Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

We see mention of circumcision as a seal or a sign here. This was a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham and Abraham’s trust and faithfulness to God. When men are circumcised, I am told it is disabling for a few days. So Abraham had to trust that God would protect him during this time. This was a seal that required trust.

I wonder if, instead of circumcision, we were to substitute a special metal we got from God, calling us His own. And this metal could be worn around our necks as evidence of our faithfulness. It is a special metal of achievement in faithfulness. Yes, it could be handed down from generation to generation, but it was only given to those who were initially faithful.

So what would happen if someone we knew wore their grandma’s metal around. And they made fun of and looked down on others around them who didn’t have one. This person didn’t follow God in their heart, but only outwardly. They said all the right things and pretended.

Then one day, God came and gave metals to all of his faithful followers again; but to this person wearing their grandma’s metal, he took it from them.

This is similar to what Paul is describing here. The metal itself was only a symbol or sign of the faithfulness within. Without the faithfulness, it is worthless and even worse — FALSE ADVERTISING!

My takeaway is this: Stop bragging about my spiritual heritage and relying on the spiritual answers I know from attending church. Start living out the truth in the Bible first. Be sincere in my faith and God will meet me in sincerity too. Lord thank you for your truth that cuts to the heart of my sin issues. You want humble and sincere followers, who live out your Word. Continue to teach me what this means. May I never look down on those around me, instead help me to see them as you do: lost sinners with great potential once they decide to follow Jesus. Then I will come alongside and help them pursue your truth and grace.