Abraham's faith is accounted as righteousness because he believed what God promised — not because of any work he did.
The Bible says Abraham believed God, and his believing was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). Paul uses this to show that justification is by faith alone. Les Feldick calls this 'faith plus nothing,' stressing that God placed His own righteousness to Abraham's account.
Genesis 15:6 — This is the foundational verse where God counted Abraham's faith as righteousness.
Romans 4:3 — Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 to show that Abraham's faith was accounted as righteousness apart from works.
The Bible clearly teaches that Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 says, "And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness." Here, the basis for righteousness is Abraham's act of believing, not any work he performed. Romans 4:3 repeats this, and Romans 4:4–5 explains the principle: "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." This shows the contrast between earning a reward by works and receiving righteousness through faith. Romans 4:20–21 describes Abraham's unwavering trust: "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."
Les Feldick teaches that when Abraham believed God, his believing was placed on his heavenly account as righteousness. He calls this 'faith plus nothing' — Abraham did not earn it, work for it, or bring anything to God. God simply looked at Abraham's faith and accounted it as righteousness. Les emphasizes that Abraham was well over 80 and childless when God promised him a nation. Despite how human and impossible it seemed, Abraham believed. Les notes that Abraham's sacrifices and circumcision came later; they were not the basis of his righteousness. Instead, God imputed His own righteousness to Abraham, so that God could regard Abraham as if he had never sinned. Romans 4 is central to Les's teaching. He explains that 'counted' is a bookkeeping term — it was like putting something on an account. Abraham's believing was literally placed on the ledgers of heaven. Because righteousness comes by faith, no one will be able to boast in heaven about what they did to deserve it. Abraham is the proof that justification is by faith, not works.
Les explains that the word 'counted' in Romans 4:3 is a bookkeeping term. It means something was placed to Abraham's account. He says, "it was put to the account of Abraham" as righteousness. In the same way, 'imputed' is like entering something on the ledger of heaven. Abraham's believing — not his works — was what God credited to him.
Both Scripture and Les make clear that Abraham did nothing but believe. He did not offer sacrifices or enter the covenant of circumcision as the basis for his righteousness; those came later. He simply left Ur when God told him, and God called him righteous. Romans 4:4–5 contrasts the one who works (receiving a reward of debt) with the one who believes (having faith counted for righteousness). Les repeatedly calls this 'faith plus nothing.'
Romans 4 uses Abraham to prove that justification is by faith, not by works, law, or circumcision. God accounted Abraham as righteous before circumcision was given. As Les points out, the Scripture asks whether Abraham's righteousness came in circumcision or uncircumcision. Since it came through faith before circumcision, it shows that justification by faith applies to both Jew and Gentile.
Abraham's Human Doubt
Les shows Abraham's humanity: he was over 80 and childless, wondering how God could make a nation from him. Yet this is the same Abraham whose faith was accounted as righteousness.
Counted as Righteousness
Les connects Genesis 15 to Romans 4:3, explaining that 'counted' is a bookkeeping term — Abraham's believing was put to his account as righteousness because he did nothing but believe.
Faith as Salvation
Les says Romans 4 makes it plain that Abraham was saved by faith, not by works — his faith was that he believed God, and God accounted it as righteousness.
Believing Plus Nothing
Les explains that 'it' in 'it was counted' modifies 'believing.' Abraham's simple trust brought God's own righteousness to his account, and only then did he leave town.
Abraham's Faith in Hebrews 11
Les notes that in Hebrews 11, Abraham left Ur by faith, and nothing is said about sacrifices or circumcision; he simply believed what God told him.
Fully Persuaded
Les explains Romans 4:20-21: Abraham was fully persuaded, without any doubt, so his believing plus nothing was imputed or placed on the account.
No Boasting Before God
Les drives home the contrast: Abraham didn't do anything but believe, and God accounted it as righteousness — not Abraham's own, but the imputed righteousness of God.
Circumcision or Not
Les follows Romans 4's question about whether faith was reckoned in circumcision or uncircumcision, showing that righteousness is by faith, not by a rite.
Genesis 15:6: And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
This records the moment God accounted Abraham's faith as righteousness.
Romans 4:3: For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 as the proof text for justification by faith.
Romans 4:4: Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
This contrasts earning a reward by works with receiving grace.
Romans 4:5: But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
This explains that faith, not works, is the basis for righteousness.
Romans 4:20: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
This shows Abraham's unwavering faith in God's promise.
Romans 4:21: And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Abraham was fully persuaded that God would keep His word.
Abraham simply believed God. He did not perform any work, sacrifice, or religious rite to earn righteousness. God saw his faith and accounted it to him as righteousness.
Les teaches that both are bookkeeping terms. They mean that God placed something on Abraham's account. Abraham's believing was counted, or imputed, to him as righteousness on the ledgers of heaven.
No. Les points out that circumcision came later and was not the basis for Abraham's righteousness. He was counted righteous because he believed God, before circumcision was even given.
No. Les says no one, including Abraham, can boast before God because righteousness comes by faith, not by works. Heaven will not be filled with people recounting what they did to get there.
Watch the Teaching: God’s Promise to Abraham: Understanding Genesis 12 & 15