Take a moment to read Romans 4:1-12 before reading the devotional below.
If you have never read the book of Genesis (the first book in the Bible), you may want to take time to read chapters 11-25 to understand the story of Abraham. Paul’s theological argument depends on the knowledge of that story which was (and still is) foundational for the Jewish people. Abraham had a faith in God that was pretty rare, and God chose to make a promise to him. God told him his descendants would outnumber the stars and that through his family the entire world would be blessed. Jesus fulfilled that promise, so faith in him is a continuation of the ongoing faith of the Jewish people throughout history.
Paul is making a key point in today’s passage that one should never confuse symbolism with earning favor with God. He refers back to circumcision, which God had commanded Abraham and all his descendants to do as a sign of their special relationship with God. Performing that ritual did not earn them a spot with God. Rather, the symbolic act of obedience was a reflection of the special relationship that already existed because of God’s blessing. We are in the same situation today: our faith and obedience to God is a reflection of his desire to love and save us, but our actions are not doing the saving.
Here’s your freedom for today: your spiritual life does not depend on you. Don’t give yourself so much power — God has decided that he wants relationship with you. There is nothing you can do to mess that up. He has offered salvation through Jesus, and your faith in him does not earn you a spot. Your feelings, your hard work, your church involvement — none of that is a good indicator of spiritual standing with God. The only way we are made right with God is through faith in Jesus. Having faith in Jesus means that you bank your whole life on him saving you because you realize you have no hope of saving yourself. In the end, you have to decide whether or not to believe that is a safe bet.