Topical Bible: Righteousness Imputed: The Righteousness of God by Faith in Christ

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Definition and Concept

Righteousness imputed refers to the theological concept wherein the righteousness of God is credited to believers through faith in Jesus Christ. This doctrine is central to the Christian understanding of salvation and justification, emphasizing that human beings, inherently sinful and incapable of achieving righteousness on their own, are declared righteous before God through faith in Christ's redemptive work.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of imputed righteousness is deeply rooted in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. 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 the principle that righteousness is not earned by works but is a gift from God, credited to those who have faith.

The Role of Faith

Faith is the means by which believers receive the righteousness of God. In Romans 3:22 , Paul states, "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." Faith is not merely intellectual assent but a trust and reliance on Christ's atoning sacrifice. It is through faith that believers are united with Christ, and His righteousness is imputed to them.

Christ's Righteousness

The righteousness imputed to believers is the righteousness of Christ Himself. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 , Paul explains, "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, often referred to as the "Great Exchange," signifies that Christ took upon Himself the sins of humanity, and in return, His perfect righteousness is attributed to those who believe.

Justification by Faith

Imputed righteousness is closely linked to the doctrine of justification by faith. Justification is the act of God declaring a sinner righteous on the basis of faith in Christ. Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This justification is not based on human merit but solely on the righteousness of Christ imputed to the believer.

Old Testament Foreshadowing

The concept of imputed righteousness is foreshadowed in the Old Testament. Abraham's faith was "credited to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6), serving as a prototype for the New Testament teaching. Paul references this in Romans 4:3 , emphasizing that righteousness has always been a matter of faith, not works.

Implications for Believers

The imputation of righteousness has profound implications for believers. It assures them of their standing before God, not based on their own righteousness but on Christ's. This assurance fosters a life of gratitude, obedience, and sanctification, as believers live out their faith in response to the grace they have received.

Controversies and Clarifications

Throughout church history, the doctrine of imputed righteousness has been a point of theological debate, particularly during the Reformation. Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin emphasized imputed righteousness as central to the gospel, contrasting it with the Roman Catholic view of infused righteousness. The distinction lies in whether righteousness is seen as an internal transformation (infused) or an external declaration (imputed).

Conclusion

Righteousness imputed is a cornerstone of Christian soteriology, underscoring the grace of God in salvation. It affirms that through faith in Christ, believers are clothed in His righteousness, enabling them to stand justified before a holy God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 3:22
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ to all and on all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Righteousness of Christ is not Imputed to us for Righteousness ...
... whether the obedience of Christ be said to be imputed to us, and to be our
righteousness before God, or whether faith be said to be imputed for righteousness. ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/article xxiv iv the righteousness.htm

On the Justification of Man as a Sinner, but yet a Believer ...
... the apostle expresses himself in this manner, "Faith is imputed for righteousness,"
must not ... When God has decreed to justify no one through grace and mercy ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on the justification of man.htm

The Justification of Man Before God
... may be well and properly said, to a man who believes, faith is imputed for
righteousness through grace, because God hath set forth his Son, Jesus Christ, to ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/ix the justification of man.htm

The Righteousness of Faith
... whom it shall be imputed," to whom faith shall be imputed for righteousness, shall
stand ... of perfect obedience, in order to our acceptance with God, "if we ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 6 the righteousness of.htm

Righteousness.
... He means that Jesus was treated by God as if he were a sinner, our sins being imputed
to him ... treated as if we were righteous, his righteousness being imputed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/righteousness.htm

Christ, the Believer's Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and ...
... enabled to reach out the arm of faith, and pluck ... lay any thing to the charge of God's
elect? ... By having Christ's righteousness imputed to them, they are dead to ...
/.../christ the believers wisdom righteousness.htm

The Lord Our Righteousness
... Christ's imputed righteousness, justification by faith, and the ... justification in
the sight of God; but it ... a proof of our having this righteousness imputed to us ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the lord our righteousness.htm

Faith is not the Instrument of Justification.
... resolves the question, by a quotation from the book of Genesis, when he says, "Abraham
believed God, and it ... "Faith is imputed for righteousness on account ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article xxvi vi faith is.htm

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... produces holiness of life, but our being righteous before God is not ... Thus saith the
inspired apostle: "His faith was imputed to him for righteousness. ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm

Jehovah Tsidkenu: the Lord Our Righteousness
... egotistical"I know there is a comfort in the faith of Christ's imputed righteousness
which no ... in the firm conviction that he is received by God as though ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jehovah tsidkenu the lord our.htm