(Rom 4:2)“For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. (3) For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” The text is not saying that faith “is” righteousness, but that faith was “counted as”: it wasn’t such but God decided to consider it such. Big difference. God is so good towards those who seek to please Him!