Imparted Righteousness is not Works-Righteousness

Humble Disciple · Aug 3, 2021

While works-righteousness is by human works, apart from God's grace, imparted righteousness is the result of God's grace.

Preachers and theologians from various Protestant traditions (not only Wesleyan) use the term "imparted righteousness" to identify the righteous principle imparted by God to believers when He regenerates them. Believers thereby become "partakers of the divine nature" (cf. 2 Peter 1:4). It is this principle of righteousness imparted to men in regeneration which is ever in conflict with the old Adamic nature. Protestants, however, maintain the distinction between the "imputed righteousness" of Christ which is the basis for justification and the "imparted righteousness" which is the basis for subsequent sanctification.

It is somewhat problematic for some Christians (notably Calvinists) to call the doctrine "imparted righteousness," for that which is imparted is a righteous principle into man's nature, not righteousness per se. Care must be taken in using the term imparted righteousness because it is sometimes confused with and sometimes intentionally used to refer to the Roman Catholic doctrine of infused righteousness, which in Catholicism is the basis for justification.
Imparted righteousness - Wikipedia
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Jesus said that, if you love Him, you will keep His commandments (John 14:15), that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:20) and Hebrews 12:14 says that, without holiness, no one will see the Lord.

Without God's free gift of sanctifying grace through faith, this righteousness wouldn't be possible.

Whether one likes Wesleyanism or Finneyism or not, they are closer on the doctrine of imparted righteousness to what the Anabaptists, the historical forerunners of the Baptist faith, actually taught than what "easy-believism" today teaches.

Anabaptist cleric David Griffin writes:[45]

For early Anabaptists, sola fide muted the call to imitate Christ by excusing anti-Christian behavior generally, and justifying violence towards fellow Christians in particular. True fide, it was argued, takes Christ both as savior and example. That is, faith is directed not just to the soteriological work of Christ's death, but also towards his exemplary human life. Faith accepts that because Christ's earthly life pleased God, it is normative for proper human experience. Consequently, early Anabaptism expected an affirmative answer to two basic questions: 1) "Do you believe that Christ bore your sins?" and 2) "Do you believe that Jesus' human life, which pleased God, should be copied?"[45]
Justification (theology) - Wikipedia
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I've also read the 1689 London Baptist Confession several times, which has a lot to say about sanctification being the evidence of God's election and regeneration.

1. They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, are also farther sanctified, really and personally, through the same virtue, by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of all true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. ( Acts 20:32; Romans 6:5, 6; John 17:17; Ephesians 3:16-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23; Romans 6:14; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 1:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14 )

2. This sanctification is throughout the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 7:18, 23; Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11 )

3. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in His Word hath prescribed them. ( Romans 7:23; Romans 6:14; Ephesians 4:15, 16; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 7:1 )
https://www.arbca.com/1689-chapter13
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Believers are justified in Christ and His perfect law-keeping is imputed to their account. Evangelical law-keeping is then the portion of their growth in righteousness (imparted righteousness).
https://heraldofgrace.org/the-london-baptist-confession-of-faith-exposition-of-chapter-19/
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Van · Aug 3, 2021

Imparted Righteousness is a fiction, a false doctrine not found in scripture. Scripture says we are made righteous when we are placed into Christ spiritually. Full Stop.

Humble Disciple · Aug 3, 2021

Van said: ↑

Imparted Righteousness is a fiction, a false doctrine not found in scripture. Scripture says we are made righteous when we are placed into Christ spiritually. Full Stop.
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That's funny, given how many verses of scripture state that God provides the enabling grace for our sanctification. What do you think imparted righteousness means?

Believers are justified in Christ and His perfect law-keeping is imputed to their account. Evangelical law-keeping is then the portion of their growth in righteousness (imparted righteousness).
The London Baptist Confession of Faith | Exposition of Chapter 19
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1. They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, are also farther sanctified, really and personally, through the same virtue, by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of all true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. ( Acts 20:32; Romans 6:5, 6; John 17:17; Ephesians 3:16-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-23; Romans 6:14; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 1:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14 )

2. This sanctification is throughout the whole man, yet imperfect in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 7:18, 23; Galatians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11 )

3. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in His Word hath prescribed them. ( Romans 7:23; Romans 6:14; Ephesians 4:15, 16; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 7:1 )
1689 Baptist Confession Chapter 13
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Van · Aug 3, 2021

Once again, the house of cards is cited, for there is not one verse that says imparted righteousness, nor one that says enabling grace for our sanctification.

