“He believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).

This verse remains one of the most profound statements in all Scripture. It helps establish the crucial truth of biblical religion, that of justification by faith alone, and it does this long centuries before Paul wrote about it in Romans. All of which helps prove the point that from Eden onward, salvation always came the same way.

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The immediate context of the verse helps us understand just how great Abram’s faith was, believing in God’s promise of a son despite all the physical evidence that would seem to make that promise impossible. It is the kind of faith that realizes its own utter helplessness, the kind of faith that demands a complete surrender of self, the kind of faith that requires a total submission to the Lord, the kind of faith that results in obedience. This was the faith of Abram, and it was counted to him “as righteousness.”

Why does the Bible say that it was “counted to” him or “credited to” him as righteousness? Was Abram himself “righteous” in the sense of God’s righteousness? What did he do, not long after God declared him righteous, that helps us understand why this righteousness was credited to him, as opposed to what he himself actually was?

However much Abram’s life was a life of faith and obedience, it was not a life of perfect faith and perfect obedience. At times he displayed weakness in both areas. (Does that sound like anyone you know?) All of which leads to the crucial point, and that is: the righteousness that saves us is a righteousness that is credited to us, a righteousness that is (to use a fancy theological term) imputed to us. This means that we are declared righteous in the sight of God, despite our faults; it means that the God of heaven views us as righteous even if we are not. This is what He did with Abram, and this is what He will do to all who come to Him in “the faith of Abraham” (Romans 4:16).

Read Romans 4:1-7. Look at the context in which Paul uses Genesis 15:6. Pray over those verses and write out in your own words what you believe they are saying to you.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Key Thought: In the covenants, blood was shed for sin. Jesus paid the debt owed to the law, so we can stand righteous in the sight of God.
June 19, 2021

1. Have a volunteer read I Peter 1:18,19.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What does it mean to be ransomed?
3. Personal Application: Are you saved? How do you know you are saved? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “If we are saved only by a credited righteousness, not something that exists within us, then it doesn’t matter what we do or how we act.” How would you respond to your friend?

2. Have a volunteer read Genesis 15:6.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Was Abraham’s righteousness in the sense of God’s righteousness?
3. Personal Application: What did Abraham do that helps us understand why this righteousness was credited to him, opposed to what he actually was? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “So if God credits everyone with righteousness because of Christ’s life and death; then the Universalists are correct that everyone will eventually be saved.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Leviticus 7:18, 17:1-4.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. How is the idea of reckoning, counted, or regarded used when referred to sacrifices?
3. Personal Application: Despite our faults, sins, and shortcomings, Jesus accounts us as righteous in God’s sight. How does that fact affect your response to Jesus in your life? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “The Bible says is we confess, God will forgive us. But I don’t feel forgiven, nor do I feel like I am righteous. I still have the same flaws and make the same mistakes.“ How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Galatians 3:11..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. Why is no man justified by the law in the sight of God?
3. Personal Application: What is the difference between a living faith and a dead faith? What does faith involve? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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