22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (Rom 4:22-25)
The word counted in these verses is also translated credited, reckoned, and imputed in different versions of the Bible. These words are used to let us know that our faith results in a reality that we are righteous. The Blue Letter Bible app in its Greek lexicon explains the use of the word this way, “This word deals with reality. If I reckon (logizomai) that my bank book has $25 in it, it has $25 in it. Otherwise, I am deceiving myself. This word refers more to fact than supposition or opinion.”[1]
Following this definition, I see that it is fact that I’m righteous and it is the result of my requirement to believe in Jesus. I believe that Jesus took my sins when he was delivered up. But my justification is dependent on His resurrection. Without His resurrection, the transaction isn't complete. Just like taking a check to the bank, it isn't in my account until deposited. It took three days for the deposit to clear (so to speak). But, that's why I must also believe Jesus is raised from the dead. See how this fits with Rom 10:9-11:
9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe
in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and
is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Thank you, Father for taking the deposit of Jesus’ righteousness and reckoning it to my account and declaring me justified.
[1] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3049/esv/mgnt/0-1/
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