God alone puts individuals into Christ Spiritually. 1 Corinthians 1:30
Once "in Him" we are made righteous. Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Humble Disciple · Aug 3, 2021

Van said: ↑

Once again, the house of cards is cited, for there is not one verse that says imparted righteousness, nor one that says enabling grace for our sanctification.
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Sanctification is a three-stage process – past, present, and future. The first stage occurs at the beginning of our Christian lives. It is an initial moral change, a break from the power and love of sin. It is the point at which believers can count themselves “dead to sin but alive to God” (Romans 6:11). Once sanctification has begun, we are no longer under sin’s dominion (Romans 6:14). There is a reorientation of desires, and we develop a love of righteousness. Paul calls it “slavery to righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18).

The second stage of sanctification requires a lifetime to complete. As we grow in grace, we are gradually – but steadily – changing to be more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18). This occurs in a process of daily spiritual renewal (Colossians 3:10). The apostle Paul himself was being sanctified even as he ministered to others. Paul claimed that he had not reached perfection, but that he “pressed on” to attain everything Christ desired for him (Philippians 3:12).

The third and final stage of sanctification occurs in the future. When believers die, their spirits go to be with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Since nothing unclean can enter heaven (Revelation 21:27), we must be made perfect at that point. The sanctification of the whole person—body, soul, and spirit—will finally be complete when the Lord Jesus returns and we receive glorified bodies (Philippians 3:21; 1 Corinthians 15:35-49).

God’s work in sanctification involves all three members of the Trinity. God the Father is constantly at work in His children “to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). He changes our desires, making us want to please Him, and He empowers us to do so. Jesus earned our sanctification on the cross and, in essence, has become our sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30) and the “perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). The Holy Spirit is the primary agent of our sanctification (1 Corinthians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2), and He is the one who produces in us the fruit of sanctification (Galatians 5:22-23).

Our role in sanctification is both passive and active. Passively, we are to trust God to sanctify us, presenting our bodies to God (Romans 6:13; 12:1) and yielding to the Holy Spirit. “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified” (1 Thessalonians 4:3), and God will have His way.

Actively, we are responsible to choose to do what is right. “Each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable” (1 Thessalonians 4:4). This involves putting to death the “misdeeds of the body” (Romans 8:13), striving for holiness (Hebrews 12:14), fleeing immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18), cleansing ourselves from every defilement (2 Corinthians 7:1), and making every effort to supplement our faith (2 Peter 1:5-11).
What is progressive sanctification? | GotQuestions.org
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Van · Aug 3, 2021

Humble Disciple said: ↑

Imparted Righteousness
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What was the purpose of the post. Obfuscation?
There is not one verse that says imparted righteousness,

God alone puts individuals into Christ Spiritually. 1 Corinthians 1:30
Once "in Him" we are made righteous. Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Yeshua1 · Aug 3, 2021

Humble Disciple said: ↑

While works-righteousness is by human works, apart from God's grace, imparted righteousness is the result of God's grace.

Jesus said that, if you love Him, you will keep His commandments (John 14:15), that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:20) and Hebrews 12:14 says that, without holiness, no one will see the Lord.

Without God's free gift of sanctifying grace through faith, this righteousness wouldn't be possible.

Whether one likes Wesleyanism or Finneyism or not, they are closer on the doctrine of imparted righteousness to what the Anabaptists, the historical forerunners of the Baptist faith, actually taught than what "easy-believism" today teaches.

I've also read the 1689 London Baptist Confession several times, which has a lot to say about sanctification being the evidence of God's election and regeneration.
Click to expand...

So now going on the road to Roman Theology?

Humble Disciple · Aug 4, 2021

The dichotomy between synergism and monergism is a modern invention, not found in the Bible.

While justification is indeed monergistic, sanctification is synergistic.

It's deceptive when Calvinists quote John Wesley and Charles Finney out of context, when speaking of sanctification, to paint them as Pelagian on justification.

Bearing False Witness is a Sin, A Warning of God's Judgment

Who is the real Charles Finney?

Imparted Righteousness is not Works-Righteousness

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