Ep. 8. Genesis 15 | Righteous By Faith

EPISODE 8

RIGHTEOUS BY FAITH

Genesis 15:6 may be the most significant verse of Scripture we've covered this far, excluding the two that reference the coming of Jesus early on. "He [Abraham] believed the LORD, and God counted it to him as righteousness." Abraham's faith in God's promise resulted in his being declared "righteous." This verse was not written for Abraham's benefit alone but for all of us who "believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord." It is vital then that we know and understand neither our righteousness nor the righteousness of any other soul who would walk upon this earth is a matter of works but always one of faith. We can not under any circumstance exert an effort equal to the task of righteousness, nor could we, having once been imparted righteousness by faith, maintain it by our efforts. Righteousness is imparted and, therefore, upheld by faith and faith alone. No other truth, apart from the person and work of Jesus, has more of a bearing on the writing of the New Testament.

As I pointed out yesterday, only those of faith are children of Abraham; only those of faith belong to the nation of Abraham. You will remember Jesus' words in John 8 that if the Pharisees had been children of Abraham, they would have known and loved Jesus our Lord. Furthermore, Jesus calls Zacchaeus a "son of Abraham," signifying the faith Zacchaeus had placed in Jesus. And we can't forget the woman bent in half for 18 years by an evil spirit. And why was Christ compelled to help her? Because she was "a daughter of Abraham." Paul makes it abundantly clear that the New Covenant's view of the "children of Abraham" is that they are all people of faith.

So then, righteousness has always been by faith. Faith, as the standard for righteousness, is established over 500 years before the law. But in the days of Jesus and Paul, and even in our days, some preachers still hold the Law of Moses up as a standard of righteousness. Sadly, the Law can do nothing but bring about condemnation and death. Faith and grace, however, are brought about by the Spirit of God and graciously supply righteousness and life.

Other minor things of note in this chapter: Genesis 15: 13-14 gives us our first look at the Israelites residing in Egypt and living there for over four hundred years. I will reference this text multiple times in the coming weeks, so I won't spend more time on it now. I also enjoy our view of God as he makes a covenant with Abraham. "A smoking fire pot and a flaming torch." These images will be repeated throughout the Bible and are ways God reveals himself to people who could not otherwise grasp the fullness of his glory.

ADDITIONAL READING: Romans 4:20-24; Galatians 3:7-9; John 8:39-44; Luke 19:1-9; Luke 13: 1-16; Exodus 12; Exodus 19:18; Isaiah 4:5; Isaiah 30:27; Joel 2:30; Philippians 3:9; Ephesians 2:8-9