In our last visit we discovered that as restored innocence we are now in GOD's Righteousness and His Faith program and that none of this is of our own doings. In other words it is not of our efforts in doing good works to prove ourselves, but is all of GOD's doing through and in our flesh that housed His own Spirit within His Son the Son of His Love manifestation among His humanity. We saw that our justification is by His Faith, as it was evidenced in the OT Scriptures. We shall move on in this revelation here in chapter 4 of Romans by beginning at verse 9, to get the rest of this story, of the promise realized by faith, through the end of verse 15.
Romans 4:9-12 "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." (KJV)
Romans 4:9-12 "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." (ESV)
Romans 4:9-12 "Is this blessing restricted exclusively to the circumcision or extended also to the uncircumcision? Remember we are looking at Abraham as an example; his righteousness was founded on faith. Did circumcision play a role in Abraham's standing before GOD? Certainly not; it is clear that GOD already calculate his faith as righteousness before he was circumcised. (Righteousness is not a reward for good behavior.) Circumcision was introduced as a (prophetic) external seal to confirm the fact that Abraham's faith already resulted in righteousness. This qualifies him to be the father of all uncircumcised people who would believe as he did in the impartation of acquittal. (The seal was not meant to be a distraction but rather a prophetic confirmation to righteousness by faith. Just like a receipt is only a reference to, and not the actual transaction.) At the same time he also represents as father all those for whom circumcision is not merely a skin deep religious ritual, but is for those who actually walk in the footprints of his faith." (The Mirror)
Romans 4:13-15 "For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression." (KJV)
Romans 4:13-15 "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. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression." (ESV)
Romans 4:13-15 "Righteousness by faith and not righteousness by Law prompted the promise when GOD announced to Abraham that he would father those who would inherit the world. It is again a matter of embracing a gift rather than receiving a reward for keeping the Law. Faith would be emptied of its substance and the principle of promise would be meaningless if the Law of personal performance was still in play to qualify the heirs. (Faith is not in competition with the Law. The life quality that faith reveals is consistent with humanity's original design and mirrors very life law promoted.) The Law system is bound to bring about disappointment, regret and anger; if there is no Law there is nothing break; no contract, no breach." (the Mirror)
What follows is a major revelation and the LORD willing, we shall delve into it, as a cold miner searches for gold, in our next visit.
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