In Matthew’s genealogy the first one listed is Abraham. For Christ to come forth, He had to come from the line of Abraham to fulfill prophecy. Abraham is the father of the faithful, who have a like faith as he had (Rom. 4:11-12).
Abraham’s great trait was his faith. It was his faith and response to God’s voice that set him apart from his forbearers and further narrowed the promise made to the descendants of Shem to be to his descendants. He believed God and it was accounted unto him for righteousness. This is the inescapable beginning of bringing forth Christ in a person, being born again by faith. It is having His righteousness imputed to us, not because of what we have done, but in spite of what we have done, because we believe on Him who justifies the ungodly.
In Abraham this faith grew. He was like the good ground in the parable of the sower. He heard the Word and rejoiced, and let it sink in. He endured whatever persecution must have arisen from his leaving Ur. He began to obey, imperfectly at first, but becoming more and more obedient. He left his father’s house and did not allow the riches he had to choke the Word. He and Sarah looked for a city whose builder and maker is God. Seeing that city he spent his whole life in tents in a land God promised him, but he owned no part of it except the tomb which he bought. He was willing to even lay Isaac on the altar, and received him back from God and God provided Himself a lamb. Abraham was both full of faith and faithful, and because of this in him all nations are blessed.
He had only a small idea of all God was actually doing in his life. Though he had a promise of many descendants, and Christ said that he rejoiced to see Christ’s day, yet he hardly could have seen everything that he was accomplishing. He didn’t know that from him would come men who would write the very Words of God. He didn’t know that he was becoming a father of not only a physical seed but also a spiritual one. He could have had no idea of how his life as recorded in Scripture would inspire those who would come later. Indeed we are part of his reward, and his life is not complete without those who come later (Heb. 11:39-40).
All of this goes to show how little we can see of all God has for us if we will whole-heartedly surrender to him in a life of faith. Amen.
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In my study on this topic, the Greek term “logizomai” is the English term for “reckon/impute/credit/etc,” (all terms are basically equivalently used) and when I look up that term in a popular Protestant Lexicon here is what it is defined as:
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QUOTE: “This word deals with reality. If I “logizomai” or reckon that my bank book has $25 in it, it has $25 in it. Otherwise I am deceiving myself. This word refers to facts not suppositions.”
http://tinyurl.com/r92dch
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The Protestant Lexicon states this term first and foremost refers to the actual status of something. So if Abraham’s faith is “logizomai as righteousness,” it must be an actually righteous act of faith, otherwise (as the Lexicon says) “I am deceiving myself.” This seems to rule out any notion of an alien righteousness, and instead points to a local/inherent righteousness.
The Lexicon gives other examples where “logizomai” appears, here are some examples:
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Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude [logizomai] that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Rom 4:4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted [logizomai] as a gift but as his due.
Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon [logizomai] ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon [logizomai] that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
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Notice in these examples that “logizomai” means to consider the actual truth of an object. In 3:28 Paul ‘reckons’ faith saves while the Law does not, this is a fact, the Law never saves. In 4:4 the worker’s wages are ‘reckoned’ as a debt because the boss is in debt to the worker, not giving a gift to him. In 6:11 the Christian is ‘reckoned’ dead to sin because he is in fact dead to sin. In 8:18 Paul ‘reckons’ the present sufferings as having no comparison to Heavenly glory, and that is true because nothing compares to Heavenly glory.
To use logizomai in the “alien status” way would mean in: (1) 3:28 faith doesn’t really save apart from works, but we are going to go ahead and say it does; (2) 4:4 the boss gives payment to the worker as a gift rather than obligation/debt; (3) 6:11 that we are not really dead to sin but are going to say we are; (4) 8:18 the present sufferings are comparable to Heaven’s glory.
This cannot be right.
So when the text plainly says “faith is logizomai as righteousness,” I must read that as ‘faith is reckoned as a truly righteous act’, and that is precisely how Paul explains that phrase in 4:18-22. That despite the doubts that could be raised in Abraham’s heart, his faith grew strong and convinced and “that is why his faith was credited as righteousness” (v4:22). This is also confirmed by noting the only other time “credited as righteousness” appears in Scripture, Psalm 106:30-31, where Phinehas’ righteous action was reckoned as such. This is confirmed even more when one compares another similar passage, Hebrews 11:4, where by faith Abel was commended as righteous.
Nick.
Sometimes with comments it can be hard to gather context to understand exactly what a person is saying.
I would have to say though that it is interesting that you mention Romans 4:4, but not 4:5.
"But to him not working, but believing on Him justifying the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."
Faith is here clearly contrasted with a work. Far from being called righteous in the beginning Abraham was called in Ur and his father at least was an idol worshipper (Jos. 24:15). Abraham was by no means a more righteous man than those around him, but he believed when God spoke and he obeyed.
