Romans 4:9-13 [1]
Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 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. 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, 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. For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
Interesting point. Abraham's promises were received before he was sealed by the sign of circumcision. Likewise ours are made to us before we are sealed by the Holy Spirit.
But Abraham was not a father until after he acted in faith. And then he began to see the fruit of the promises. So we, acting in faith and trusting in God, believing that Jesus the Christ is the Son of the Living God, seeking to live in accordance with the Word of God, that we truly begin to live in the Kingdom of God. Then the righteousness. peace and joy of the Holy Spirit begin to indwell our very being.
Today's readings in the Psalms:
Morning: Psalm 59
Mid-day: 119:49-56
Evening: Psalm 135
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