Romans 4:11-12 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

As I read this, the children’s Sunday School song of “Father Abraham” came to mind: “Father Abraham had many sons. Many sons had Father Abraham. I am one of them, and so are you, so let’s just praise the Lord.” Abraham’s genetic sons were certainly limited. We immediately think of Isaac and Ishmael, but he also had five more by Keturah after the death of Sarah, as recorded in Genesis 25. However, these verses, and the song, aren’t talking about biology, but about spiritual reality. Most Gentiles have little to no idea what a big deal circumcision is, for Jews and for Moslems. Jewish boys are circumcised a few days after birth and Moslem boys are circumcised at 13, because that was the age at which Ishmael was circumcised (and Abraham was 99). (Genesis 17:24-25) If circumcision were the way to salvation, then the terrorists who just horribly murdered over 1400 Israelis would be just as saved as, say, Billy Graham was! Paul is making the point that salvation, being put right with God, is by faith and not by some physical action. It is a choice of the will, which cannot be said about babies who are circumcised before they can do much of anything at all. Thinking about it, Abraham didn’t have a very developed theology, either. It’s a little difficult to imagine what and how he thought of God when God first reached out to him in Ur, as recorded in Genesis 12. He didn’t have theology, but he had a relationship, built on experience. Far too many people today try to build their faith on “code words,” on philosophy, rather than on a living, active relationship with their Creator. That’s not faith, that’s intellectual assent, or even superstition, and it won’t save you. Evangelicals today tend to pin everything on “The Sinner’s Prayer,” when sometimes there has been no actual heart change. Genuine, saving faith results in action, in a changed life brought on by a growing relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord. Anything less is a mirage.

Ouch! I hadn’t expected this to go this way, but it is certainly true. I am to be working for initial commitment, certainly, but more than that I am to be working for active discipleship. After all, the Great Commission doesn’t say, “go and make converts,” it says, “go and make disciples.” (Matthew 28:18-20) We become children of Abraham, and of God, by faith, but that is an active, growing faith. That’s why Paul, after making his magnificent statement of salvation by grace through faith in Ephesians 2:8-9, followed it up with verse 10, that talks about doing the things God has prepared for us to do. Saving faith is obedient. I’ve got to remember that for myself as well as for the people to whom I minister. The message God is growing in me is about knowing Him. That’s exactly the sort of faith Abraham had, with no theological trappings at all. Theology and philosophy aren’t bad in themselves, but I must not let them distract me from a personal relationship with my Creator.

Father, thank You for this strong reminder. Help me not just agree with it but live it out, as Your agent for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!