His faith was not a meritorious work, because Paul contrasts faith to works here. Imputed righteousness is a very righteousness though and from it acts of righteousness flow.
Whatever is not of faith is sin (Rom. 14:23), even "good" acts by which we think we can please God. That is why He alone can receive glory since anything we initiate is unworthy of Him. Acts of faith are acts done in response to and obedience to Him. Without His instigation we would have nothing to respond to and no ability to act in faith. By Faith Abel offered...and obtained a witness. Faith is not a work itself but it is the basis of works.
Paul clearly wanted an "alien righteousness" even towards the close of his life.
Phil 3:8-9, "But no, rather, I also count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them to be dung, so that I may win Christ and be found in Him; not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God by faith..."
Paul had done many great works for God and yet he could not stand before God in his own righteousness.
Maybe you have been a better person than I have, but I would never want to stand before God in any righteousness but His. If I am found in Him (viewed as perfect because I am viewed through Christ) then I am safe, apart from that I have no hope.
Perhaps you have worked well and have a greatly embroidered beautiful garment. Still I would suggest you lay that aside and take the plainer one given by king those without it are bound hand and foot and cast into outer darkness (Matt. 22:2-14).
Nick.
one more thing as regards "logizomai"
It clearly refers to a transgression which was another's and not Christ's own when it is used in Mark 15:28 and Luke 22:37 where it states that Christ was reckoned (logizomai) among the transgressors. Clearly this was an alien transgression. By faith in Him, He gets my sin and I get His righteousness. I receive His anointing because when the head is anointed the body is also. Everything comes from being in Him.
The Church is called to be the Bride of Christ. Some interesting things concerning what is entailed in this marriage are alluded to in Isaiah 4:1, "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, we will eat our own bread and wear our own clothing; only let us be called by your name, to take away our shame."
The foregoing verse refers to women being willing to enter even into a sham marriage and bear the name of a man because men would be so scarce. The two main provisions a husband brings are food and apparel. If we are part of the Bride of Christ, we must accept His food and His apparel. The significance of the apparel is seen in Ruth when she asked Boaz to cover her, and thus symbolize that she was under His protection. Likewise we must be covered by his apparel to be under Christ's protection.
Daniel,
Thank you for your response.
The main reason why I didn't mention Rom 4:5 is because "credited as righteousness" was what was being investigated, so I was showing how logizomai is used elsewhere in the NT as well as in context (ie rom 4:4).
Obviously, Paul would not be having one meaning for logizomai in 4:3, then change it in 4:4 and then change back in 4:5, and thus it must be being used the same way - and as I showed only one meaning makes sense for 4:4.
There is no clear indication if Abraham was an idolater in the beginning, but what is clear (as you note) is that he was obedient to God since Gen 12, which is years before Gen 15:6.
I think you need to clarify what you mean when you say, "His faith was not a meritorious work, because Paul contrasts faith to works here," because it seems you are equivocating with the term "works" here. Paul is excluding a certain notion of 'works', but to say that faith has no meritorious value is a jump to conclusions.
You said later: "Acts of faith are acts done in response to and obedience to Him. Without His instigation we would have nothing to respond to and no ability to act in faith. By Faith Abel offered...and obtained a witness. Faith is not a work itself but it is the basis of works."
I would agree with that quote, but I would note God is pleased to bless an "act of faith in response to and obedience to Him."
You said: "Paul clearly wanted an "alien righteousness" even towards the close of his life.
Phil 3:8-9"
Unfortunately, people often miss the true context when quoting this passage, for Paul explains verse 9 directly in verses 10-11 which most people forget to examine. In 10-11 Paul clearly says this is about an inner transformation - the furthest thing from alien righteousness!
You said: "Paul had done many great works for God and yet he could not stand before God in his own righteousness."
I don't think that's what Paul is saying, because starting at verse 3 he is getting at the fact if the Judaizers have something to brag about, then Paul even more so, but then points out it's not about the Mosaic Law and lineage that counts, but God's transforming grace.
I am glad you examined where else logizomai is used, but I think if you look carefully it's actually saying something different. For example, when Christ was "reckoned" among the transgressors the people 'reckoning' Christ as a transgressor were committing a heinous crime! They 'reckoned' incorrectly! It's no different than if someone reckoned you as a murderer, because they'd be committing slander against you! So, clearly, to reckon incorrectly is condemned.
Nick,
Thank you for your response.
As you know, Mark 15:28 and Luke 22:37, are both quoting from Isaiah 53:12, "Therefore I will divide to Him with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He has poured out His soul to death; and He was counted among the transgressors; and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for transgressors." In context there it is not other people who are reckoning Christ among the transgressors. It is God the Father who is reckoning Him among the transgressors because He is bearing the sin of the transgressors. "For He has made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21.
You have made the point that logizomai must mean that there is a fact not a supposition. I would agree with that.
