Credited as Righteous: The Role of Faith in Justification

The Heart of Justification: Faith, Not Works

In Romans 4:5, Paul writes, “But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.” This statement encapsulates a foundational truth of the gospel: justification is not earned through human effort or works but is received through faith in God. The phrase “faith is credited as righteousness” speaks to how God, in His grace, counts the believer’s faith as righteousness, even though the believer’s works could never meet God’s perfect standard.

To understand what this means, we must first recognize the problem of sin. All humans are born into sin and are, by nature, separated from God. Romans 3:23 declares, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This means that no one can be righteous in their own strength or by their own works. The law, which reveals God’s righteous standards, exposes our inability to keep those standards. Romans 3:20 confirms, “Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Since we cannot achieve righteousness on our own, we need another way to be made right with God.

This is where the concept of faith being “credited as righteousness” comes in. God, in His grace, chooses to accept faith in Jesus Christ as the basis for righteousness. Instead of requiring us to earn righteousness through perfect obedience to the law, He justifies those who place their trust in Christ. This radical shift from works to faith as the basis of justification is the heart of the gospel.

The Meaning of “Credited” or “Accounted” as Righteousness

The key phrase in Romans 4:5 is that faith is “credited” or “accounted” as righteousness. This is a legal term that refers to something being reckoned or imputed to someone’s account. In this case, faith is not righteousness in and of itself, but God credits or counts it as righteousness for the believer. This does not mean that our faith is a work that earns righteousness; rather, it is the means by which we receive the righteousness of Christ.

In Genesis 15:6, we see the origin of this idea in the life of Abraham: “And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” Abraham was not justified by his works but by his faith in God’s promise. God counted Abraham’s faith as righteousness, even though Abraham himself was not perfectly righteous. Paul uses this example in Romans 4 to show that justification has always been based on faith, not works.

The term “credited” emphasizes that righteousness is not something we produce but something that is given to us. It is imputed to us by God, meaning that He treats us as righteous because of our faith, even though we are sinners. 2 Corinthians 5:21 captures this concept of imputation: “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Jesus took our sin upon Himself, and in exchange, His righteousness is credited to us. This divine exchange is at the core of justification by faith.

Faith: The Means, Not the Cause, of Righteousness

It is crucial to understand that faith itself is not what makes us righteous. Rather, faith is the means by which we receive Christ’s righteousness. We are not justified because of the strength or quality of our faith but because of the object of our faith—Jesus Christ. When we place our faith in Christ, God credits us with His perfect righteousness. This righteousness is not something we earn through our faith; it is a gift that we receive through faith.

In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul emphasizes that salvation, including justification, is a gift of God: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Faith is the instrument through which we receive God’s grace, but the righteousness we receive is entirely a gift. It is the righteousness of Christ, not our own righteousness, that justifies us before God.

This is why Paul insists that justification is “apart from works” in Romans 3:28: “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” Our faith is not a substitute for good works; it is simply the means by which we accept God’s gift of righteousness. The righteousness we are credited with is not earned or deserved—it is given freely because of God’s grace. Faith is, therefore, the open hand that receives the righteousness of Christ.

The Righteousness of Christ: The Basis of Our Justification

For faith to be “credited as righteousness,” there must be a righteousness that can be credited to us. That righteousness is found in Jesus Christ. When we are justified by faith, God credits the perfect righteousness of Christ to our account. This is what makes justification possible—Jesus lived a sinless life and perfectly fulfilled the law’s requirements on our behalf. By His obedience and sacrificial death, Jesus secured the righteousness that is credited to all who believe.

In Philippians 3:9, Paul describes the righteousness he seeks: “And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.” The righteousness that justifies us is not our own; it is the righteousness of Christ, given to us through faith. When we believe in Christ, God credits us with His perfect obedience, treating us as if we had lived the sinless life that Jesus lived.

This righteousness is what theologians call “imputed righteousness.” It is not infused into us or something we produce through our own efforts; it is credited to us by God because of our union with Christ. Romans 5:19 explains this exchange: “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” Just as Adam’s sin was imputed to all humanity, Christ’s righteousness is imputed to all who place their faith in Him. This is the basis of our justification: Christ’s righteousness is credited to us, and we are declared righteous in the sight of God.

The Role of Faith in Receiving God’s Promise

Faith plays a central role in receiving the promises of God, particularly the promise of justification. Just as Abraham believed God’s promise and was credited with righteousness, we, too, are called to believe in God’s promise of salvation through Christ. Romans 4:16 highlights the importance of faith in receiving this promise: “Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed.” Faith ensures that the promise of justification is based on grace, not on works, so that it can be received by all who believe.

Faith is trusting in God’s promise to justify the ungodly through Christ. It is not just an intellectual belief but a deep, personal trust in God’s faithfulness and in Christ’s finished work on the cross. This trust is what allows us to receive the gift of righteousness. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith looks beyond our own efforts and righteousness and trusts fully in God’s ability to save.

Abraham’s example of faith is instructive for us. He believed God’s promise even when it seemed impossible. In the same way, we are called to trust in God’s promise to justify us, even when we are fully aware of our own sinfulness and unworthiness. Romans 4:20-21 says of Abraham, “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” Just as Abraham trusted in God’s promise, we trust in God’s promise of justification through faith in Christ.

The Assurance of Justification by Faith

One of the greatest blessings of justification by faith is the assurance it provides. Because our justification is based on Christ’s righteousness, not our own, we can have confidence that we are truly justified before God. If our justification were based on our own works or efforts, we would never have assurance, for we would always fall short. But because it is based on faith in Christ’s finished work, we can rest in the certainty that we are accepted by God.

In Romans 5:1, Paul writes, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This peace with God is the result of being justified by faith. It is the assurance that our sins are forgiven, that we are no longer under God’s wrath, and that we are fully reconciled to Him. This assurance is not based on our performance but on God’s promise and Christ’s perfect righteousness.

This assurance is further reinforced by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who confirms our justified status. Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” The Holy Spirit assures us that we are justified and that we belong to God as His children. This assurance allows us to live in the freedom and joy of our justification, knowing that we are secure in God’s love.

Conclusion: The Transformative Power of Faith Credited as Righteousness

The statement “faith is credited as righteousness” in Romans 4:5 reveals the transformative power of God’s grace. It shows us that justification is not something we can achieve through our own works or efforts but is a gift we receive through faith in Christ. God, in His mercy, credits our faith as righteousness, not because of anything we have done but because of what Christ has done on our behalf. This truth transforms our relationship with God, giving us peace, assurance, and the hope of eternal life. Our faith is the means by which we receive the righteousness of Christ, and through this righteousness, we are justified, reconciled to God, and brought into His eternal family.