[:en]Abraham Justified by Faith (vs. 1-25)
If a person can earn right standing with God by doing good works, the granting of that gift is no longer free. Jesus offers salvation as a gift because He loves us and not because we have earned it through our powerful faith. What is faith then? Faith is believing and trusting in Jesus Christ and reaching out to accept His wonderful gift of salvation. It is not a mater of how strong our faith is because He is strong enough to save us no matter how weak our faith is.
King David was guilty of terrible sins – adultery, lying and murder. But he admitted his guilt and asked for God’s forgiveness, so his guilt had been erased and he could experience the joy of forgiveness. No matter how big the sin a person has, Jesus is willing to forgive through His sacrifice on the cross.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)
Circumcision was a sign to others and a personal seal that the Jews were God’s chosen people. It was an important ceremony that Jewish boys underwent. God also commanded Abraham to undergo circumcision as a sign of covenant between him and God. (Gen. 17:11)
But Abraham had been blessed long before he was circumscised. He found favor with God by faith alone. When God called Abraham, he was 75 years old. The circumcision ceremony was administered when he was 99 years old. (Gen. 17:1-14) circumcision is an outward sign and seal that demonstrates inner belief and trust. Our faith should focus on Christ as his saving work, not on our action.
God promised Abraham to be the father of many nations (Gen. 17:4). God would make Abraham into a great nation and all peoples on earth would be blessed through him (Gen. 12:2-3). This promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ who was born from Abraham line and the whole world was blessed through him.
Abraham consistently trusted God in his life. At the age of 100 and when Sarah’s womb was dead, he never doubted God’s promise for him to have an heir. He looked to God, obeyed Him and waited for God to fulfill His word.
The gift of salvation is free to all. When you confess your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, He forgives you and makes you right with Him. Free up your sins and let God credit His righteousness to you.[:]