Topical Bible: Righteousness Imputed: Christ Brings in an Everlasting Righteousness

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Definition and Concept

Righteousness imputed refers to the theological concept where the righteousness of Jesus Christ is credited to believers, allowing them to be justified before God. This doctrine is central to Christian soteriology, emphasizing that human beings, in their sinful state, cannot achieve righteousness on their own. Instead, through faith in Christ, His perfect righteousness is accounted to them, making them acceptable before God.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of imputed righteousness is deeply rooted in Scripture. The Apostle Paul articulates this doctrine in several of his epistles. In Romans 4:5-6 , Paul writes, "However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. And David speaks likewise of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works." This passage highlights that righteousness is not earned by works but is a gift received through faith.

Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." This verse underscores the substitutionary atonement of Christ, where He took on the sins of humanity, and in exchange, His righteousness is imputed to believers.

Christ's Role in Imputed Righteousness

Christ's life, death, and resurrection are pivotal in the imputation of righteousness. His sinless life fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Law, which humanity could not achieve. By His sacrificial death, He bore the penalty of sin, satisfying divine justice. Through His resurrection, He conquered death, securing eternal life for those who believe.

Daniel 9:24 prophetically speaks of Christ's mission: "Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place." This prophecy foretells the coming of an everlasting righteousness through the Messiah, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Theological Implications

The imputation of Christ's righteousness has profound theological implications. It affirms the doctrine of justification by faith alone, a cornerstone of Christian belief. This righteousness is not infused or inherent but is an external righteousness that God credits to the believer's account. As a result, believers are declared righteous before God, not based on their merit but on Christ's finished work.

Romans 3:22-24 further elaborates, "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." This passage emphasizes that righteousness is a gift of grace, accessible to all who have faith in Christ.

Practical Application

The doctrine of imputed righteousness provides assurance and peace to believers, knowing that their standing before God is secure in Christ. It encourages a life of gratitude and obedience, not as a means to earn righteousness, but as a response to the righteousness already received. This understanding fosters humility, as believers recognize their dependence on Christ's righteousness rather than their own efforts.

In summary, the imputation of Christ's righteousness is a foundational truth that underscores the grace of God in salvation. It highlights the sufficiency of Christ's work and the believer's secure position in Him, bringing in an everlasting righteousness that transforms lives and glorifies God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 9:24
Seventy weeks are determined on your people and on your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Righteousness of Christ, an Everlasting Righteousness
... Now, since it is brought into the world by Christ, so in ... it now to the pulpit; I
now offer this righteousness, this free, this imputed, this everlasting ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the righteousness of christ an.htm

Salvation
... escape hell-fire by having Christ's righteousness imputed to them ... the Lord's
righteousness was imputed to these ... My righteousness shall sustain me, and keep me ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxi salvation.htm

Christ --Perfect through Sufferings
... the salvation taught in this Book, brings all to ... After sin is washed away, and
righteousness imputed, we yet want ... Now, if Christ had not suffered he could not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christperfect through sufferings.htm

The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin, Righteousness, and ...
... dear Lord Jesus, which, if once imputed to him ... I am enabled to apply Christ's
righteousness to my ... have really been convinced of sin, righteousness and judgment ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the holy spirit convincing the.htm

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... enter into controversy as to imputed righteousness this morning ... precious, and is
counted unto us for righteousness. ... my faith in Jesus Christ, perfectly righteous ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm

The Righteousness of Works Improperly Inferred from Rewards.
... on the mercy of God and the merits of Christ: when faith ... will answer, Being a duty
acceptable to God, righteousness is in respect of its merit imputed to us ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the righteousness of.htm

The Wise and Foolish virgins
... and despise the true servants of Christ as much ... all your hopes will fail you when
God brings you into ... on the wedding garment of an imputed righteousness, and a ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the wise and foolish virgins.htm

Its Objects
... be "the elect." And this brings us to a ... his blessedness arises from an imputed
righteousness" (A. Booth ... faith (on the ground of Christ's righteousness) to enter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/7 its objects.htm

Hopkinsians.
... in justification, or their being pardoned and accepted for Christ's righteousness'
sake; and this ... Jonathan's righteousness was imputed to Mephibosheth when ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/hopkinsians.htm

Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ ...
... on our part, righteousness is imputed to us ... last saint is born and has attained life
everlasting. ... the honor and the glory Christ's righteousness brings even to ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty third sunday after trinity.htm