How then was it reckoned?

Romans 4:7-12, “BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, And whose sins have been covered. “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.” Is this blessing then upon the circumcised, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say, “Faith was reckoned to Abraham as righteousness.” How then was it reckoned? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be reckoned to them, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

Paul had to deal with those who thought their righteousness before God came by being born in the Jewish culture, circumcision being the deciding factor. There are those today that think like this, that their righteousness comes by being in the right church at the right times, or else by some act that they have done. Clearly Abraham was not declared righteous enough to be the father of many nations by his act of circumcision, but by his faith.

Father, I thank You that my salvation does not depend upon any act that I have done, only upon Your gracious gift of faith in Jesus Christ; give me living faith that honors Your name.