Topical Bible: Righteousness Imputed: God's Righteousness Never to be Abolished

Bible > Topical > Righteousness Imputed

◄ Righteousness Imputed: God's Righteousness Never to be Abolished ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Theological Context

Righteousness imputed refers to the Christian doctrine that the righteousness of Jesus Christ is credited to believers, allowing them to be justified before God. This concept is central to the doctrine of justification by faith, which asserts that individuals are made righteous not by their own works, but through faith in Jesus Christ. The imputation of righteousness is a legal declaration by God, where He accounts the believer as righteous based on the perfect obedience and sacrificial death of Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The doctrine of imputed righteousness is rooted in several key biblical passages. In Romans 4:5-6 , the Apostle 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 the principle that righteousness is credited to believers through faith, not through their own efforts.

Further, 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 sin of humanity, and in exchange, His righteousness is imputed to those who believe.

God's Righteousness: Eternal and Unchanging

The righteousness of God is an eternal attribute, inherent to His divine nature. It is unchanging and everlasting, as affirmed in Psalm 119:142 : "Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is true." This verse emphasizes the perpetual and immutable nature of God's righteousness, which stands in stark contrast to the transient and flawed righteousness of humanity.

Isaiah 51:6 further declares, "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its inhabitants will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail." Here, the prophet Isaiah assures that while the physical world is temporary, God's righteousness and salvation are eternal and unfailing.

Imputed Righteousness and the Believer's Assurance

The imputation of righteousness provides believers with assurance of their standing before God. Romans 8:1 proclaims, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This assurance is grounded in the righteousness of Christ, which is credited to believers, ensuring their acceptance before God.

Moreover, Philippians 3:9 expresses the Apostle Paul's desire to "be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God on the basis of faith." This highlights the believer's reliance on the righteousness of Christ, rather than their own, for justification and acceptance by God.

Conclusion

The doctrine of imputed righteousness is a cornerstone of Christian theology, affirming that believers are justified by faith in Christ and not by their own works. God's righteousness, eternal and unchanging, is credited to those who trust in Jesus, providing them with assurance of their salvation and standing before God. This divine righteousness, unlike human righteousness, is never to be abolished, reflecting the eternal nature of God's character and His covenantal promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 5:16
But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Negative Side
... says, "So then with the mind I myself serve THE LAW OF GOD". ... of the Epistle which
treats of the results of Divine righteousness being imputed to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/the negative side.htm

The Positive Side
... Righteousness imputed to the believer produces in the justified one a ... That the
righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled ... as still under the moral Law of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/the positive side.htm

Of Baptism.
... both of the guilt which was imputed to us ... They also apprehend righteousness, but
such righteousness as the ... by imputation only, God, in his mercy, regarding them ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 of baptism.htm

Concerning Justification.
... the devil; because if our heart condemn us, God is greater ... saith he, wherein Christ
is ascribed and imputed to believers for righteousness, the merit ...
/.../proposition vii concerning justification.htm

Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam, the Whole Human Race Made ...
... ever since Adam revolted from the fountain of righteousness. ... which proceeds from
him is imputed as sin. ... and affections are enmity against God, and consequently ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 through the fall.htm

The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... sqq.; Ephesians 2:8, 9). Righteousness is imputed to faith because it receives Christ
as our righteousness and ascribes ... God is indeed a God of order and peace ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... effects thereof is taken away from them unto whom righteousness is imputed for
justification. ... its advantages; and then glorieth in the love of God in Christ ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

First Sunday after Epiphany
... blessed than wealth, and sin more glorious than human righteousness. ... him, and that
the will of God may be ... This sin is not imputed to Christians, because they ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/first sunday after epiphany.htm

How Christ Performed the Office of Redeemer in Procuring Our ...
... in a manner laid, ceases to be imputed to us. ... by it we are reconciled to God,
satisfaction is ... sin was taken away, by his resurrection righteousness was renewed ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 how christ performed.htm

Regeneration by Faith. Of Repentance.
... as if they had no existence, are not imputed, but we ... God is an evil, and that hindrance
to righteousness is sin ... who have resolved to turn the word of God into a ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 3 regeneration by faith.htm