Romans 4:9-15: a reflection

9Is this blessing then pronounced only on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 11He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they might be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them. 12He is the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision. 13For the promise to Abraham and to his offspring that he would be heir of the world wasn’t through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect. 15For the law produces wrath; for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience.

Paul presses a point about Abraham that has enormous reach: Abraham was counted righteous by faith before he was circumcised, before he had any religious credential or mark to show for it. God credited righteousness to him while he was still uncircumcised, simply because he believed. And this, Paul says, was so that Abraham could be the father of all who believe, whether they have the religious credentials or not.

Notice the door this opens. If Abraham had been declared righteous on the basis of circumcision, or law-keeping, or religious pedigree, then righteousness would belong only to those with the right credentials. But because he was counted righteous by faith alone, before any of that, the door stands open to everyone who believes, regardless of background, pedigree, or religious standing. Faith, not credentials, is what makes a person a child of Abraham and an heir of the promise.

That is liberating and leveling. Your standing with God does not depend on your religious pedigree, your background, how long you have been in the faith, or any credential you can display. It depends on faith, the same faith by which Abraham was counted righteous before he had anything to show. Whoever you are, however unqualified you feel, the promise comes by faith and is open to you. Do not think you need the right credentials to belong to God. Come as Abraham came, by simple faith, and be counted among the children of the promise.

Lord, you counted Abraham righteous by faith before he had any credential to show, so that he could be the father of all who believe. Thank you that my standing with you rests not on pedigree or religious credentials but on faith. When I feel unqualified to belong to you, remind me that the promise comes by faith and is open to me. Help me come as Abraham came, by simple trust in you.