01/31/Su – Righteousness for All by Faith

NT: “And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while still uncircumcised. This was to make him the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, so that righteousness may be credited to them also. And he became the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith our father Abraham had while he was still uncircumcised.” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭4:11-12‬ ‭CSB)

Abraham was declared righteous by God before he was circumcised. Abraham was declared righteous by God long before the law was given to Moses. Circumcision didn’t make Abraham righteous. The Law didn’t make Abraham righteous. God declared Abraham to be righteous because Abraham believed God. The circumcision that Abraham received and then passed down to his descendants was merely an outward sign of what had already occurred by faith. It was a reminder of God’s covenant and Abraham’s faith in that covenant. Circumcision didn’t make Abraham a Jew. Following the Law didn’t make Abraham a Jew. Abraham became a Jew by faith in God. Therefore, there is no Jewish prerequisite for redemption and justification. Any person can become redeemed and justified and enter Abraham’s lineage of blessing by faith in Jesus Christ.

Psalms: “The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.” They are corrupt; they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there is one who is wise, one who seeks God.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭14:1-2‬ ‭CSB)

The Apostle Paul actually quoted from this scripture earlier in Romans when he was describing the guilt of all humanity. In these two verses, David broke down the main distinguisher between the foolish and the wise. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” He may not ever say that aloud – but he definitely says it in his heart – and it becomes evidenced through his words, actions and attitudes. Because he inwardly doesn’t believe in God, he becomes his own god and lives blindly in his own understanding, according to his own relative truth and morality. A wise person has faith in and thus seeks God. God is ever seeking out those who believe that He is – and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. God the Father is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. This psalm goes on to say that God is with those who are righteous. How does one become righteous? How does one become wise? By placing a steadfast life-saving faith in Jesus Christ, repenting and laying aside every weight and sin, fixing his eyes on Jesus and following after Him.