Accounted For Righteousness

He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities. 

Isaiah 53:11 

And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. 

Genesis 15:6 

Justification by faith is an ancient concept. We find it included in the life of Abraham, the ‘father of the Faithful.’ The portion of our text from Genesis is from the account of Abraham’s life. It is a clear statement of justification by faith. Paul dedicated the fourth chapter of Romans to this point. Having quoted Genesis 15:6 earlier in the passage, he concludes, ‘but to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.’ He goes on to include David in the discussion as one who understood imputed righteousness when he adds, ‘just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.’ The Old Testament saints understood justification. Isaiah understood it well enough to be able to articulate it clearly in the 53^rd chapter of his prophecy. Because his passage is full of Christ, we come quickly to understand and appreciate that the work of Christ is the foundation of our justification.  Apart from the Person and work of Christ we cannot be just with God. Hence, His statement, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ Thus, it is of paramount importance that we ‘cease not teach and preach Jesus Christ.’  

Our Glorious Living Christ, 
we rejoice that it is Your work that justifies us. 
We praise You that we stand before the Throne of God 
robed in Your righteousness. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning