Topical Bible: Righteousness Imputed: The Promises Made Through

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Righteousness imputed is a foundational doctrine in Christian theology, emphasizing the belief that the righteousness of Christ is credited to believers, allowing them to stand justified before God. This concept is deeply rooted in the promises made through the Scriptures, particularly in the context of the covenantal relationship between God and His people.

Old Testament Foundations

The concept of imputed righteousness can be traced back to the patriarch Abraham. In Genesis 15:6, it is written, "Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness." This pivotal moment highlights the principle that faith, rather than works, is the basis for righteousness. The promise made to Abraham was not only for his own benefit but also for his descendants, establishing a pattern of faith leading to righteousness.

The prophets further developed this theme, pointing to a future fulfillment of God's promises. Isaiah 53:11 speaks of the suffering servant, "After the anguish of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities." This passage foreshadows the coming of a Messiah who would bear the sins of many, providing a means for righteousness to be imputed to them.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of these promises through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, expounds on the doctrine of imputed righteousness. Romans 4:5 states, "However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness." Paul draws a direct line from Abraham's faith to the faith of believers in Christ, affirming that righteousness is imputed through faith apart from works.

In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul further clarifies, "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 exchange—Christ taking on the sin of humanity and imparting His righteousness to believers—is central to the understanding of imputed righteousness.

The Role of Faith

Faith is the conduit through which righteousness is imputed. Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame," recounts numerous examples of individuals who were deemed righteous through their faith. Hebrews 11:7 highlights Noah, "By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."

The Promise to All Believers

The promises of imputed righteousness extend beyond the Jewish people to include Gentiles, as articulated in Galatians 3:7-9, "Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you.' So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."

Eternal Implications

The imputation of righteousness has eternal implications for believers. It assures them of their standing before God, not based on their own merit but on the perfect righteousness of Christ. This assurance is encapsulated in Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

In summary, the promises made through the Scriptures regarding imputed righteousness are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, offering believers the assurance of justification and eternal life through faith. This doctrine underscores the grace of God and the centrality of faith in the Christian life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 4:13
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... JUSTIFICATION BY AN IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS. ... from faith, so they are justified, because
done before God in, and made complete through, the perfections of ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... to enter into controversy as to imputed righteousness this morning ... why he was led
away from self-righteousness and the ... Beloved, no man reads the promises of God ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm

The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin, Righteousness, and ...
... in the dear Lord Jesus, which, if once imputed to him ... and a plentiful effusion of
it is promises in the ... Christless amongst you, of sin, of righteousness, and of ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the holy spirit convincing the.htm

Hopkinsians.
... the impotence of the sinner is owing to a disaffection of heart, is evident from
the promises of the ... Jonathan's righteousness was imputed to Mephibosheth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/hopkinsians.htm

Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity God's Testament and Promise in ...
... but God is one.21 Is the law then against the promises of God? ... after it had been
testified of Abraham that his faith was imputed to him for righteousness. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/thirteenth sunday after trinity gods.htm

The Promises of the Law and the Gospel Reconciled.
... feared, and worshipped by us, so the end of all the promises of mercy ... are deemed
righteous, or; which is the same thing, are imputed for righteousness. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 17 the promises of.htm

Knowing that a Man is not Justified by the Work of the Law, but by ...
... It is said that Abraham believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness. ...
verse 16, he says, "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/knowing that a man is.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them ... the
last dispensation, the "New Covenant." Promises made, duties inculcated ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

Two Things to be Observed in Gratuitous Justification.
... whose righteousness, apprehended by faith, is imputed to all ... void if the promise
of righteousness has respect to ... is doubt or uncertainty, the promises are made ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 two things to.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... and Holy One, these are the promises of good ... Covenant of Redemption, that promise
was made to the ... the others, it is that righteousness imputed through grace to ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm