Justified by Faith Through Abraham's Example for Today's Believers
Justified by Faith: Lessons from Abraham for Today's Believers
Discover powerful lessons from Abraham's journey of faith that reveal what it means to be justified before God, exploring how his example of trusting God's promises provides a timeless blueprint for experiencing righteousness through faith rather than works.
Key Verse: "And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." - Genesis 15:6 (KJV)
Among biblical figures, Abraham stands uniquely as the father of faith, the friend of God, and the foundational example of justification by faith. His story isn't merely ancient history—it's a living blueprint for how God declares sinners righteous through faith alone. The apostle Paul devoted an entire chapter (Romans 4) to expounding Abraham's justification as the pattern for all believers. Understanding Abraham's journey from pagan idolatry to righteous faith provides crucial insight into how we, too, can be declared right with God.
Romans 4:3 (KJV) quotes Genesis 15:6, emphasizing: "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." This simple yet profound statement revolutionizes our understanding of salvation. Abraham didn't earn righteousness through good deeds, religious rituals, or moral perfection. He believed God, and that faith was credited to his account as righteousness. The Greek word translated "counted" is logizomai—an accounting term meaning to credit or reckon to one's account. God took Abraham's faith and credited it as righteousness, just as a deposit is credited to a bank account.
Galatians 3:6-9 (KJV) reinforces this principle: "Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." Abraham's justification by faith wasn't an Old Testament exception—it was the gospel preached beforehand. All who believe are Abraham's spiritual children, justified by the same faith principle.
Abraham's Journey to Faith
Abraham's faith journey began in Ur of the Chaldees, a sophisticated city steeped in idolatry. Joshua 24:2 (KJV) reveals his pagan background: "And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods." Abraham came from an idol-worshiping family. He had no spiritual heritage, no religious advantage, no merit before God. Yet God called him.
Genesis 12:1-3 (KJV) records God's call: "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." God asked Abraham to leave everything familiar—his country, his relatives, his father's house—and go to an unknown destination based solely on God's promise.
The Faith Response: Genesis 12:4 (KJV) records Abraham's response: "So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him." This is faith in action—obeying God's word even when it doesn't make human sense. Hebrews 11:8 (KJV) expands: "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went." Abraham didn't understand the full plan, didn't see the destination, didn't have all answers. He simply trusted God's word and obeyed. This is the essence of justifying faith—taking God at His word even when circumstances seem impossible and the future looks uncertain.
The Impossible Promise
God's promise to Abraham centered on descendants. Genesis 13:16 (KJV) records God saying: "And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered." God promised countless descendants. But there was one problem: Abraham and Sarah were childless and advancing in years. Years passed with no fulfillment. Human possibility faded as they aged beyond childbearing years.
Genesis 15:1-5 (KJV) records a pivotal moment. God appeared to Abraham in a vision, promising: "Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." But Abraham questioned: "Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless?" God responded by taking Abraham outside and saying: "Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them... So shall thy seed be." Then comes the crucial verse: "And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness" (Genesis 15:6).
Romans 4:18-21 (KJV) provides commentary: "Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform." Abraham's faith wasn't naive optimism or wishful thinking. It was reasoned trust in God's character and power despite impossible circumstances.
Faith Before Works, Not Works Before Faith
A crucial detail in Abraham's justification timeline proves that faith, not works, justifies. Genesis 15:6 records Abraham's justification by faith. Genesis 17 records God establishing circumcision as a covenant sign. Romans 4:9-11 (KJV) highlights this chronology: "Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised."
The Order Matters: Abraham was justified by faith years before he was circumcised. Circumcision didn't produce righteousness—it signified already-existing righteousness received through faith. This sequence demolishes works-based salvation. We're not made right with God by performing religious rituals, obeying laws, or doing good deeds. We're justified by faith, and then good works flow naturally from justified lives as evidence of genuine faith. Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV) clarifies: "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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Faith first, then works—never works producing faith.
Faith Tested and Proven
Abraham's faith journey wasn't without challenges. Genesis 22 records the ultimate test: God commanded Abraham to offer Isaac—the promised son, the child of miracle, the heir through whom all promises would be fulfilled—as a burnt offering. This command seemed to contradict everything God had promised. How could Abraham become father of many nations if Isaac died before having children?
Yet Abraham obeyed. Genesis 22:3 (KJV): "And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him." Hebrews 11:17-19 (KJV) explains Abraham's reasoning: "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure."
Abraham believed God could raise Isaac from the dead if necessary. His faith in God's promises was so strong that even an apparent contradiction couldn't shake it. He trusted God's character above circumstances, God's word above human reasoning, God's power above natural limitations. This is mature, tested, proven faith—the kind that justifies and transforms.
