Believing (v. 6). Promises do us no good unless we believe them and act on them. Abraham had already trusted God’s promise (12:1-3) and proved it by leaving home and going to Canaan (Heb. 11:8). But Genesis 15:6 is the first reference in the Bible to Abraham’s faith. It is the John 3:16 of the Old Testament, and for this reason, the New Testament writers use it to illustrate salvation by faith.

There are only five words in the Hebrew original of Genesis 15:6, but what a wealth of meaning they contain. The verse is quoted three times in the New Testament: Galatians 3:6; Romans 4:3; and James 2:23. The three key words are believe, counted, and righteousness.

Abraham believed God, which is literally, “Abraham said, ‘Amen, God!’” The Hebrew word translated “believed” means “to lean your whole weight upon.” Abraham leaned wholly on the promise of God and the God of the promise. We are not saved by making promises to God but by believing the promises of God. In the gospel of John, which was written to tell people how to be saved (John 20:31), the word believe is used nearly one hundred times. Salvation is the gracious gift of God, and it is received by faith (Eph. 2:8-9).

What was Abraham’s greatest need? Righteousness. This is the greatest need of people in our world today, for “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). “There is none righteous, no, not one” (3:10). It is not enough to be “religious”; God demands that we have perfect righteousness or He will not let us enter His heaven.

How did Abraham receive this righteousness? He believed the Lord, and righteousness was imputed to him. “Impute” means “to put to one’s account.” On the cross, our sins were put on Jesus’ account (“numbered [counted] with the transgressors,” Isa. 53:12) when He suffered the punishment that belonged to us (53:6). When you trust Him, His righteousness is put on your account (2 Cor. 5:21), and you stand righteous and forgiven before a holy God.

Abraham proved his faith by his works when he offered Isaac on the altar (James 2:14-24). Abraham was not saved by obeying God or even promising to obey God, but his obedience proved his faith. Sinners are not saved by faith plus works but by a faith that works.

Take time to read Galatians 3, Romans 4, and James 2, and you will see how Abraham illustrates salvation by faith. In Galatians 3, Paul focuses on believe; in Romans 4, he deals with impute; and in James 2, James explains righteousness. It takes three New Testament chapters to unfold one verse!

The answer to Abraham’s fear was God’s presence–I AM. The answer to Abraham’s concern about his heir was God’s promise–I WILL. How will God answer Abraham’s third concern?