March 16, 2018

Perspective Is Everything

Romans 4:9–17

Cindy Campion
Friday's Devo

March 16, 2018

Friday's Devo

March 16, 2018

Central Truth

We are saved by grace through faith, not by obeying the law!

Romans 4:9–17

Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 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. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith 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, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

The Promise Realized Through Faith

13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.

16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

Dive Deeper | Romans 4:9–17

I always have a “word of the year” in regard to my faith. It typically is a word that I want to focus more on throughout the year. For 2017, it was “perspective.” I have found that my perspective affects my thoughts and actions, which means my perspective should always be grounded in His truth.

I thought about the importance of perspective as I read these verses on circumcision and the law. Neither of them can save us, but sometimes we try to act like they can. There are things I do that I think earn my way to heaven. I create my own law for myself and others that I think should be followed to be a “real” Christian. I take Jesus’ grace out of the equation when I do this. I make it: Salvation = Grace + Works, which, of course, is wrong. My perspective on what it means to be saved needs to be changed: Salvation is by Grace Alone through Faith Alone.

Tim Keller says, "if you live by law, you can’t receive what’s promised (because you are trusting in your wages rather than receiving the gift)." (Romans 1-7 For You at 103) We want to be in good favor with Him instead of experiencing His love. We focus on what we do and not on what He has done for us! It is easier to live by a set of rules than rest in His grace. Rules tell us we are in control. Rest requires us to surrender our life to Him.

Here is where perspective comes in for me. There is a purpose for the law. It just doesn’t save us. We are saved by grace through faith, not by obeying the law. The law shows us where we fall short, but it also shows us how to live in order to be like the One who saved us by grace. Should we desire to obey the rules? Absolutely! But our desire should be from a heart that longs to want His best for our life.

This month's memory verse

10 as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;
11      no one understands;
    no one seeks for God.

– Romans 3:10–11

Discussion Questions

1. Circumcision is the physical sign of a spiritual reality. What is the “circumcision” in your life that you do but that doesn’t save you?

2. Do you have pride you need to repent of because you obey the law almost perfectly (or so you think)? Do you need to be reminded of God’s love and grace because you are overwhelmed with guilt from falling short?

3. If we love God, we should strive to obey His commands (see 1 John 5:3). What motivates you to obey God’s commands? Does your heart long to obey them because you don’t want to miss out on God’s best for your life, or do you obey just to check the box?