Wednesday: The Faith of Abraham ~ Part 2
Looking again at Genesis 15:6, we can see that various translations have rendered the term counted (Hebrew, chashab) or “reckoned” or “credited” (RSV, NIV) or “accounted.” (NKJV)
The same term is employed in other texts in the books of Moses. A person or a thing is “reckoned” or “regarded” as something that person or thing is not. For instance, in Genesis 31:15, Rachel and Leah affirm that their father “reckons” (“regards” or “counts”) them as strangers, although they are his daughters. The tithe of the Levite is “reckoned” (“regarded” or “counted”) as though it were the corn of the threshing floor, although it is obviously not the corn (Num: 18:27, Num 18:30, NIV).
How is the idea of reckoning expressed in the context of sacrifices? (Leviticus 7:18, Leviticus 17:1-4).
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The King James Version uses the word imputed to translate chashab. If a particular sacrifice (“peace offering”) is not eaten by the third day, its value is lost, and it shall not be “reckoned” (Leviticus 7:18; Hebrew, chashab) to the benefit of the offerer. Leviticus 7:18 speaks of a situation in which a sacrifice is “reckoned” to the benefit of the sinner (compare Leviticus 17:1-4) who then stands before God in righteousness. God is accounting the sinner as righteous, although the individual is actually unrighteous.
Take some time to dwell on this wonderful truth that we, despite our faults, can be accounted, or credited, as righteous in the sight of God. Write out in your own words your understanding of what this means.
The great truth, that of being declared righteous, not because of any act that we can do but only because of faith in what Christ has done for us, this is the essence of the phrase “righteousness by faith.” Yet, it is not that our faith itself makes us righteous; rather, faith is the vehicle by which we obtain the gift of righteousness. This, in essence, is the beauty, the mystery, and the glory of Christianity. All that we believe as Christians, as followers of Christ, finds an important root in this wonderful concept. Through faith, we are accounted righteous in the sight of God. All else that follows; obedience, sanctification, holiness, character development, love, should stem from this crucial truth.
| How do you respond to someone who seeks to be a Christian yet says, “But I don’t feel righteous”? |
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God used a simple way to save man, but a hard way for it caused Him die for man. Man was given a simple way.(To believe only); that is to have faith on what God did for him (Man).
Yesterday I proposed that rather than being 'declared' righteous even though we are not, there is strong biblical support for the view that we are validly affirmed/declared righteous by God when/because we have co-operated with the Holy Spirit's initiatives to re-align our heart motive from self-seeking back to what it 'ought to be' under the Creator's original intention for humanity - beneficent self-giving.
Because God's heart beats to the same beneficent, self-giving rhythm (metaphorically speaking), under this restored heart-state we metaphorically "walk with God". This is why Genesis 6:8 links two inter-related occurrences: (a) Noah was affirmed as "righteous" and (b) he "walked with God". In other words, Noah was actually righteous because he walked with God. Righteousness from a biblical perspective operates at heart level rather than behavioural level - which is why God looks on the heart rather than outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). You may also recall Jesus affirming this same position in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:27,28; 7:16-18).
I would like to extend the support for the notion that we are declared/affirmed righteous because that is the reality. 2 Corinthians 5:21 is a key verse on the topic of atonement. There are two inter-related aspects in this verse - (a) what God/Jesus did to bring about atonement (b) the effect/result with respect to us. I will leave further comment about part (a) to another time, but today focus on part (b).
2 Corinthians 5:21 states "... so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him". Here we have the concept of righteousness again - remembering that righteousness means 'rightness' or 'what ought to be'. With regard to "might become", the Greek word is genometha and is only used once in this derivation. However, genometha comes from the root word ginomai. Examining the details of the type of verb this word is, we find some interesting things:
1) it is something that actually happens - not something that is considered to have happened when it really hasn't.
2) that it is an action that was initiated by an outside source but which impacted the recipient
3) that it is an action that has a definite start point but that also keeps on going from that start point - it progressively grows to be greater and greater maturity/completeness.
Once again, we are able to gain glimpses into God's higher way/s of being and doing (as per Isaiah 55:8,9).
Putting all of what has been said together, God is able to validly affirm/declare us to be 'righteous' from the moment we submit to God's initiatives (via the Holy Spirit) to actually restore us back into harmony with what 'ought to be' - (re)-created beings whose hearts are realigned back to beneficent self-giving. And as long as this realignment is maintained, we progressively grow to greater and greater Christ-likeness. All of this is actual, real restoration - no smoke and mirrors!
There really is a biblically-sound reality-basis underpinning salvation/atonement. Atonement is at every point actual restoration producing actual change in us and testifying to a God who is actually able to save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25).
Phil - YES - and all the Father asks of us is to apply His most wonderful, precious gift of Faith as we walk the path of life.
Thank you, Phil, for demonstrating that God does not engage in legal fiction - declaring someone righteous when they are not righteous. The key is that God looks at the heart, not mere outward behavior.
When a person turns to Christ, a real change takes place. 2 Cor. 5:17.
I think the problem is that we have a different definition of righteousness than God has. We expect some level of attainment in what we might regard as perfection of behavior. But God looks at the heart - whether or not it is in tune with His heart of self-giving love. He looks at the direction of our lives, which are determined by the focus of our hearts, not the occasional good deeds and bad deeds. (What a relief it was for me as a young person to discover this truth!!)
'How do you respond to someone who seeks to be a Christian yet says, “But I don’t feel righteous”?
