Post by Woody Williams on Mar 9, 2007 5:58:55 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Romans 4:1-5, 9-11
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What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according
to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something
to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say?
"Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as
something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies
the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.
Is this blessedness, then, pronounced only on the circumcised, or
also on the uncircumcised? We say, "Faith was reckoned to Abraham as
righteousness." How then was it reckoned to him? Was it before or
after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was
circumcised. 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 ancestor of all who believe without
being circumcised and who thus have righteousness reckoned to them.
Devotional
----------
Faith, trust in God's love and love are the basis of our acceptance
and blessedness with God. It is not our deeds and actions that bind
us to God's gracious covenant. Paul uses the example of Abraham, who
trusted in God's word to him and believed he was in God's favor by
God's invitation and not his obedience. The Gospel calls us to
believe the same thing with regard to our own salvation. It is a gift
of grace and is apprehended by faith. We don't have to convince God
to love us. God does love you!
Prayer
-----------
Thank you, Lord, that you have found me and have called me into
fellowship with you. Amen
----------
What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according
to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something
to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say?
"Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as
something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies
the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.
Is this blessedness, then, pronounced only on the circumcised, or
also on the uncircumcised? We say, "Faith was reckoned to Abraham as
righteousness." How then was it reckoned to him? Was it before or
after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was
circumcised. 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 ancestor of all who believe without
being circumcised and who thus have righteousness reckoned to them.
Devotional
----------
Faith, trust in God's love and love are the basis of our acceptance
and blessedness with God. It is not our deeds and actions that bind
us to God's gracious covenant. Paul uses the example of Abraham, who
trusted in God's word to him and believed he was in God's favor by
God's invitation and not his obedience. The Gospel calls us to
believe the same thing with regard to our own salvation. It is a gift
of grace and is apprehended by faith. We don't have to convince God
to love us. God does love you!
Prayer
-----------
Thank you, Lord, that you have found me and have called me into
fellowship with you. Amen