What Was Imputed to Abraham?

[KenH]

WHAT WAS IMPUTED TO ABRAHAM?

(Gen 15: 6), “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” (Rom 4: 3), “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” SPECIFICALLY, what WAS “counted” to Abraham? I.e. What is the IT? According to the fourth chapter of Romans, SOMETHING was counted (or reckoned, or imputed) to Abraham. But, what?

Whatever IT was, it was not something Abraham did. It was not ANYTHING found IN Abraham, (not even his inward grace of faith). I.e. God justified Abraham (declared him Righteous) based on what He “counted” (imputed) to him. And, Abraham was NOT Justified by HIS “works”. Rom 4: 2, “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.”

Whatever IT was, IT was imputed to Abraham BEFORE he was circumcised. Rom 4: 10, “How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.”

Whatever IT was, IT is imputed to others also. Rom 4: 23-24, “Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;” I.e. Whoever (in any generation) believes on the same God and Lord that Abraham believed in, God has “counted” to THEM (exactly) what He “counted” to Abraham.

And, considering the reverse of the foregoing statement, whatever IT is that is “imputed” to “us also” (and by which a Just God and Savior declares “US” Righteous), THAT is what was “counted” to Abraham (and by which God declared HIM Righteous).

I.e. God has imputed His Righteousness to those who believe in a Just God and Savior in ANY generation, (whether Abraham BEFORE the Cross or Paul, the Apostle, AFTER the Cross). They are Justified before God based on the Righteousness Christ “brought in” by His obedience unto death. They are (forever) declared Righteous by God because God has “counted” (reckoned/imputed) to them the Righteousness Christ worked out at the Cross.

David, the Psalmist, declared those sinners “blessed” (and tells us SPECIFICALLY what God “counted” to Abraham). Rom 4: 6, “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works..”

So, WHAT was imputed to Abraham? The ONE Righteousness God (Himself) provided and has ALWAYS owned as His (“God’s Righteousness”); the ONE Righteousness Christ “brought in” by His obedience unto death; the ONE Righteousness by which God Justifies (declares Righteous), otherwise, ungodly sinners in every generation.

- by Mark Pannell (Bible Studies & Articles (rofgrace.com))

 

[Van]

The copy and paste barrage of false doctrine continues, this is the fourth one today.

His faith was credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5). There is no mystery!!!!

And also the faith of those who believe (as determined by God) in the One who raised Jesus from the dead, their faith is credited as righteous faith.

 

[KenH]

The copy and paste barrage of false doctrine continues, this is the fourth one today.

His faith was credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5). There is no mystery!!!!

And also the faith of those who believe (as determined by God) in the One who raised Jesus from the dead, their faith is credited as righteous faith.

"unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works. This righteousness cannot be the righteousness of the law, or man's obedience to it; for that is a righteousness with works, is a man's own, and not imputed; and indeed is not a righteousness in the sight of God: nor does man's blessedness lie in, or come by it; no man is, or can be instilled by it, nor saved by it, or attain to heaven and eternal happiness by the means of it; but the righteousness here spoken of is the righteousness of Christ, called the righteousness of God; and is better than that of angels or men; is complete and perfect; by which the law is honoured, and justice is satisfied. This is freely bestowed, and graciously "imputed" by God. Just in the same way his righteousness becomes ours, as Adam's sin did, which is by imputation; or in the same way that our sins became Christ's, his righteousness becomes ours; and as we have no righteousness of our own when God justifies us, this must be done by the righteousness of another; and that can be done no other way by the righteousness of another, than by imputing it to us: and which is done "without works"; not without the works of Christ, of which this righteousness consists; but without the works of the creature, or any consideration of them, which are utterly excluded from justification; for if these came into account, it would not be of grace, and boasting would not be removed. Now such who have this righteousness thus imputed to them, are happy persons; they are justified from all sin, and freed from all condemnation; their persons and services are acceptable to God; it will be always well with them; they are heirs of glory, and shall enjoy it."

- from John Gill's Bible commentary on Romans 4:6

 

[Van]

"unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works. This righteousness cannot be the righteousness of the law, or man's obedience to it; for that is a righteousness with works, is a man's own, and not imputed; and indeed is not a righteousness in the sight of God: nor does man's blessedness lie in, or come by it; no man is, or can be instilled by it, nor saved by it, or attain to heaven and eternal happiness by the means of it; but the righteousness here spoken of is the righteousness of Christ, called the righteousness of God; and is better than that of angels or men; is complete and perfect; by which the law is honoured, and justice is satisfied. This is freely bestowed, and graciously "imputed" by God. Just in the same way his righteousness becomes ours, as Adam's sin did, which is by imputation; or in the same way that our sins became Christ's, his righteousness becomes ours; and as we have no righteousness of our own when God justifies us, this must be done by the righteousness of another; and that can be done no other way by the righteousness of another, than by imputing it to us: and which is done "without works"; not without the works of Christ, of which this righteousness consists; but without the works of the creature, or any consideration of them, which are utterly excluded from justification; for if these came into account, it would not be of grace, and boasting would not be removed. Now such who have this righteousness thus imputed to them, are happy persons; they are justified from all sin, and freed from all condemnation; their persons and services are acceptable to God; it will be always well with them; they are heirs of glory, and shall enjoy it."

- from John Gill's Bible commentary on Romans 4:6

LOL, scripture says "his faith" (not him) was credited as righteousness.

