Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for theuncircumcised? 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.
I don't think we can overemphasize this point. My righteousness is a consequence of my faith. Therefore, without faith, there is no righteousness, there is no transformation, there is no life in the Kingdom. Nada!
A sequence of four powerful and important words. Faith implies trust. Trust Implies commitment. Commitment implies obedience. Obedience leads to the righteousness, peace and joy that is life in the Kingdom of God.
Today's readings in the Psalms:
Morning: Psalm 61
Mid-day: 119:65-72
Evening: Psalm 137
Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at theFellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.
