Romans 4

Romans chapter 4 applies the principle that we are saved by faith in what God has done for us in Christ, and not by our own works. God's rescue by faith is applied three ways:

• Because we are safe in God's rescue by faith, we can be real with God (4:1-8)
• Because God's rescue is by faith not anyone's works, God intends to rescue those who are outside our box (4:9-12).
• Because God's rescue is by faith not my works, I can lay aside my lists and rules of the ways I earn God's approval (4:13-17).

The whole circumcision thing is a little personal...but it's not so much about the deed itself, but about expectations.  Religious then and now easily think that others who are not like them, Could not possibly be accepted by God.  Jesus had his pharisees and we do too.  (I have met the pharisee and he is me...)  Who, or what kind of person would you think is "outside the box" of God's acceptance?  Come on, be real with God about this.  We all have our boxes, of who's in and who's out...  Who would you exclude?

The third focus of rescue by faith is that we give up on law.  God's law, Moses law, Bob's law.  Legalism has been defiend as earning God's acceptance by my obedience.  The problem is any law or code of rules will not be able to help me measure up, but will only show us where we don't measure up--which makes us want to hide.  faith invites us to come back out, set aside the law or rules for trying to measure up and rest in full acceptance by faith.  "Obedience of faith" means I follow God, because I can trust myself to him, not because I'm afraid of what God will do if I don't.
What's your favorite law that you could "live" without?

Real with God

"Dr. Greg House" said, concerning his patients giving their histories to help with diagnosis, "It's a basic truth of the human condition that everybody lies."  That's bad practice with your doctor, it's even worse as a spiritual practice with God.  In Roman's 4, David is quoted from Psalm 32.  Romans 4:6-8 show the joy of forgiveness that comes by trsuting God to forgive becasue of Jesus.  If we go from Romans 4 back to Psalm 32, David takes us even deeper into being real with God. 

David's joy in his own forgiveness comes out of David's darkest hours and deepest secrets spiritually.  While every thing seemd good in David's world, David was actually a coveting, lying adulterous murderer.  He was hiding from God.  Psalm 32:3-4 describes (compare 2 Samuel 12) that God would not let David hide.  God uses Holy Spirit tear gas smoke him out.  But what will God when David gives up and comes out in surrender.  Will God shoot him down? Lock him away?  32:5 says that God forgives, restores.

In the rest of this psalm, David urges us to stop trying to hide our sin and be real with God , 32:6-7.  doesn't God already inow anyway?  God is presseing us to confess--that is to agree with God about our sin and need for his forgiveness.  A contining need for those who walk with God while still in our own brockeness.
Following David, it seems that God himslef joins into the song, urging me to humbly come, learn from God, lay aside my stubborn, donkey like self-will, and trust in God's unfailing love.

I can join the songs close (32:11) rejoicing in the Lord with a clean heart, but only if I have been willing to confess and be real with God.