“But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.” -Romans 4:23–25
Finally, Paul applies his illustration of Abraham’s faith to his current point. That Scripture records the fact that Abraham’s faith was counted to him for righteousness was not written merely to honor Abraham. If it was written to honor anyone, it was written to honor God’s faithfulness to be merciful to sinners, to honor his righteousness.
But Paul tells us it was recorded for our sakes also. Faith is counted as righteousness to Paul’s readers also—if they believe the promises God gave to them. Here is a key. Abraham believed God about the promise made him. Though God’s promise, long-range, included Christ, what was immediately promised was to give Abraham a son in his old age that would make him the father of many nations. Abraham believed God. Though he may not have fully understood that the way God would accomplish the promise would be to crucify and resurrect a distant son of Isaac’s, Abraham believed God’s ability was greater than his own understanding.
This is true also for Paul’s readers, and by extension, true for us reading Paul’s letter today. God delivered up Jesus our Lord to pay for our trespasses, then he raised him up from the dead to vindicate Jesus (as one who was sinless, he did not deserve death; but he died for us) and for (on account of completing) our justification (Jesus is the first fruits of the resurrection Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:23).
In other words, Jesus’s resurrection was the proof that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice (cf. “and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,” -Romans 1:4). And now, every person who responds to the promise by faith (in kind with Abraham), it is counted to him for righteousness as well.
That is so good – that Jesus’s resurrection proved God accepted his sacrifice. I never thought of it that way before.
I look forward to reading Crumbs first thing each morning. It encourages me and sets the tone for the rest of my day.