Believe God

“Abraham believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” Genesis 15:6,

“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”Romans 4:3,

“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”Galatians 3:6,

“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”James 2:23

This verse appears over and over in the Bible, because it is *very* important. When we examine the reason for the repetition, we run smack into one of the biggest themes of the Bible. That is, God is faithful. He can, …He MUST be trusted.

--       What did Abraham believe?

God promised Abraham, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

--       What did Abraham receive for it?

Righteousness imputed to his account. Not earned, just freely counted on his behalf. Trusting that the eternal God will do

what He says He will do, was all that was required. He believed that the Truth is true. In spite of earthly circumstances

looking bleak.

--       Tell me again, how did Abraham obtain a righteous standing before his Creator?

“HE BELIEVED GOD.”

How can *WE* get righteousness?  Do what Abraham did, “BELIEVE GOD.”

--       Do we need to believe that God will give us descendants numbering as the stars of heaven?

No, that is what He said to Abraham, and Abraham had to believe Him.

--       Do we need to believe that God will send us to free the captives in Egypt?

No, that is what He said to Moses, and Moses had to believe Him.

--       What has God SAID to us that *WE* need to believe?

That Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who came in the flesh to pay the penalty for our sins.

--       Once more, what do we need to get?

Righteousness, imputed to our account. Er, my account? Do I have an account? Yes, and if you have ever “sinned”, then you have a negative balance. A debt to pay. Somehow you’ll have to “fix” it. Pay it off. Make it right. Good luck with that. God was kind enough to explain to us that we cannot earn our standing back. We need the gift of righteousness, which comes through faith in His Words.

--       So all I need is faith? That sounds easy. Faith in what?

Actually its not easy. As a human being, you don’t fully have control over what you believe. You can SAY that you believe something. You can TRY to convince yourself that something is true. But real faith is something that occurs inside of you when you are convinced internally, (in your heart of hearts, so to speak), that something is true. When its really there, it becomes visible as deeds. An analogy is the way a person can say, “I believe that rickety chair will hold me,” but refuse to sit on it. SAYING you believe it gives you no credibility if you refuse to actually prove it. Likewise, faith in the working of God is something akin to “trust,” deep inside of you, which shows itself in a willingness to “prove it,” so to speak. Miraculously, faith comes to a person through hearing the message (the good news) of Christ preached. This is how God chose to give out His gift. While listening to the Word of God, the Holy Spirit can create real faith in you. The conviction that God’s words are true. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 9:17

Are there other places in the Bible which tell us about this need for righteousness, this gift that I need? Yes, in fact, it’s the theme of the New Testament.

--       “…the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe.” Romans 3:21-23

--       “…not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ. The righteousness which is from God by faith.” Philippians 3:9

Q: So WHAT are we supposed to believe? What has God SAID to us with these writings that the Holy Spirit gave to Jesus’ disciples?

A: That Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who became a man to exchange his righteousness for our sins.

--       “He made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Q: What does it mean, “he became sin?” Did he become a sinner? 

A: No, Jesus was never guilty of sin.

--       “On the cross, Jesus was not a sinner, but God treated Him as if he was. And you’re not righteous, but God treats you as if you ARE!”  -MacArthur, “Election, Essential Truths of the Christian Faith”

God spoke to various people in various ways in ancient history, But the birth of Jesus Christ on earth is the pinnacle of God’s revelation to humanity. God finally spoke definitively through sending His eternal Son to take on human form, a body of flesh. God spoke and testified that Jesus Christ is His Son. To call God a liar is the ultimate grounds for condemnation. To believe Him is righteousness. He lived a perfect life, without sin, then exchanged his reward for your punishment!

--       “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-3,14

--       “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” 2 Peter 1:16-17

--       “This is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself. He who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” 1 John 5:9-10

THAT is what *WE* are supposed to believe. Urged to believe. Commanded to believe. If you don’t believe, you commit a grievous sin, because you assert that God Himself is a liar. He has sent His Son, and commanded that humans turn away from their love for sin, and follow Jesus Christ, trusting and honoring the God of Israel, the Creator of the world.