Christ is reckoned among the transgressors because actual transgressions are laid to His account, they just do not originate in Him. To put it in Bank terms He has signed His name to my debt, the whole balance is therefore due to Him and not me. Likewise I am credited with all the good that He did.
I am in full agreement with what you wrote about 3:28 so we'll leave that verse.
On the whole I would say I agree with your statement that it refers to a real fact, but I see other ways that it can be so and still not make faith a work. Especially since Paul especially contrasts faith to works and even writes in 4:8, quoting Psalm 32:2, "Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will in no way impute (logizomai) sin." Clearly this does not refer to David having no sin, but having his sin not held against him as the Psalm shows. Thus in the contrast Abraham's faith is crediting him with a righteousness that is very real, and placed in has account and in that sense his, but yet not originating from him, but from Another.
The key to understanding what "logizomai" means in Rom. 6:11, we have to look at the previous portion. To briefly state it, Because we know we died with Him and were crucified with Him, then we "reckon" on that fact. The being in Him is a fact therefore the being dead to sin must follow.
8:18 as you state does deal with facts. 1 penny of suffering is hardly to be compared with $1,000,000 of glory, to put it in accounting terms.
As to why I say faith is not a work, Rom. 4:5 says that more strongly than I ever could "But to him not working, but believing..." Paul declared faith not to be a work there and also in Eph. 2:8-9, "For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Again note through faith... not of works. Is the cry of a man lost in the woods for help out a "work", I would say, "no" it seems you would say, "Yes."
Thanks again for replying.
Hi!
The context of Is 53 doesn't say it was God doing the reckoning, and in the Gospel accounts themselves it is very clear it is men 'reckoning' Christ among the transgressors (i.e. crucifying Him between two theives and being labeled by the Jews as a criminal alongside Barabbas). Is 53 must be interpreted in light of how the Gospels do.
As for quoting 2 Cor 5:21, the term 'impute' isn't used there, nor is that how "numbered among the transgressors" is used: the phrase refers to humiliation Christ had to endure, as if a king were numbered among commoners, not a legal transaction.
You said: "To put it in Bank terms He has signed His name to my debt, the whole balance is therefore due to Him and not me."
Then it's not imputation of alien status then at that point, but a very real taking on of guilt. You're dispensed from the debt due to the fact it was transferred, not that it was actually paid off.
You said: On the whole I would say I agree with your statement that it refers to a real fact, but I see other ways that it can be so and still not make faith a work.
I don't see where this issue even arises, for faith isn't a work to begin with, so there is no danger of "making it a work."
You said: "Clearly this does not refer to David having no sin, but having his sin not held against him as the Psalm shows."
The Psalm actually does a good job of explaining the situation, David's sin was forgiven, meaning there was no longer any sin to impute to him.
You said: Thus in the contrast Abraham's faith is crediting him with a righteousness that is very real, and placed in has account and in that sense his, but yet not originating from him, but from Another.
Well, I would in a sense agree with that, for even Abe's faith was itself a gift to him. It became his though. I think Psalm 106:30f also helps my case.
You said: Paul declared faith not to be a work
I don't see how this ever was an issue. For Paul to say faith=work is equivocation on his part.
You said: Is the cry of a man lost in the woods for help out a "work", I would say, "no" it seems you would say, "Yes."
I don't think that's the "work" Paul had in mind, for what you propose is akin to a man repenting. Repenting surely isn't part of the 'works' Paul condemned. (David was repenting in Psalm 32:1-5.)
Nick,
I don't really see the point of carrying this on much longer. Clearly we have very different views of what Scripture teaches on this.
I will only write this Isaiah 53 should explain the NT passages not the other way around. Whenever the NT writers quoted passages from the OT they could assume familiarity among all Jewish hearers. For example if one were to only read what Paul writes in Rom. 9 concerning Pharaoh, you could come away thinking that he was a servant of God unless you know who he actually was.
Looking again at Isaiah 53:11-12, "He shall see the fruit of the travail of His soul. He shall be fully satisfied. By His knowledge shall My righteous Servant justify for many; and He shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore I (God the Father) will divide to Him with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He has poured out His soul to death; and He was counted among the transgressors; and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for transgressors."
Note how being numbered with the transgressors is in the immediate context of bearing the sins of others.
I must admit that I did not write well concerning Christ's signing my debt, you are right that would make it His, and He paid that debt on the cross.
Feel free to write one more response here, but after that I would consider this discussion closed. As you can probably tell I am not much of a debater and that isn't really why I write this blog.
Agreed, there is no sense in going back and forth on this. Since you are bringing up the issue of Is53, I'd like to post a debate I had against a Calvinist where I show Penal Substitution to be thoroughly unbiblical (and I go over major passages such as Is 53.
http://catholicdefense.googlepages.com/psdebate
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