17As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. - P61
Paul answers the question of whether the blessing of righteousness is onlyfor the circumcised. He explains that Abraham‘s faith was credited to him asrighteousness before he was circumcised. Therefore, he is the father of all whobelieve, both circumcised and uncircumcised. The promise comes by faith sothat salvation may be by grace and guaranteed to all of Abraham‘s offspring. - P61
Abraham was called righteous by faith before he was circumcised, and he later received circumcision as a sign of that righteousness. In this way, he became the father of both the circumcised and the uncircumcised—solely on the basis of faith. This has been God’s plan from the beginning: to extend His blessing to all who believe in Him. Therefore, there is no room for boasting before God—not even for Abraham or David. - P62
Likewise, no matter how long we have been Christians or how much we have served in the church, there is no place for pride or discrimination. Instead, we are called to humbly walk in unity with those who share the same faith, extending grace to one another along the way. - P62
Paul also uses the example of Abraham to speak about promises that comeby faith. God promised that Abraham would become a great nation and bea blessing to all the peoples of the earth, and He promised that Abraham‘sdescendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Abraham believedGod, and in the end, God‘s promise waswas fulfilled. - P62
Now, a way has beenopened for all people to receive the benefits of God‘s promise as descendantsof Abraham through the same faith that he had. This is God‘s grace: thatwe may receive His promise by faith and become heirs of His blessing. Maywe remember this and continue to live in the blessedness of the promisethat comes by faith. - P62
Dear God, thank you for the grace of becoming an heir of Your abundant blessings. Help me to respond in faith in every moment of my life and to live in harmony with others who share the same faith for the work of Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P63
God‘s grace urges me to choose what pleases Him. It pushes me beyondmy comfort zone to reach those who have not yet experienced this grace. Itcompels me to surrender my ambitions and humbly obey His will. God‘sgrace made it possible for Jewish and Gentile Christians to accept one an-other in love, and it continues to enable us to love, forgive, and accomplishwhat our sinful nature resists not because it is always easy, but because - P63
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