Posted on 09/05/2010 6:42:11 AM PDT by pastorbillrandles
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.(Romans 4:9-12)
Was Abraham blessed by God because he was circumcised,and kept God’s statutes and commands? Was that how Abraham was so blessed? Or was it the other way around? That is, that Abraham believed in the gospel, was justified, and as an outcome of that justification, he was circumcised and conformed to God’s will.
Our text tells us that it is the second option. As a sinner , Abraham believed God, and was justified before God. All of Abraham’s good works came as a result of his justification, and outflow of being made the friend of God.
It was while Abraham was uncircumcised, that God reckoned righteousness unto him. All Abraham could say of himself was, that as an idolator , he met the LORD, who told him the good news of the one who would come through his loins, to bless every family on earth. He simply believed God.
Abraham was justified by God before any of his children were born. But he was not circumcised until his son Ishmael was 13 years old. He was justified well before he rendered any ‘works’ unto God. Saving faith in God’s promise is the cause and not the effect of all good works.
Why does it matter which came first, Abraham’s faith or his works? it matters because it is deeply ingrained in the human heart to want to earn God’s blessings, to put God in debt to ourselves. This is almost the default position of humanity, to try to earn our own way, to obligate God to ourselves by our own works. It is humbling to have to be rescued by a free gift.
It is critical to understand once and for all that God cannot and will not be indebted to any man. The only way to be saved is to humbly accept by faith the gift of God’s righteousness, and that it would be impossible to earn it.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. (Romans 11:34-36)
The difference between Salvation by God’s grace and a religion that seeks to earn life by works, or obligate God, is the difference between Life and death, pride and humility, true spirituality and humanism, and even ultimately it will be the difference between heaven and hell.
Abraham was not justified by being circumcised , his circumcision came more that thirteen years after his justification. The circumcision was a seal, an evidence of his God given righteousness, it was an effect and not a cause. Abraham the idolator was justified and included in God’s purposes only by the free love and choice of the Holy God.
He is called the Father of all who believe because in Abraham, God took an idolator,revealed Himself to Him, preached the gospel to him, gave him faith to believe, justified him, and made him the Father of true faith for all time. That is the story of my life and countless millions of others also.
Though I am not physically a child of Abraham, my encounter with God as a sinner, who simply believed the gospel when it came to me, who was willing as a result of this faith, to “leave my Father’s land and kindred”(morally and spiritually) puts me in spiritual affinity with Abraham.
This is the teaching of Jesus, to the physical seed of Abraham, that it is spiritual affinity with Abraham that counts with God, not physical blood relation alone,
They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham…Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.(John 8:39-40,56)
Therefore Abraham is ever the type , not only of the true Hebrew, (literally means One who crosses over”), but of all believing gentiles. The common thread is faith in the gospel of God. Abraham believed in Jesus, he believed in the gospel, and was justified by God.
I thank God that even my measure of faith is from Him. It’s all of Him...and none of us.
where in the Bible does the words “sola fide’ (faith alone) appear?
“Was Abraham blessed by God because he was circumcised,and kept God’s statutes and commands? Was that how Abraham was so blessed? Or was it the other way around? That is, that Abraham believed in the gospel, was justified, and as an outcome of that justification, he was circumcised and conformed to God’s will.”
What gospel did Abraham believe in? There was no written gospel.
Faith and works go hand in hand, you cannot have one without the other. Abraham had both, he could not have persevered if not for both.
you post: “Faith and works go hand in hand, you cannot have one without the other. Abraham had both, he could not have persevered if not for both”
So wrote the leader of the church after Jesus was crucified: James the Just, brother of Jesus, who with his counselors, Peter and John, led the followers until he, himself, was killed in 62AD
James 2:24
24: Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
9Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” 10How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; 11and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, 12and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised. (Romans 4:1-6; 9-12)
So, as we see from Scripture, Abraham was justified by faith, as we see nothing mentioned there about any works Abraham did and no mention of works that were required by God of Abraham to be justified.
Abraham met the faith requirements God had at that time and was justified.
There were no works involved.
Who said it was in the Bible?
I am only saying the same thing Ephesians 2:8-10 is saying
What possible difference does that answer make? Seriously.
James 2:24
24: Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Who came first - Paul or James?
Who was closest to, knew personally (all his life) Jesus: John or Paul?
Who was the leader of the followers after the Crucifixion - Jesus or Paul?
Whose word might take precedence?
What works, persevering, through hell and high waters. How do you think he kept his faith going, through actions, seeking the unknown first of all, he had no clue at first but just believed.
He put this faith to work from the beginning. One does not work without the other.
Tis the protester Martin Luther who added faith alone to the Bible.
I get so tired of this argument. There is no faith without works also. Praying alone is putting your faith to work.
James 2:24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
There is no contradiction in this- Paul is saying Merit has nothing to do with Justification, you cannot earn it, deserve it or work for it James is saying that the one confessing to have faith,is making an empty confession if his faith doesn't result in corresponding works.
Yes, he was fulfilling the gospel with his actions (works).
I was referring to written gospel, he had no written gospel to go on, only what was being revealed to him and he fulfilled the ongoing gospel with his faith and actions.
True, Rose, but that is what faith is, a believing response to God’s revelation-
The “Works” Pual refers to are Meritorious works- We can’t
“Work for” pur salvation, we cannot earn it, nor can we indebt God in any way- all is of the free gift of Grace- We can only respond(As Abraham did) in Faith-
9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
The disciples didn't have such an hierarchical mindset . We don't chose between Peter,Paul or James, none of their teachings have precedence over others- These are the apostles of Jesus- their teachings do not contradict each other- they are the "Doctrine of Christ"
Some people come to God through faith and action and some come to God through action, then faith.
I detest judging. Even our Lord tells us, judge not, that thou be not judged.
Instead of arguing which came first, work on being a walking sermon and being an example that leads to a person's salvation.
Hey Rose- I am feeling judged by your last paragraph-(ha ha)
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