CIRCUMCISION
To be circumcised eight days after a sons birth is what God had the Israelites do.
It was suppose to set them apart from the other nations.
But then the Israelites started worshipping false gods.
They were not following the laws and they didn't have faith in God that is why they
turned to the false gods.
Circumcision became a religious ritual and no longer set them apart from the
other nations.
Romans 4:9 says; Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only
or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to
Abraham for righteousness.
Blessedness comes to those who have faith in God.
You don't have to be circumcised to be blessed.
Circumcision is a religious ritual that once meant something.
But the people turned away from God and started worshipping false gods and this
angered God.
But God still had those children that loved Him even though they were not circum-
cised.
Abraham was one of those who loved God and had faith in Him even though he
was not circumcised.
Romans 4:10 says; How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised or
uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised.
Abrahams faith brought him Gods righteousness.
He was not circumcised at the time.
That didn't change his heart for God.
Abraham loved God and God saw into his heart.
Even today people think they can hide things from God.
Down through the ages it has been the same.
My friends, when are we going to learn that we can't hide anything from God?
Romans 4:11 says; And he received a sign of circumcision, a seal of the righte-
ousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised that he might be
the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righte-
ousness might be imputed to them also.
Abraham did receive a sign of circumcision so he was circumcised later.
But still others looked to him and knew that he had received righteousness be-
fore he was circumcised.
Abrahams circumcision was like a seal of his righteousness.
For those who had faith yet where not circumcised that there was hope that they
could receive Gods righteousness without being circumcised.
Genesis 17:10 says; This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me
and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall
be circumcised.
This was the covenant between God and the Israelites.
But even though they circumcised the male children they turned away from God.
Because they were circumcised they thought they were exempt from being judg-
ed for their disobediants.
God is a just God so all will have to answer for the way they lived on earth.
Luke 19:9 says; And Jesus said to them, "Today salvation has come to this
house, because he also is a son of Abraham,
Salvation can come to all who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Abraham was the father over many nations.
Whether they were circumcised or uncircumcised.
But with faith the size of a mustard seed we are able to move mountains.
We come out of trials and tribulation wiser and stronger than we were going into
them.
But to do that we must have a heart for God.
Romans 4:12 says; and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of
the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father
Abraham had while still uncircumcised.
Circumcision was a sign that Abraham was righteous and was sealed to be cir-
cumcised as proof of his righteousness.
Circumcision was the sign and seal of the covenant God had with Abraham.
Those who follow in the ways of Abraham will surely find righteousness.
Romans 4:18-22 says; Who contrary to hope, in hope believe, so that he be-
came the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall
your descendants be." 19. And not being weak in faith, he did not consider
his own body, already dead ( since he was about a hundred years old ), and
the deadness of Sarsh's wonb. 20. He did not waver at the promise of God
through unbelief but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21. and
being fully convinced that what He had promised, He was also able to proform.
22. And therefore, "it was accounted to him for righteousness."
Abraham in verse 18 had faith even though he was a hundred years old.
He didn't think about what shape his body was in only that God made a promise
and He was well able to make it so.
He took that promise in verse 19 and stood on it.
Abraham knew God would not make a promise He wouldn't keep.
With Gods promise Abraham's faith grew stronger.
He didn't know how God was going to keep His primise but by his faith he knew
God would.
Abraham gave all the glory to God for he knew God was all knowing and power-
ful.
God had Abrahams faith recorded so that he could be an example to the gener-
ations that followed him.
Even for us in this day and age.
When you read the Bible God makes many promises to His children.
Those promises can build up our faith as it did for Abraham.
Not only that but the more Word you get into your heart it will make it harder for
the enemy to deceive you, make no mistake he will try to deceive you.
The scriptures I used in this lesson are: Romans 4:9-12, 4:18-22, Genesis 17:10
Luke 19:9.
My prayer is that whoever reads this lesson, the Lord gave me, will seek Gods
promises to His children. That your faith will grow with every promise you find
like Abrahams faith grew with Gods promises to him and Sarah. I encourage
you to read your Bibles more it will give you hope for tomorrow.
God bless you and your family, may the Lord keep you close to Him.
PRAISE GOD OUR FATHER, JESUS OUR SAVIOR, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
THAT LIVES WITHIN ALL CHRISTIANS.
