The David Spoon Experience 5-14-24 part 2

1) Prepare for some mind-blowing insights. We delve back into Romans, Chapter 4, Verse 9, where Apostle Paul poses a question: Is the Lord's blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for the Gentiles? He answers this by referencing Abraham, who was declared righteous by his faith. Abraham was not yet "Jewish" in the traditional sense. It was his faith that justified him, with circumcision to follow. 2) Paul further defends his argument by stating that Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcised. This is crucial to understand. It was his faith that led to his declaration of righteousness. The circumcision was an affirmation of the faith, but the faith was already present, and the righteousness was already declared. 3) In Romans Chapter 4, Verse 11, the Apostle states that the circumcision ceremony was a sign that Abraham already had faith, and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous, all before circumcision. Therefore, Abraham is the spiritual father of every person who has faith, whether they are Jewish or Gentile. 4) The rest of the verse declares that individuals are made right with God by faith. Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but also of those who have faith like Abraham did before he was circumcised. However, it cannot be a fake or fleeting faith. It must be a continual faith like Abraham's. It must be the same kind of faith, one that says, "I believe," and then receives the promise 25 years later. Claiming we have faith and expecting God to act within our timeframe is at odds with the true power and effectiveness of faith. If we have faith, we believe all the way around - whenever, wherever, and, however.