James Lowery #185436
Osborn Correctional Inst.
P.O. Box 100
Somers, CT 06071
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Recently I was having a discussion with a Brother over how the New Testament is influenced by the Old Testament. During this discussion there was one verse that came to the forefront- Genesis 15:6, "And he (Abram) believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." As we discussed the impact of this verse on the New Testament, we came to the conclusion that saying that the New Testament is influence by the Old Testament, more specifically, Genesis 15:6, is a gross understatement. All of Paul's writings, as well as James', have been influenced by this verse.
To realize this we need to have a proper understanding of faith and righteousness as used in the Bible. In his study guide, "Encountering the Book of Genesis," Lattis Campbell says that, "faith is not something one has. Rather, faith is something one does. True faith is demonstrated by actively following God." For a clearer understanding of faith, we must read Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." While this is not so much a definition of what faith is, it is a description of what faith does. Two truths concerning its activity are stated here. First, faith provides "substance." Second, faith provides "evidence." Because of faith, objective reality is not required. Faith is the affirmative response to God's will and word. Man possesses faith when he takes God at his word. Faith is the acceptance of something merely because God has said it, "...blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" (John 20:29).
In his study guide Lattis Campbell goes on to say that "righteousness is a right relationship with God who alone determines what is right or wrong. Righteousness is a personal relationship with God in which we strive to please him."
To understand how both Paul and James used these terms in their epistles we must have an illustration of their use in the Old Testament. The simple fact is that when God had counted Abraham righteous he had done nothing but trust in God's promises.When God called Abraham out of Ur, he obeyed. He left behind the security of his family, friends, and land. Then when he was faced with the choice of taking richer lands for himself and giving the barren lands to Lot, he trusted God's promise to give him a fruitful land and he gave the richer lands to Lot (Gen. 13:5-18). Furthermore, even though he and his wife were too old to have children, he trusted that God would give him a son through Sarah (Gen. 17:15-19; 21:1-8). Abraham's trust, belief, and faith in God is clearly seen when Abraham is asked to sacrifice his son Isaac. In Gen. 22:5 we read, "And Abraham said unto his young men,Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship and come again to you." Abraham's faith was so strong that he knew that he and Isaac would both come back down the mountain (cf. Heb. 11:17-19). In all of this, Abraham had done nothing to earn righteousness. He believed God and God alone made him righteous.
In Romans and Galatians, Paul reasons that justification by works rests on the principle that men may earn their salvation by doing good. If this were true, good men would be saved by their good works and salvation would not be a free gift. But justification by faith rests on the principle that imputes righteousness to the ungodly as a free gift. "for by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8,9). Paul states that justification is by faith alone. To prove his point he asks if Abraham was justified before or after he received the rite of circumcision. Paul's answer is clear, righteousness was reckoned to Abraham while he was uncircumcised. Paul is not saying that Abraham's faith was a good work by which he saved himself. he is saying that his faith was what his obedience was based on. When Abraham was circumcised, he was receiving a sign or seal of the righteousness which he had through faith (cf. Rom. 3:21-5:11).
In Romans, Paul's concern is the question, "How does one come into a right relationship with God?" In the epistle of James, James' concern is with the demonstration of one's faith. Both Paul and James use the same verse to prove their point, genesis 15:6.
To prove his point about faith, true saving faith, James asks two questions, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and not works? Can faith save him? (Jam. 2:14)." To fully understand James' use of faith one must carefully read this verse. In it James does not state that the person he is speaking of "has" faith." He is distinguishing between one who "possesses" from one who merely "professes." In his second question he asks, "can faith save him?" Here James is speaking of professed faith, that which a man claims to have, which is not true saving faith. According to Romans the unjustified man is a condemned sinner; but in the epistle of James he is a hypocrite. Salvation is not accomplished through the cooperation of faith and works, but faith finds its channel of expression in works (cf. James 2:22). James candidly denounces the brand of self-acclaimed faith which finds no profitable service. Genesis 15:6 was spoken years before Isaac was offered, but it was then that Abraham's faith became evident. Abraham's fame resulted from works, the result of real faith (Rom. 4:19-22); but his relationship with the Lord had been settled years before.
Both Paul and James quote Genesis 15:6; yet seem to draw different conclusions from it. Paul did so to show that it was Abraham's attitude of trust in God that brought him into a right relationship with God. James did so to show that it was Abraham's attitude of trust in God that brought him into a right relationship with God . James did so to show that anyone who has faith in God, who is in a right relationship with God, will show the reality of that faith and relationship by conduct which is consistent with that faith.
Salvation is received in New Testament times in the same manner as in Old Testament times, by faith. When Abraham trusted in the Lord he was mad righteous. Today the same principle applies. Righteousness is placed upon the believer when by faith a believer receives Jesus Christ as Savior. Righteousness is from God, through Jesus Christ to all who receive him by faith. Will you trust in God? Will you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
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