When we come to trust in Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, God credits our account with righteousness immediately. That means we are saved as of that moment; we are right with God when we believe.

Paul often refers to the Old Testament in his letters, and he uses a key verse from Genesis at key points in his argument in both Romans and Galatians. It is Genesis 15:6. Let’s have a look at this verse in its original context:

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”

² But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” ³ And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.”

⁴ And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” ⁵ And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

⁶ And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
(Genesis 15:1-6 ESV)

Abraham had left his homeland because God called him to. He had been to Egypt, had his problems with his nephew Lot, and even had to fight in a battle. Yet after all of this, there was no sign of his promised child. His wife Sarah was old, far past childbearing years, and Abraham himself was old and starting to think about who to leave his possessions to. God had made a promise but had not yet delivered on it.

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