Some will disagree with my approach to today’s Text, Galatians 3:6. “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
One verse earlier (Galatians 3:5) we were taught (again) that “the hearing of faith,” not “the works of the law” brings salvation. Brings the Holy Spirit and the power of God into our lives; simple, pure “belief” in Jesus does this.
Then Paul illustrates this Truth, this Bible means of salvation! From, of all places, the Old Testament! From the life of the Jewish Patriarch Abraham!
Here is Moses’ Account of the event:
“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he BELIEVED in the LORD; and he (the LORD) counted it to him (Abram) for righteousness.” Genesis 15:1-6
Eternal life!
Eternal blessings!
An indestructible nation!
A pristine testimony!
All given to Abraham … because of the non-meritorious act of believing!
“Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Our Text once again.
“Believed” is “pisteuo” in Greek, the word Paul would have written here. “To think to be true!” Or “to credit, give credence (confidence) to!” Or even “to be persuaded of!”
The accompanying verb “was accounted” is “logizomai,” meaning to Paul and his generation … “to reckon, to calculate, to compute!”
Abram “trusted” GOD!
GOD consequently “deposited” to Abram “righteousness!
Oh yes, “righteousness” means “being in a perfect state,” having no wrong (in Almighty God’s Eyes, mind you)! “Straight,” not crooked!
Abraham was “saved” by “faith!”
What a logical thinker, the Apostle Paul!
He has here demolished any “salvation by works” theology! And he used Scripture to do so! No wonder he could preach so freely to a man under conviction … “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31, spoken to the broken, repentant Philippian jailer.
By Grace, through Faith!
Amen!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
An “anachronism” is placing a newer truth somewhere way back in time and forcing it to apply to an ancient age! I have just said Abraham was “saved” (basically a New Testament term) by “faith,” applying that terminology to an Old Testament character! (Hence the charge: anachronism!)
But I am not going to change a word in the Lesson! Abraham WAS INDEED SAVED (counted righteous) by “BELIEVING GOD!” By faith!
That’s not anachronism, that’s realism, folks!