“For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was counted him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:3). This is a most important question that pertains to everyone. Why? Because it has “eternal”l consequences.
In his letter to the Christians at Rome, the apostle Paul refers us back to Genesis 15:6 where the Bible says this about Abraham, “And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6). Paul also makes reference to this statement in his letter to the Galatians “Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”
(Galatians 3:6). We also read, “and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a Friend of God.”
(James 2:23).
Carefully note these words “believed” and “righteousness.” These are key words in the statement, because they have to do with the salvation that the Lord Jesus Christ ‘procured’ for us on the Cross, when He shed His blood and died for the sins of mankind.
You see, the Scripture makes it abundantly clear, and without exception, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Sin is missing the mark—a failure to meet the divine standard. Sin originated with Satan and entered the world through Adam. “Therefore, just sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). The result of sin is clearly seen in the world today. Man in his rebellion against God is lawless, disobedient, and corrupt.
God alone is holy and righteous and His righteousness is all that he approves, and is ultimately found only in His Son, Jesus Christ, “who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (! Corinthians 1:30).
There is only one way for sinful man to be made right with God, and that is by believing “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). This therefore means, salvation is by faith alone through Christ alone. The Scripture states “the righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.” (Romans 3:22).
The death of Jesus Christ on the Cross is “credited to our account.” We are “justified,” that is, “declared righteous” by God, being “Justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness” (Romans 3:24,25).
It is most important to note that Abraham’s faith was not the result of his works. No. Definitely not! Abraham’s faith was imputed to him because of his faith in God. “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”
(Romans 4:2,3).
The same divine principle applies to us today. The truth is “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). So then, God made His only sinless Son to be sin for us, so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. God’s righteousness would not allow us to bear the penalty of our own sins, which would mean eternal separation from God in heaven. Therefore, Christ paid the penalty for our sins so that we could receive God’s righteousness.
The Bible says “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Believers in Christ can consider themselves “dead” to the old lifestyle, and yielding to the new life in Christ. “So you must also consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions” (Romans 6:11,12).
This question remains. Wouldn’t you rather be like Abraham who believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness? Having faith in God will make you righteous in the sight of God—there is no other way. Why not grasp this opportunity and put your faith in Jesus Christ, accepting Him as your Savior and be saved for time and for eternity.
The Bible says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9,10). May the Lord grant it for His name’s sake. Amen.