In connection with what the author is saying about Abraham, when he was called righteous by the Lord he was still a sinner/unrighteous. To me the Lord was looking at what he can become but only if he accepted what was being told of him to do. The author to me is saying it was by faith his righteousness was possible.
I want to use another e.g Talents. Someone will say to another, you are a rich person not because that person have wealth but because that person have a lot of talents. But talents not used is of no valve to anyone, it cant bring in anything or produce wealth.
Therefore, if Abraham did not obey all the instructions the Lord had put forth to him to keep moving to places he never knew and even the ultimate sacrifice, he would not be counted righteous. Remember once righteous is not always righteous. Righteous is a life lived, ups and down but keep holding on to Jesus. I must say the Lord knew best.
The sacrifices were appointed by God to illustrate the gospel, and as a means for exercising faith in God's promises. God reckons the faith revealed in those who obey His statutes.
We need to have a right understanding of justification, and not imagine that God will justify any under the conviction of sin while refusing to repent. Notice in Zech 3 how Joshua's dirty garment is removed before he is given a clean garment without an blemish on it. God does not cloak sin, but saves sinners FROM their sin.
"How do you respond to someone who seeks to be a Christian yet says, “But I don’t feel righteous”?"
That would be a great time to teach the meaning of faith vs feelings, and also to point to the conditions of God's “exceeding great and precious promises”, and what it means to partake of the Divine nature through faith.
Robert - Yes, as you say: "we need to have a right understanding of justification." No one suggests that 'anyone under the conviction of his sinful nature' by the Holy Spirit does not also repent. This 'repenting' is an ongoing experience as the Spirit reveals that which hinders our justification by faith.
As I understand justification: it takes place as we act on/exercise our faith in the Creator's promise to redeem us from this sin-nature by living/being/exercising the born-again nature by faith; living our life according to the Will of God.
Once the believer sincerely, whole-heartedly accepts to live by faith in the Word of God, his life moves beyond set sign- and roadmarkers; it enters the realm of the spiritual faith relationship between the Creator and His children.
This relationship is governed/administered by/though His Spirit of Righteousness by Love and Grace; no man can judge the relationship between the Father and His child, but the Father.
Brigitte, I was addressing the way in which we are to exhibit faith according to the teaching of God's Word. Many today feel that the mere expression of "faith" justifies them, when it is repentance that brings the promised blessing. Nothing short of this will avail the sinner.
This is not about judging each other, but ourselves through close self-examination. The quarterly did not seem to make this important distinction regarding justification.
I have been confronted with this "only believe" teaching that undermined the need for true repentance.
Faith has two purposes
1. Through faith, God takes our filthy rags of sin and gives us spotless white clean ones=justification by faith
2. Through faith, God takes his commandments/character and puts them into our hearts so that with love for our fellow man we can walk right=righteousness by faith
I'm trying to come up with simple definitions. What do you guys think?
Reynaldo - yes, the purpose of faith is as simple as you say!
We need to just live the Life of FAITH! We need to 'just do it'. 🙂
“And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.” Genesis 15:6 NLT
The faith of Abraham was an active obedient faith.
“I will do this because Abraham listened to me and obeyed all my requirements, commands, decrees, and instructions.” Genesis 26:5 NLT
“Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.” James 2:21-24 NLT
I think that the Son of God, our Lord and Savior’s roles include those of a Creator-Father, Teacher, Friend, Brother, Mediator, Counselor - and yes, basically without Him/outside of Him we can do nothing.
Can we consider the term ‘acceptable’ to be on the same level as ‘reckoned’ or ‘credited’ or even ‘imputed’?
If we can do nothing which the Creator requires to stand before Him in righteousness, than the only thing which does make it possible is His Gift of Faith; faith in a loving, kind, and forgiving Father.
I think that our Faith is the Creator’s most precious gift given to humanity; it is this spiritual gift which bridges the deep gulf between heaven and earth and the only means with which to reunite the children with the Father.
Yes, all the believer’s life is based on Faith! Faith in the completed work of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus unto redemption from the sin of this world, and a new understanding what life really means and how to live it.
I find it very refreshing and spiritually uplifting when being among joyful, kindhearted, generous followers of the Gospel of our beloved Lord and Savior Christ Jesus; there are no regrets, just joyful gratitude!
John 8:25-32KJV
”Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them – ‘Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning’.
(26) - ‘I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him’.
(27) - They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
(28) - Then said Jesus unto them, ‘When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.’
(29) - ‘And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.’
(30) - As he spake these words, many believed on him.
(31) – Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him. ‘If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’
Robert – your careful, protective approach regarding living the new Faith we confess to believe in is very much appreciated; it is our testament to the Glory of God! The Christian Faith is a noun and a verb.
You mention “exhibiting faith according to the teaching of God’s Word.” Yes, there is no other way to give expression to faith than to live the Faith.
The believer’s faith-experience becomes stronger as he lives the Word of God, His Gospel. This is at the very heart of our Christian religion, living the Faith - Christ's Testament - we confess to believe in.
We want to believe, live, whole-heartedly, but some might believe, live only half-heartedly. Faithfulness would also be whole-hearted, but again, many might express faithfulness only half-heartedly.
Only the Father knows the heart of the believer and its capacity to live the Faith he confesses to believe in. God relates to each believer in a sacred, personal way through the Holy Spirit.
Yes, we want to clean in front of our own house first before we start cleaning the front steps of the neighbor’s house.
The more we love our Lord and Savior, the more grateful we are for having been loved as we were still a sinner, the deeper/truer we express faith in that which we believe.