Devotionals for July 19, 2023
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READ
ROMANS 4:9-12
Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our Father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our Father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
REFLECT
From the beginning, God has honored the “footsteps of faith,” not outward signs or rituals. Paul’s point is super interesting here: That God credited righteousness to Abraham because of his faith before he was circumcised. This physical sign represented the unique calling of Israel to be set apart for God. But the physical sign didn’t make one eternally clean or righteous before God. Praise God we can all enter in His kingdom through faith in Jesus!
APPLY
Q: How is God the Father of both the circumcised and uncircumcised according to Paul?
Q: Which outward rituals, works, or signs may you trust in more than the finished work of Jesus?
Q: Why is it important to preach faith in the finished works of Jesus rather than showcasing our religious deeds on their own?
Q: Which outward rituals, works, or signs may you trust in more than the finished work of Jesus?
Q: Why is it important to preach faith in the finished works of Jesus rather than showcasing our religious deeds on their own?
SING
PRAY
"Give us today our daily bread."
Thank you, Lord, for being my source of righteousness! You are Jehovah Jireh, the provider of all things. I praise your holy and good name! Amen.
Thank you, Lord, for being my source of righteousness! You are Jehovah Jireh, the provider of all things. I praise your holy and good name! Amen.