His atoning sacrifice on the cross. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the Revised Webster Version of the Bible.]
“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.]
