Romans 4:9-12
Scripture: Romans 4:9-12 (ESV) “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 of the faith that he had 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 steps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.”
Devotion: We live in a world that likes to draw lines in the sand—insiders and outsiders, us and them. But in the family of God those lines disappear completely. Abraham, the patriarch of the faith, becomes Exhibit A in the case for a faith that transcends cultural, religious, and ethnic boundaries.
Abraham’s faith was credited as righteousness before any physical sign (circumcision) marked him as set apart by God. This isn’t a minor detail of Abraham’s life. It is the foundation of Paul’s argument in this passage. It shows that the true mark of belonging to God’s family isn’t about external rituals or heritage but about faith. Circumcision, then, wasn’t the cause of Abraham’s righteousness but a sign of the faith he already had. It’s like getting a diploma: the diploma doesn’t give you the knowledge; it’s a recognition of the learning you’ve already completed.
The family of faith is open to everyone—circumcised or not. Abraham is not just the father of a specific ethnic group but the father of all who share his faith. If you have faith in Jesus, you are in the family. For the Jews this would have be revolutionary. It shifts the focus from physical signs to the condition of the heart. This isn’t about human heritage, but adoption into God’s family through Christ.
Faith in Jesus is deeply inclusive. No inclusive in the way the world means it today, but inclusive in that salvation is open to ever person who would believe, whether Jew or Greek, Black or White, African or Asian, Male or Female. The doors to God’s family are open wide, inviting anyone who will come by faith. Even you.
Prayer:
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Father, thank You for the faith of Abraham, which serves as a model for us all. Thank You that Your family is defined not by external signs but by faith in Your promises. Help me to walk in the steps of Abraham’s faith, trusting Your promises and living a life that reflects that trust. May I remember that my identity in You is secured by faith, not by any marker of human achievement or distinction. Amen.
Challenge for the day: Reflect on your own journey of faith. Consider the ways you might have relied on external signs or achievements to feel secure in your faith. Commit today to focus on the condition of your heart, seeking to deepen your trust in God’s promises. Reach out to someone who may feel like an “outsider” in faith communities, and share the inclusive message of the gospel with them, emphasizing that faith, not background or lifestyle, is what unites us in God’s family.