Romans 4:9-12 - Not by any of our works

Romans 4:9-12

Is this blessing then upon the circumcised, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS RECKONED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." How then was it reckoned? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be reckoned to them, and 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. 

Message: Not by any of our works

Time: The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans from the Greek city of Corinth in AD 57, just three years after the 16 year old Nero had ascended to the throne as Emperor of Rome. Persecution of Christians wouldn't begin until AD 64. The church was experiencing times of relative peace. From where he wrote, Corinth, was a hotbed of sexual immorality and idol worship.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Well, I am back to trying to get into the word after having the COVID-19 virus during the month of January. As I think about this lesson, I am reminded of Bible Study Fellowship and our study of Genesis and Abraham. 

Abraham instituted the covenant of circumcision at the age of 99, as related in chapter 17 of Genesis. This is when God changes Abram's name to Abraham. What Paul is relating to us here in this passage is that prior to this, in Genesis 15:6 is the acknowledgement from Abraham of believing in the Lord and He (God) reckoned it to him as righteousness. So Paul is calling attention to this as he speaks to the Jews of the day that being declared righteousness preceded the work of circumcision. That the covenant followed his salvation or his declaration of righteousness. He is not belittling the act of circumcision but is simply stating that the work of circumcision, in this instance, followed the reckoning of Abraham as being righteous and the Lord made many promises to Abraham as well, up to this point. God had spoken to him Genesis 13 and commissioned him. 

Paul does not here simply speak only of circumcision but circumcision represents any work that is done - whether ceremonial or moral. 

Within the realm of faith in God or what we might call being justified before God - there are generally two main ideas -- justification by faith alone and justification in cooperation with man's works. And what I have been studying continually in the last several years is the idea that man is not even capable of being involved with God in this justification because there is nothing in man that can make man worthy. He is lost without Him and it is only the work of Christ that makes us worthy of the rewards of Heaven. 

The works of righteousness are needed in our lives and these works occur in our lives. Yes, we need to be told often what we are to do, but our doing them is in response to God's love for us rather in cooperation with God. I'm not sure that I am at a point of thinking that those that believe it is a cooperation are not saved, that is not even for me to decide. I think what I must continually examine is what is the truth and how am I to live by this truth. 

I almost liken it to Paul stating that we would not have known what sin was unless the Law told us (Romans 7:7) and in the same way we are told what obedience looks like and encouraged often to practice this but the obedience follows our justification, just as our breaking of the law follows our condition of being a sinner. Granted, I do begin to understanding the differences of belief and how many different faiths express it, but I am agreeing more and more with the doctrine of faith alone because it agrees with the idea that God is adored and worshipped and praised in this doctrine versus sharing in this with man. 

Promise: Justification is by faith alone. By adding any work, we must add all works. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing me back to your truth and simplifying it for me. Thank you for teaching me through Bible Study Fellowship and tying these studies together. Lord, continue to teach me and help me to walk with You in the Word and show me how I am to live in obedience to You. You have created me for good works, to walk in them, and I do want to do this and continue to show me the way you want me to walk. Thank you for saving me - not because of me but because of my need and declaring me righteous, not because of anything I have done alone or alongside you but you have saved me by the works of Jesus, in his life, on the cross, and through his resurrection. I praise the Lord. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of June is about justification; May was about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.

Mankind's Condition - The Sins of the Gentiles - Though born with God being evident, Gentiles do not honor God or give thanks, look to their selves for truth, and God gives them over to their sin, and in the process God's wrath is sin which will culminate on the Day of the Lord. The Sins of the Jews - Jews thought their status meant only Gentiles were true sinners. Romans 2 and 3 explains that Jews are just as guilty before God. 

The Law Speaks - The Law and Accountability - the Law reminds us we are sinners and doing good will not outweigh this bad; I am condemned. Righteousness According to the Law - The Law can make one righteous if obedient to all. Our sin keeps us from this. Human Inability - the simple reminder that man cannot make himself righteous because he is a sinner. 

Only Justified through Christ (God) - The Obedience of One - with Jesus all obedience was completed in Him which resulted in Him taking on all sin; we trust only in His words, not ours. God's Initiative In Justification - God initiates the act of justification through the work of Christ alone; he saves us out of His kindness. Faith and Justification - no one is continually righteous; only through Jesus one will be made righteous; to be made righteous one must believe in God, ask for His mercy. Faith and Righteousness - Faith is what God uses in us to build the bridge to being accepted by God and restored to a right relationship with Him. Justification and Sin - Nothing changes the fact that we are sinners, but our status before God changes by Christ's obedience as this declares us to be righteous.