Abraham is the father of nations. He was counted as righteous through his faith and not through any other actions.
“9Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well.” – Romans 4:9-11 (ESV)
Abraham believed and then was circumcised, not the other way around. He believed in God and was counted as a child of God even before the law was enacted that one had to be circumcised. In fact the covenant and act of circumcision was enacted by God with Abraham.
I look for ways that I can demonstrate my faith in the world, and as I read these verses and study more closely about belief, I am reminded that I only need faith and to act accordingly in my life. When I am acting according to my faith, that is the demonstration of my faith. I do not have to do anything “great”, I only need to do the will of God as He has instructed me.
My righteousness is not defined by the works that I do, but by my faith in God my Father. I am only to have the faith and believe, for works are not was get me there, by are the product of my faith and belief.
What order are you looking at for belief and works? Are you looking for the outward actions to show others your faith and belief, or are you simply looking to do the work of the Lord? Are you willing to just have faith in order to believe?
Trevor's Thoughts 