Counted as righteousness because of faith
Most people who speak about the righteousness that is counted to us think of sinners who believe in atonement, so that Jesus’ life—His righteousness—is counted as their righteousness, even though they do not deserve it. There are not many people who think that Jesus’ righteousness should become their personal life, most people think it is something that is only counted to them.
This was not so with Abraham. “And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6 (ESV). God had promised him a son. Abraham would have done a great unrighteousness if he had not believed - he would have made God a liar. But Abraham gave the glory to God and believed that God would do what He had promised. The fact that he believed it, that was counted to him as righteousness. In other words, he was righteous because he believed the promise. He believed that God would give him a son. Even though he was old and Sarah’s womb was dead, he did not doubt but grew strong in faith as he gave glory to God (Romans 4:19–24). The fact that Abraham gave all the glory to God proved his righteousness.
Promises
This was written for our sake. Who believes that God is faithful and will keep His promises? God has also given us, who are sinful people, great promises. “By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature …” 2 Peter 1:3–4 (NKJV). The person who believes that this will happen to him believes that God is true and faithful, and that will be counted to him as righteousness.
“And you ... He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” Colossians 1:21-22 (ESV).
These are glorious promises, but who believes them so that it will be counted to him as righteousness? Most believers have lost faith that God is faithful and true. They do not believe that He will do this with them, and that He is mighty to do it even though they are great sinners. No, they do not believe that God can do it, that He is mighty to do such a work with them.
So they believe that He will only account Jesus’ righteousness to them without any promises being fulfilled in their own lives. They think it should only be considered as if it were so. Is that giving glory to God? Is it righteous to believe that God treats His promises like that? Do you believe that this faith will be counted to you as righteousness? Thousands of people live in this false grace that Jude writes about in Jude 4, and God cannot fulfil His promises in their lives.
Righteousness—not only accounted to, but a reality
“But if we hope for what we do not see, then we eagerly wait for it with patience.” Romans 8:25 (NKJV).
Someone who does not eagerly wait for it does not believe either. Abraham believed, and he eagerly waited for Isaac to be born—the fulfilment of the promise. He received what he believed—he received Isaac. Abraham left footsteps of faith behind (Romans 4:12)! He obeyed when God called him (Hebrews 11:8).
We are Abraham’s children if we live in obedience to the faith. Then we receive what God has promised (Galatians 3:7)— we share in godly nature. We eagerly wait for it and flee the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. We do everything without complaining and doubting so we can be blameless and innocent, “… children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14–15 (ESV).
Here we see clearly that the promise is not something that we only pretend to be true, that shall only be accounted to us. It is meant to be fulfilled in our lives in this world. And if we believe in Him who is able to do far more than all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us, that will be counted to us as righteousness (Ephesians 3:20).