RELIGION’S BILLBOARD

Romans 4:9-12
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Faith of Abraham

9 Now, is this blessing only for the Jews, or is it also for uncircumcised Gentiles? Well, we have been saying that Abraham was counted as righteous by God because of his faith. 10 But how did this happen? Was he counted as righteous only after he was circumcised, or was it before he was circumcised? Clearly, God accepted Abraham before he was circumcised!

11 Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith. 12 And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.


In the early days of the Jewish nation, circumcision was the sign for themselves and others that they had faith in God. It was the Jewish religion’s billboard. As well as being an act of obedience, this work is an indicator of faith … not faith itself. The use by religions of billboards continues. For some Jews today their beards and black hats are their billboard. In the Christian faith we have billboards of baptism (and even baptismal methodology), practice of certain spiritual gifts, dress or even the absence of make-up as signs of our faith.

Whichever billboard you claim as yours, be sure it is based on your faith in God through Jesus Christ, not just the erection of the billboard. You can put up the sign but without faith, you are still lost.

Prayer Request: Please pray for Michelle Hoskins. She has multiple physical problems related to digestion. She and her husband, Glenn, are requesting prayer to find the earthly physician with the wisdom that the Heavenly Physician will use to bring relief and healing.