Faith Is Counted as Righteousness

Readings:
Psalm 15
Galatians 3:1-9

Focus:
Galatians 3:6: "Look at Abraham: he put his faith in God, and that faith was counted to him as righteousness."

In the Epistle to the Galatians, Paul is arguing with the Christians in Galatia about whether or not they need to observe certain ceremonial laws in order to be saved. Paul's argument is that ceremonial laws are unnecessary. Only faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation.

Paul brings in the example of Abraham. Abraham was not righteous in every deed that he did. Abraham sinned. But he put his faith in God. Because of this, despite the sins he had committed, God counted it as if Abraham were righteous.

That's the way it works now, too. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, God counts it as if we were righteous.