What does the imputed righteousness of Christ mean?

Many Christians know about it, but few know what it refers to - Biblically.

Oct 20, 2022

Imputed righteousness works like this.

When we (as being unsaved) first realized that remaining "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1) was no longer an option - we then:

CONFESSED our sins (Mark 1:5)
REPENTED from repeating them ever again (Luke 13:1-5)
ASKED FOR FORGIVENESS from God (and maybe others sinned against) for our sins (Acts 5:31; Matthew 9:2).

Doing this meant that we were now cleansed from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS and that the record of our sins written in Heaven were now blotted out.

"REPENT YE THEREFORE, and BE CONVERTED, THAT YOUR SINS MAY BE BLOTTED OUT, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." (Acts 3:19)

"IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS (to God in a non-hypocritical way), HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS, and to CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS." (1 John 1:9)

It is at this point God regards us as being "sinless" (i.e. an OVERCOMER OF SATAN’S TEMPTATIONS) - so He can then IMPUTE TO US His righteousness because we are now LIKE HIM and His Son Jesus Christ. We are now considered "sons and daughters of God" (2 Corinthians 6:18)

"Even as David also describeth the BLESSEDNESS OF THE MAN, UNTO WHOM GOD IMPUTETH RIGHTEOUSNESS without works" (Romans 4:6)

However, God allows Satan to continue tempting and testing those who undergo the above process to determine if they have learned about the 'evil' associated with their sin, and whether they have learned to OVERCOME Satan's temptations to NOT recommit that same sinful act(s) again.

This is why GRACE (that withholds the punishment due for the sins committed) has been given to Christians - because each Christian has to become an OVERCOMER of Satan's temptations - just as Christ was tempted by him and He OVERCAME Satan's temptations (Rev 3:21):

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that OVERCOMETH [Satan's temptations and thereby PROVES that he or she is a 'son of God']:
- will I give to EAT OF THE TREE OF LIFE, which is in the midst of the paradise of God (Rev 2:7)
- shall NOT BE HURT OF THE SECOND DEATH (Rev 2:11)
- will I give to EAT OF THE HIDDEN MANNA, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written (Rev 2:17)
- and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give POWER [or rulership] OVER THE NATIONS (Rev 2:26)
- will I make A PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD...(Rev 3:12)
- WILL I GRANT TO SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE, EVEN AS I ALSO OVERCAME, AND AM SET DOWN WITH MY FATHER IN HIS THRONE." (Rev 3:21)

Obviously, it is Satan's plan to prevent Christians from obtaining the above promises by encouraging them to remain "dead in trespasses and sins" - whether it is their old sins or their new sins.

If Christians prefer to REJECT "HOLINESS' (that closely associates with SINLESSNESS - meaning, living free from sin - Romans 6:18) this means they have NO SALVATION.

This is because they have chosen to reject the IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS given to them at Salvation (listed above) by continuing to remain spiritually "dead in trespasses and sins" by preferring the "wages of sin" (Romans 6:23) rather than the rewards of faithfulness (Luke 19:17).

"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH [in the words of God]. 18 For THE WRATH OF GOD IS REVEALED FROM HEAVEN AGAINST ALL UNGODLINESS [sinning] AND UNRIGHTEOUSNESS OF [Christian] MEN [and women], WHO HOLD THE TRUTH [of what the scriptures plainly say] IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them." (Romans 1:17-19)

If you liked this article please consider indicating as such below, plus:

Has Your Pastor Been Telling You Lies?

Discussion about this post