Genesis 15:6
And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Genesis 15:6
Abram’s faith—“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness” (NRSV). This terse statement is pivotal: trust in God’s promise is credited as righteousness. It marks the moment when human faith is accepted by God as the basis of a right relationship with Him, independent of works.
This is foundational for Christian understandings of justification by faith. It demonstrates that righteousness is a relational status granted by faith, not earned through merit. It also shows God’s gracious response to faith, which becomes the catalyst for the Abrahamic covenant and its later theological unfolds.
Faith is not passive belief but active trust anchored in God’s character. How can you cultivate a faith that God credits as righteousness today? Practical steps: nurture a daily rhythm of remembering God’s faithfulness, confess any doubt honestly, and act on promises you believe God has given, even if outcomes aren’t immediate.
Cross-References
- Romans 4:3-5
- Galatians 3:6-9
- James 2:23