Topical Bible: Righteousness Imputed: The Righteousness of God, Without the Law

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Definition and Concept

Righteousness imputed refers to the theological concept where the righteousness of God is credited to believers, not through their own works or adherence to the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ. This doctrine is central to the understanding of salvation in Christian theology, emphasizing that human beings cannot achieve righteousness on their own but are made righteous through the grace of God.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of imputed righteousness is primarily derived from the writings of the Apostle Paul, particularly in the Book of Romans. Paul articulates that righteousness is a gift from God, received through faith, independent of the Law. In Romans 3:21-22 , Paul writes, "But now, apart from the Law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe."

The Role of Faith

Faith is the key mechanism through which righteousness is imputed to believers. It is not through human effort or adherence to the Mosaic Law that one is justified, but through faith in the redemptive work of Christ. Romans 4:5 states, "However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness."

Abraham as an Example

Paul uses Abraham as a prime example of righteousness imputed by faith. Before the Law was given, Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith in God's promises. Romans 4:3 says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." This demonstrates that righteousness has always been a matter of faith, not law.

The Law and Its Limitations

The Law, while holy and good, serves to reveal sin and the need for a Savior. It cannot impart righteousness. Romans 3:20 explains, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the Law. For the Law merely brings awareness of sin." The Law highlights humanity's inability to achieve righteousness on its own, pointing to the necessity of divine intervention.

Christ's Fulfillment of the Law

Jesus Christ fulfills the righteous requirements of the Law on behalf of humanity. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He accomplishes what the Law could not. Romans 8:3-4 states, "For what the Law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous standard of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

The Gift of Righteousness

Righteousness imputed is a gift of grace, not a reward for human effort. Ephesians 2:8-9 underscores this truth: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This gift ensures that all glory and honor are directed to God, the source of salvation.

Implications for Believers

For believers, the imputation of righteousness means living in the freedom and assurance of God's acceptance. It calls for a life of gratitude, obedience, and transformation, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Romans 6:13 encourages believers, "Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness."

Conclusion

The doctrine of righteousness imputed underscores the transformative power of faith in Christ, liberating believers from the constraints of the Law and ushering them into a new covenant relationship with God. Through this divine exchange, believers are clothed in the righteousness of Christ, standing justified before God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 3:21
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us,"
... and inestimable free gift of imputed righteousness,"of accounting us ... and have that
image of God renewed in ... the free gift of another's righteousness, (Romans 5 ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv that the righteousness.htm

Righteousness.
... His faith was an act recognizing God as his law, and that is ... A single righteous deed
toward one's fellow could hardly be imputed to a man as righteousness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/righteousness.htm

"That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us. "
... affections, and come to him, because God is in ... imputing their sins, because he hath
imputed them already ... he is in Christ, imputing his righteousness to sinners ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiv that the righteousness.htm

Perfect Righteousness was Conferred Neither by Circumcision nor by ...
... observance of Sabbaths, "believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness;
and he was ... for judgment, but the man who pleased [God] was translated ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi perfect righteousness was conferred.htm

The Lord Our Righteousness
... against making void that solemn decree of God, "Without holiness no man ... very end
the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, that "the righteousness of the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 20 the lord our.htm

The Justification of Man Before God
... or righteousness of Christ, which is imputed to believers ... not, in addition to this,
that active righteousness of Christ ... he exhibited to the law of God in the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/ix the justification of man.htm

The Righteousness of Christ, an Everlasting Righteousness
... now offer this righteousness, this free, this imputed, this everlasting righteousness
to all ... will ye stand before an angry God, without the righteousness ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the righteousness of christ an.htm

On the Justification of Man Before God
... the law, or as being the righteousness of another ... from the use of this word, "imputed,"
since the ... since the efficacy to salvation of God's gracious estimation ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 19 on the justification.htm

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... of God's bestowing, a righteousness that God also gives ... that believe (Romans 3:22),
a righteousness that stands in ... works of Christ, and that is imputed both by ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm

Jehovah Tsidkenu: the Lord Our Righteousness
... takes away our sin, so the merit of his obedience is imputed to us for righteousness. ...
God looks upon us as though that perfect obedience, of which I have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jehovah tsidkenu the lord our.htm