Genesis 15.6
Believe/Faith – a continuous and continued action, giving credence to a message, considering it to be true, relying on someone, trusting in someone… and in such a way as to produce a corresponding action. Belief/faith produces particular (measurable/observable responses and actions) and peculiar (counter-intuitive and "foolish" in the eyes of the world) behaviors.
Righteous – conforming to God's standards. Doing right in God's eyes. God-approved and God-pleasing behavior spring from a proper attitude before God.
Abram does not "do" any righteousness. He believes. His believing/faith is counted, reckoned, imputed, credited to him as righteousness in God's sight.
Romans 4.1-12
Abram was a "believer", was reckoned as righteous, was accepted by God, and was called by God, receiving promises and a covenant… all before circumcision.
Psalm 32. King David was acquitted and restored by humbly acknowledging his guilt and casting himself, in faith, upon God's mercy.
Galatians 3.6-9, 14, 16, 29
The Galatians are the true descendants of Abraham because they have the faith of Abraham. They have believed the Gospel. So, they participate in the blessings of Abraham: acceptance, acquittal, reward, promise, righteousness, and justification. Paul also ties the believer's possession of the Spirit to the descendants of Abraham (verses 1-5) and the blessings of Abraham (verse 14 probably drawing from Isaiah 44.3).
"Gentile" Abraham believed and was reckoned as righteous 430 years before the Law and 14 years before circumcision.
James 2.14-17, 21-24
Are Paul and James at odds? No! James was addressing a false teaching that asserted that you would "believe" in a way different than Abraham believed (Genesis 15.6). A person cannot be a part of the people of God and still remain outside of the rule of God. We cannot be in the Kingdom of God without submitting to its King.
Galatians 5.6
Philippians 2.12-13
Ephesians 2.8-10
Questions to consider before caregroup
How did these passages affect you as you were listening to the message?
Did these texts challenge your definition of faith? Of righteousness?
Why do you think the Romans and the Galatians struggled with the place of the Law in the life of the believer? The sign of circumcision? Why did adding these as requirements for justification/salvation distort the Gospel?
Do you add any requirements? When you don't "feel" right before God, do you ever look to works to feel more accepted? Why or why not?
Why did James clarify and correct his audience's distorted view of faith? Do Paul and James agree?
