What was Abraham's faith counted or imputed as?
Abraham believed God, and his faith was counted, or imputed, unto him for righteousness. Scripture declares that God spoke, Abraham trusted what God said, and his belief was reckoned as righteousness—not by works, but by faith, as the context explains.
Les explains that the Scripture asks what Abraham, our father according to the flesh, found. If Abraham were justified by works, he would have something to glory in, but not before God. The crucial issue is what the Scripture says, not what Paul says or what any teacher says. God spoke, Abraham believed God, and it was counted or imputed to him for righteousness. Faith comes by hearing, so God must say something before mankind can believe it. Les then turns to James, verse 21, because scoffers and well-meaning Christians claim the Bible contradicts itself there.