First Works
PART I: FAITH
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 KJV
Romans 4:5-18 KJV
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Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Now we can understand the teaching of Paul according to the working of faith and the promise of Abraham. Verse 8-10 speaks of the spiritual circumcision. To get an understanding of what this means we have to look at:
Romans 15:8 KJV
8. Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
We can see that circumcision is of Faith given by Christ through the Spirit of truth. When circumcision is mentioned, it is referenced in the Spirit and not in the natural. Abraham in Romans 4:9-10 is accounted to righteousness in a state of uncircumcision. Why? Because he was under the law. His actions and belief in God beyond comprehension, proved himself before God to declare a promise unto him. This action was done while he was uncircumcised and originating from a pagan culture. Because of his belief and commitment to the law and God it was accounted to him for righteousness. There is so much to study of the life of Abraham and relationship with God. However, for the purpose of this lesson we will focus on his promise by God and his seed through the righteousness of faith in Christ.