God's Provision: At the last moment, as Abraham raised the knife, God stopped him. Genesis 22:12-13 (KJV): "And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son." God provided a substitute—the ram died instead of Isaac. This prefigured God's ultimate provision: Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, dying as our substitute so we might live. Abraham's willingness to offer Isaac demonstrated genuine faith, and God's provision of a substitute demonstrated His grace.
Lessons for Today's Believers
What can we learn from Abraham's justification that applies to our lives today? Several crucial lessons emerge:
First, Justification Is by Faith Alone: Abraham's example proves conclusively that we're made right with God through faith, not works. Romans 4:4-5 (KJV) states: "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." If we work to earn salvation, God owes it to us. But salvation isn't debt God pays—it's grace He gives. We don't work to be justified; we believe in Him who justifies, and our faith is credited as righteousness.
Second, Faith Trusts God's Promises Despite Circumstances: Abraham believed God would give him descendants when circumstances made it impossible. Similarly, we trust God's promises even when circumstances seem contradictory. Second Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) instructs: "For we walk by faith, not by sight." Sight says salvation requires our effort. Faith says Christ's work is sufficient. Sight says we must earn God's favor. Faith says His favor is freely given through Christ.
Third, Faith Produces Obedience: Abraham's faith wasn't passive belief—it produced active obedience. He left his homeland, believed God's promise, offered Isaac when tested. Genuine justifying faith always produces obedience. James 2:17-18 (KJV) clarifies: "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works." Faith alone justifies, but justifying faith is never alone—it produces works. Abraham was justified by faith (Genesis 15:6), and his faith was demonstrated by works (Genesis 22). Both are true without contradiction.
Fourth, Justification Brings New Identity: God changed Abram's name to Abraham—from "exalted father" to "father of many nations." Genesis 17:5 (KJV): "Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee." The name change reflected his new identity based on God's promise, not current reality. Similarly, justification gives us new identity in Christ. We're no longer identified by our sin but by Christ's righteousness. Second Corinthians 5:17 (KJV): "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
How to Be Justified Like Abraham
If you want to experience justification by faith as Abraham did, here's how:
Recognize Your Need: Abraham couldn't produce descendants naturally. Similarly, you can't produce righteousness naturally. Romans 3:23 (KJV): "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Acknowledge your spiritual bankruptcy before God. Admit you can't save yourself, earn favor, or meet His standard through your efforts.
Believe God's Promise: Abraham believed God's promise of a son. Believe God's promise of salvation through Christ. John 3:16 (KJV): "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." God promises eternal life to all who believe in Jesus. Take Him at His word.
Trust Christ's Work, Not Your Own: Abraham didn't trust his ability to produce a son—he trusted God's promise. Don't trust your good works, religious activities, or moral efforts to make you right with God. Trust Christ's finished work on the cross. Romans 4:24-25 (KJV): "But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Jesus died for our sins and rose for our justification. Believe this, and righteousness is credited to your account just as it was to Abraham's.
Live by Faith: Justification isn't just an initial experience—it's the basis for daily Christian living. Galatians 2:20 (KJV): "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Live each day trusting Christ's sufficiency, depending on His grace, and obeying His word out of grateful faith.
The Freedom of Justification by Faith
Justification by faith brings profound freedom. You're free from the burden of trying to earn salvation through works. You're free from fear that you'll never be good enough. You're free from guilt, because Christ bore your guilt. You're free from condemnation, because there's no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Romans 5:1-2 (KJV) celebrates: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Justification produces peace with God, access to grace, and hope of glory. These aren't achievements we work toward—they're gifts we receive through faith.
Titus 3:5-7 (KJV) reinforces: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Justification comes through God's mercy and grace, not our righteous works. It makes us heirs of eternal life—children of God with full inheritance rights.
Walk in Abraham's Faith Today
Abraham's journey from pagan idolater to father of faith, from childless wanderer to father of nations, from works-focused religion to faith-based relationship demonstrates God's transforming grace. His example proves justification comes through faith alone in God's promises, not through human effort, religious ritual, or moral achievement. This truth hasn't changed. It's as relevant today as when Abraham believed God and was credited with righteousness.
Galatians 3:29 (KJV) declares: "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." When you believe in Christ, you become Abraham's spiritual descendant and heir of God's promises. You're justified the same way Abraham was—through faith credited as righteousness. You receive the same blessing Abraham received—right standing with God apart from works.
Are you trusting your works or Christ's work? Are you trying to earn God's favor or receiving it by faith? Are you living under law's burden or grace's freedom? Abraham's example calls you to stop striving and start trusting, to cease working for salvation and rest in Christ's finished work, to abandon self-righteousness and embrace God's gift of righteousness through faith.
Romans 4:23-24 (KJV) assures: "Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead." Abraham's story was recorded for you. His justification by faith provides the pattern for yours. Believe in Jesus—His death for your sins, His resurrection for your justification—and righteousness will be credited to your account. You'll be declared right with God, not someday when you've earned it, but right now through faith. Walk in Abraham's footsteps. Be justified by faith today.
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