FAITH COMES FIRST

Text: Romans 4:1-12

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, 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.*

Romans 4:11‭-‬12 ESV

Faith, definitely comes first. Everything about salvation from start to finish, is God initiated and not from man. All that God requires is an active faith in what He has promised. In the passage above for instance, Paul refers to Abraham's absolute trust in God's promise to make him the father of many nations even when he had not even one child. The physical realities were therefore, in direct contrast to God's proposition. Yet, God's condition demands that Abraham should trust Him enough to believe that he is able to make impossible, possible. Thankfully, Abraham expressed faith in God and God set him as a standard for generations to come as the pattern through which He makes people right with Himself. 

Consequently, at the fullness of time, God declares this pattern of faith as the only means through which redemption from sin, Satan and death is made possible and accessible for the entire world, both for the Jews and the non Jews. It is interesting to note that aside this pattern, nothing like salvation or deliverance from sin, eternal bondage to Satan and death is possible. Jesus appears on the scene with this pronouncement; "but anyone who BELIEVES in me, I give power to become a child of God" ( John 1:12 paraphrased)

Unfortunately, even today, some people still believe in performing some rituals and keeping of certain laws to receive salvation and forgiveness of sin. This was Paul's argument.  The Jews held on tightly to the keeping of the law as the only means to receiving forgiveness. While the gentiles trusted in their idols. They found it impossible to accept that believing in Jesus can erase their sins. It was too simple. Their minds which is wired to give and take cannot fathom it. Likewise, when we hold tenaciously to outward rituals of baptism, participating in holy communion, giving/ doing works of charity and other ordinances of the church as the  source  of our salvation, we commit error. For anything done  outside faith in Jesus  is sin before God. 

Does this mean that there is no place for piety in our salvation story? No! Rather, believing in Jesus' atoning sacrifice and death on the cross comes first. Then we reckon ourselves as dead men who no longer live life in the flesh, (because actually we all have died, as all died in Christ) instead, we live with the mindset and ability of those who are alive in the spirit in newness of life.This means that anything sinful has no place in our lives again. For we have been empowered by the grace we received through the faith we profess, to live above sin and consequently, death. 

Therefore, faith comes first. Faith in Jesus' substitutional death on the cross. When we believe what God has established, namely; that Jesus has paid the price of sin and DEATH,  on our behalf, then we receive the free gift of God's Grace: LIFE ETERNAL. "For this is the record,  God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his son, anyone who has the son has life, but any who have not the son, have not life (1 John 5:11-12). We have the son when we believe in His atoning work. We have not the son when we do not believe in his death and resurrection. 

Moreso, if we believe him, just like Abraham, we will live out the outward life of circumcision by cutting of the offensive overflow of sin. Righteous living then takes its rightful place and  becomes the Hallmark of our salvation, to the glory of God the father. So What? let us put the cart BEHIND the horse by trusting and accepting Jesus, first and foremost as the author and finisher of our redemption, then depend on him to grow the fruits of the holy spirit in us.

Prayer, Father, thank you for making salvation free for mankind by laying the price on your son. Help us to embrace this free gift and remain united with Jesus daily to grow his person in us. Amen. 🙏