Romans 4

The fourth chapter continues with the idea of righteousness through faith. In chapter three, he says that we are righteous through faith in Jesus Christ because He suffered the penalty of our sin for us. But what about all the Jews before Christ came? Paul discusses whether or not they were saved through faith or deeds. He points to Abraham, a man of great faith. He had complete faith in God -- who in their right mind would give up their own son!? (watch this!) Actually, if we take a look at the Mosaic Law ... it's pretty intense; it requires great faith to follow it.

Verse 5 makes no sense to me in the NIV. But if we take a look into the NLT, this is what it says:
 "But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners." David says the same thing (Ps. 36:1,2) -- we are righteous through faith, not deeds.

Paul then revisits and expands on the topic of circumcision. In a nutshell, Abraham was faithful to God even before he was circumcised. His circumcision had no impact on his faith or righteousness. Circumcision (to the best of my knowledge) was to ensure that you were clean (an uncircumcised male newborn would be unclean). This was done to set apart Jew from Gentile. (?) But as we've already established, "there is no difference". So circumcision was performed more for symbolic reasons (though I don't know what it symbolizes). The point is that it wasn't through the law (and circumcision) that Abraham was saved, but rather, through faith.

And this next part explains itself:

 ¹³ It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. ¹⁴ For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, ¹⁵ because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. ¹⁶ Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all.(B/c of Gen. 17:5)

Even when the going was tough, he trusted God. He did not doubt God when He said Sarah would give birth to a son, or when God instructed him to kill Isaac. Look how blessed he was.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 17:20b that "if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, [we can move mountains; nothing will be impossible for us.]".

Let's move mountains.

Sonia