“For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’” – Rom 4:3 (ESV)
Paul reaches back to Abraham — before circumcision, before the law — to demonstrate that faith has always been the basis of God’s justifying verdict. Abraham did not perform his way to righteousness; he believed God’s promise and that belief was credited, reckoned, counted as righteousness. The Greek word logizomai is an accounting term — God made an entry in the ledger. It is the same word Paul uses for our justification in Christ: God credits Christ’s righteousness to our account through faith. This is the magnificent exchange — our sin to Christ, His righteousness to us. All of it received by faith alone.
Reflection:
When you think about your standing before God, do you think of it as something you maintain by behavior or as something credited to you by grace through faith?
Which posture shapes your daily life more?
Prayer:
Father, I receive the credited righteousness of Christ today. I do not maintain my standing — I receive it. I am as righteous before You as Christ, by faith. This truth undoes my pride and my despair equally. Thank You. Amen.
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