Romans 4:22
22 And [kai] therefore [dio] it was imputed [logizomai]
to him [autos] for [eis] righteousness [dikaiosune]. KJV-Interlinear
22
That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” ESV
Imputed means to credit, as in an accounting entry
when a credit is entered onto ones account, to be recognized or accounted for
as in when taking an inventory. It is recognized, assigned, and made a part of
a permanent record. A record of fact which cannot be undone or changed or
altered or cancelled.
And so, when Abraham believed in Christ, who then he
looked to as the Savior, but later we have come to know Him by the name, Jesus
Christ, then Abraham’s faith initiated an entry onto his life record. Namely into his soul as a permanent record of
Gods righteousness.
Note, that God did not credit Abraham with Abraham’s
righteousness.
This righteousness is the perfect righteousness or
perfect state, which can only come from God.
Our relationship with God, comes only through
Christ. We receive this imputation of
Gods righteousness, at the first moment of our faith in Christ. It is this righteousness that is necessary in
order to have a relationship with God.
Perfect God can only have a relationship with a perfect object.
And our perfection was made possible by the work of
Christ, on the Cross, when He paid the price of sin and death, for us, in our
place. A debt that we could not ever possibly pay ourselves.
And since Abraham is the pattern of faith by which we
follow, then we too, and everyone who believes in Christ, likewise, receives
Gods righteousness, imputed to us as a permanent record. This is further documentation of our eternal
security.
What God gives us is permanent.
He gave us life and that is permanent.
He gave us the gospel and that is permanent.
He gave us doctrine and that is permanent.
When we believe, then He gives us His righteousness,
which means a permanent relationship with Him, which is eternal life because
God is eternal and therefore our relationship is eternal. And all of that, too, is permanent.
And it is all possible not through mans works, but by
means of faith.
Faith relies on Gods work, never mans work.
