Lesson 1990

(Lesson 1990)(04-14-17) Romans 4:9-13

"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. 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."

In today's quote, Paul made it clear that the covenant of righteousness through faith was established well before the descendants of Abraham were ordered by God to be marked by physical circumcision. Therefore, the Gentiles received the covenant at the same time the Jews did.

Circumcision was an order from God to physically distinguish those descendants of Abraham (Those who are now called Jews) who would be subjected to the laws from which righteousness could possibly be achieved if one followed those laws completely and also offered the necessary sacrifices.

God, knew from the beginning that it would be virtually impossible, because of their inherent sin nature, for any man or woman to obey those laws to the point of achieving absolute righteousness such as is required to regain eternal life.

Therefore, there is NO advantage to the Jews when it comes to who will or who will not be granted everlasting life. God's promise was made to everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, before there was any such thing as a Jew.~