You would think the law of averages would result in some copy and paste posts of merit, but no...

Scripture says believers are "made righteous" not declared or credited as righteous.

 

[KenH]

Scripture says believers are "made righteous" not declared or credited as righteous.

The ungodly have no perfect righteousness in themselves, nor can they create it. The only way one can obtain a perfect righteousness that God accepts is to have the perfect righteousness of Christ imputed(credited) to him. Without this imputation by God, as a "just God and a Savior" (Isaiah 45:21), to the elect, they can not stand before Him in a perfect righteousness.

 

[Van]

The ungodly have no perfect righteousness in themselves, nor can they create it. The only way one can obtain a perfect righteousness that God accepts is to have the perfect righteousness of Christ imputed(credited) to him. Without this imputation by God, as a "just God and a Savior" (Isaiah 45:21), to the elect, they can not stand before Him in a perfect righteousness.

Good grief, ever think of addressing the post? Did anyone say folks have "perfect righteousness in themselves? Or could create it?

No verse says or suggests Christ's righteousness is credited or imputed to those saved. It is a total fiction.
Scripture says believers are "made righteous" not declared or credited as righteous.

 

[KenH]

No verse says or suggests Christ's righteousness is credited or imputed to those saved. It is a total fiction.

Romans 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works (emphasis mine)

 

[Van]

Romans 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works (emphasis mine)

LOL, every OT saint had his or her faith credited to them as having righteous faith. This should be a concept everyone can grasp. Just read Hebrews 11. By faith... they obtained approval. But were not made righteous, until after Christ died.

 

[KenH]

LOL, every OT saint had his or her faith credited to them as having righteous faith. This should be a concept everyone can grasp. Just read Hebrews 11. By faith... they obtained approval. But were not made righteous, until after Christ died.

Romans 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works (emphasis mine)

 

[Van]

Romans 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works (emphasis mine)

Did not address this verse in post #8? By faith they obtained approval, but they were not made righteous. Why not explain why disagree with this obvious fact, well supported from scripture?

 

[KenH]

Did not address this verse in post #8? By faith they obtained approval, but they were not made righteous. Why not explain why disagree with this obvious fact, well supported from scripture?

Romans 4:6 is quite clear to those whose eyes and ears and understanding the LORD has opened.

 

[Revmitchell]

Rom 4:3 For what does the Scripture say?  R22 “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

In other words believing is not a work that merits salvation.

 

[KenH]

Rom 4:3 For what does the Scripture say?  R22 “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

In other words believing is not a work that merits salvation.

True. The only ones who are given true faith are the elect after God regenerates them.

 

[Van]

Romans 4:6 is quite clear to those whose eyes and ears and understanding the LORD has opened.

And these sort of posts is all falselogy has to offer.

Ellicott - A further instance of the nature of the justification which proceeds from faith...

Barnes - as entitled to God's favor in a way different from conformity to the Law.

Thus many commentaries agree the idea is to obtain favor by faith. So the false claim is not quite clear to many whose eyes and ears have actually been opened.

 

[Van]

True. The only ones who are given true faith are the elect after God regenerates them.

An utterly false doctrine lacking any actual support from scripture, thus no scripture is presented. The claim folks are first regenerated (which results in justification) before their faith obtains favor is idiotic.

 

[KenH]

An utterly false doctrine lacking any actual support from scripture, thus no scripture is presented. The claim folks are first regenerated (which results in justification) before their faith obtains favor is idiotic.

Ephesians 2:4-9 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, ( by grace ye are saved; ) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. (emphasis mine)

John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (emphasis mine) ("were born" is past tense indicating something that happens before believing)

 

[Van]

Ephesians 2:4-9 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, ( by grace ye are saved; ) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. (emphasis mine)

John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (emphasis mine) ("were born" is past tense indicating something that happens before believing)

LOL, When we were dead in sin, God made us alive together with Christ. So why did God put us spiritually into Christ's spiritual body? We were saved by grace though or by means of faith. Thus our faith according to this Ephesians reference provided our access to the grace in which we stand. Romans 5:1-2.

Then we have John 1:12-13. We were given the power to become the sons of God because we believed. Therefore before we were born anew, becoming sons of God.

The inability to understand scripture stems from non study and acceptance of errant commentary.

 

[KenH]

LOL, When we were dead in sin, God made us alive together with Christ. So why did God put us spiritually into Christ's spiritual body? We were saved by grace though or by means of faith. Thus our faith according to this Ephesians reference provided our access to the grace in which we stand. Romans 5:1-2.

Then we have John 1:12-13. We were given the power to become the sons of God because we believed. Therefore before we were born anew, becoming sons of God.

The inability to understand scripture stems from non study and acceptance of errant commentary.

You have faith in your faith, Van. There is no saving power in that.

 

[Revmitchell]

True. The only ones who are given true faith are the elect after God regenerates them.

Uh no, not found in scripture

 

[Van]

You have faith in your faith, Van. There is no saving power in that.

Ephesians 2: When we were dead in sin, God made us alive together with Christ. So why did God put us spiritually into Christ's spiritual body? We were saved by grace though or by means of faith. Thus our faith according to this Ephesians reference provided our access to the grace in which we stand. Romans 5:1-2.

Then we have John 1:12-13. We were given the power to become the sons of God because we believed. Therefore before we were born anew, becoming sons of God.

The inability to understand scripture stems from non study and acceptance of errant commentary.