I. The Word: Romans 4:9-12

9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

II. Reflection Questions:

1. What do you think it means to be in right standing with God? (optional)
2. Do you feel confident (or secure) in your salvation/relationship with God?
3. If so, what is that confidence/security based on? If not, what do you think it would take to make you feel secure and in right standing with God?

Today’s verses depict how Abraham came to be counted as righteous in God’s sight. We see that it was his faith that was counted to him as righteousness (v.9), but the question is what did Abraham put his faith in to make him righteous?

Verse 10 reveals that Abraham was not putting his faith in the act of circumcision to make him righteous because he believed he was righteous before he was circumcised. [Here, circumcision symbolizes the act of setting yourself apart by the cutting away of flesh–or the sinful nature that every person is born with].

If Abraham believed he was righteous after he was circumcised, then his righteousness would be based on something he did. Abraham wasn’t counting on anything he could do to make himself righteous before God. He was relying entirely on God’s promise to make him righteous based on the finished work of Jesus Christ.

There is a certain level of pride that arises from doing good works. At the opening of Romans 4, it states that if Abraham had been justified by his works, he would have had something to boast about.

We all know what it’s like to work hard and achieve goals. It feels good. There’s a satisfaction that comes from accomplishing something with our own strength and determination.

That all sounds well and good in our work-centric, fast-paced culture where achievement and effort are applauded. The only problem with that is no one is capable of fulfilling the law in its entirety. No one except our Lord and Savior, King Jesus Christ.

If we put our faith in anything but Jesus, we are doomed to fail no matter how hard we try. Apart from Jesus, there is no hope of ever meeting God’s standard of holiness. This is a crucial realization to make to fully grasp the immensity of God’s grace toward sinful humanity.

It is only after we receive God’s free gift of righteousness, that we can be empowered to live out the godly lives Christ has won for us. Verse 11 goes on to say that Abraham received circumcision as a seal of the righteousness he received by faith.

Although Abraham received righteousness as a gift, he didn’t continue living the sinful, idolatrous lifestyle of his ancestors. He set himself apart and lived in faith and obedience to God. By faith in God’s promise, he and Sarah bore a child in their old age. The Bible later refers to Abraham as “the father of our faith” and a “friend of God.”

These are wonderful reminders that our faith has a heritage which stems from one man’s willingness to believe and because of that, friendship with God is a very real possibility.

Placing faith in Jesus shifts all of the burden to attain righteousness off of ourselves and all of the glory onto God, right where it rightfully belongs.

Let’s praise God for the free gift of righteousness that costed Him everything–His very own Son, the only truly worthy object of our faith.