“Believed in the Lord” (Gen 15:6)

“And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Gen 15:6).

We only need faith. We don't need anything else to inherit the promises and be right with God. If we believe, then we have the promised blessing, believing that God is able to do what He's said. We glorify God by faith, “being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (Rom 4:21).

First, faith says, “I don't need to improve”. Abram was impotent and POWERLESS to work the blessing himself, nor could he contribute. No amount of will-power would make him able to have a child, “so then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy” (Rom 9:16). But, dry as dust and physically incapable, he still had the child by believing only. Scripture says, “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God” (Rom 4:20). Faith is how God works. He promises a humanly impossible salvation, and then He DOES it for all who believe.

Secondly, the promises are eternal life and the inheritance. Just as Abram was promised seed as the stars of heaven and sand of the sea, even so, we're promised ETERNAL life, forgiveness, holiness, etc. These things are not tiny, but they are mighty, great, and fitting a gift of God. God said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them... So shall your descendents be” (vs5).

Thirdly, the promises are earned and verified by the Lord Jesus Christ. His DEATH is why God can promise good to you. When Abram asked, “how shall I know that I will inherit this”, the Lord gave him a sign, as He passed between the sacrifices (Gen 15:8-11). He promised to fulfill the covenant for Christ's sake who died for us. It is written, “And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram” (vs17-18). He can bless us FREELY in covenant mercy and give us life because One died in our place to remove the sins. Christ said, “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours... and I am glorified in them”, so that the blood He shed for His elect JUSTIFIES God's grace to us, so that He may FREELY give salvation and be holy at the same time (John 17:9-10)! Faith RECEIVES salvation because the Savior accomplished it, has the right to give it, and He gives it to all who believe.

Finally, if you and I believe then we have what is promised. Read the bible this way, asking God, “Where is what I need? It is here! I believe that it is mine!” Then, by experience, it is. Jesus said plainly to all of us, “According to your faith let it be to you” (Matt 9:29).