Podcast: Download (28.0MB)
Faith Counted as Righteousness
Introduction: In Genesis 15, we are introduced to a universal principle of salvation. The principle that is introduced in this text is absolutely critical to understanding our salvation. But it is amazing how little this concept is understood, not only in our religious world, but even among us.
Genesis 15:1-6 Salvation as the Offspring of Abraham
“Fear not, I am your shield; your reward will be great.” These are not words simply to Abraham. We must remember that as the offspring of Abraham, whatever God promised him has been promised to us. Just as with us, Abraham was a stranger & sojourner in a land that was not his. He was surrounded by godless people who could crush him. But there was no reason to fear because God would be his shield and he would have a great reward. Do you believe that?
Abraham then followed up with a question based on what God has told him. Sarah was barren; what about the offspring? You see, there is a reason Sarah was barren. Have you thought about that? Sarah herself said it in 16:2, “Behold the Lord has prevented me from bearing children.” Why would God do that? Because this salvation God is promising the world through Abraham must completely be a result of God’s work, not man’s. Isaac’s birth must picture our birth, born from above.
God showed Abraham the stars and assured him that he could no more number his offspring than he could number the stars. Then there is this great statement quoted repeatedly in the NT: “He believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” Please consider:
It is upon this principle that everyone who has ever lived will be saved, whether OT or NT. No one will be saved any other way than by God counting their faith as righteousness. It is only by faith that we will be saved.
There is also a common misunderstanding from this text. Many teach that this is the moment that Abraham was saved. The argument is, he didn’t do anything; he just believed and was saved. This is error:
Heb. 11:8 – Abraham was already considered a man of faith long before this incident, when he obeyed God by leaving Ur and going to Canaan.
James 2:21-23 quotes this same statement in reference to Abraham offering Isaac. Therefore, there are three events in which Abraham was said to have faith, and that faith counted as righteousness. Conclusion: we are not reading about Abraham’s initial salvation, but how Abraham lived by faith. As Paul said, “…walk in the steps of faith of our father Abraham” (Rom. 4:13).
Romans 4 Faith Counted as Righteousness
The question: “What did Abraham gain according to the flesh?” In other words, how did Abraham fare before God based on his fleshly life? Did Abraham’s moral righteousness justify him before God?
Verse 2: If Abraham was justified by the flesh (works), then he would be able to boast – “but not before God.” This brings up a flaw in us and in humanity. Let’s expose the flaw by this question: Are you a good person? Most people would answer that question in the affirmative. But our flaw is our point of view. Just as in the text, “he has something to boast about…” that is, if Abraham were just being judged by other humans or was comparing himself to other humans, he would have something to boast about. Please consider what a good man Abraham was! Yes, we know some of his flaws, but he was still a really good man.
But then there are the critical words, “But not before God.” The reason he nor us can boast before God is because we are not good! Consider Matthew 19:16-17; Rom. 3:11-12; Zech. 3:1-2; Isaiah 6. Get a clue! Before God, we are filthy.
Now to prove that Abraham was not justified by the flesh, Paul quoted Gen. 15:6. Since God counted Abraham righteous by faith, he certainly was not justified by his moral righteousness. These two principles are opposite.
Verses 4-5 illustrates why this is so important.
“To the one who works…” That is, to the one who seeks salvation/justification based on his personal righteousness & doing certain religious deeds, that person would receive wages based on what is due and not as a gift.
To further understand, ask yourself this: If the Judgment came right now, would you be willing to stand before God and ask him to judge you based on how you have lived after you came to Christ, after you turned your life around?
Consider, Paul is referring to our approach to salvation. Do you, or have you, found yourself realizing your sins and failings and responded by “hoping” God would save you anyway and thinking that maybe you will have a chance if you can just do better? (story of Elder’s wife: when have I done my best?). That is a good illustration of the “one who works.”
“To the one who does not work…” Who is that person? He is the one who does not approach his salvation on the basis of what he can do but on the basis of his trust in what God said he would do. That’s what Abraham did! Now ask yourself this question: Are you the one “who works” or the one “who does not work?”
As you answer that question, consider the word “gift.” Do you want “wages” for the life you have lived, or do want a gift?
Now notice in verses 6-8 that Paul suddenly turns to David’s example in order to describe the phrase, “faith is counted as righteousness.”
Some interpret this as God imputing the righteous life of Jesus to the sinner so that God is just pretending that we are righteous. God just sees Jesus when he looks at us.
But this text says it plainly. To impute righteousness is simply that God has forgiven our sins based on the sacrifice of Jesus. That means that God has actually made us righteous. With sins forgiven, we are righteous; we have no sin! What a gift!
Do you know what your response to that is? It is the same response as Isaiah: Here am I send me! I am no longer obeying God because I am hoping to be good enough that he will find it in his heart to save me. I’m obeying God because his gift has touched me so deeply that I will give him every part of my life! I’m no longer asking how much I have to do, but how much can I do! 1 John 4:19
Roman 5:10-11 Saved by His Life
Have you ever wished you could be as clean as you were the day you were baptized? (example of the man I baptized who was thrilled with his salvation, but two days later doubted he would make it even though he had repented.) That is the person who “works” and lives “according to the flesh.”
Message of the text: if God would reconcile us while we were still enemies, how much more, now that we are reconciled, will we be saved by his life? If God saved us while we were enemies, he certainly is going to save us now that we are reconciled!
Finally, what does it mean, “saved by his life?” The Hebrew writer says it well: “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25). Jesus brought his own blood behind the veil into the presence of God offering for our sins, and he always lives in God’s presence to made intercession for your sins. You are as clean today as the day you were baptized!
Now, what does it mean to you that “he has counted your faith as righteousness?”
Berry Kercheville