Father Abraham's Righteousness

It is hard to overstate the significance of Abraham in the course of redemptive history, and it is similarly hard to overestimate the significance of Abraham in regard to the inspired apostle's doctrine regarding the primacy of faith. Abraham's status of a common pagan before the Lord called him is crucial to the nature of imputed righteousness. The timing of Abraham's circumcision is likewise crucial. As the text before us clearly teaches, Abraham had already been reckoned righteous when he was called out of Ur of the Chaldees because he believed God. His righteousness was not based upon his obedience, nor his genealogy. God called Abraham and Abraham heard and believed. And like Abraham, all who hear the promise of the gospel and respond with repentance and faith are accounted, not only righteous, but are Abraham's true children. Although the significance was veiled until the coming of the Savior, it is now revealed that by faith, "…if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:29) – Pastor Schlegel