Imputed Righteousness

[Van]

Time and again, differing posters make or seem to make this claim, we, those saved, became righteous because God imputed or declared or credited as as righteous.

I believe this view is absolutely bogus.

Let us consider this view from scripture.

Romans 4:6 NASB
just as David also speaks of the blessing of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

Here many apparently believe this verse say God causes a person to be righteous by crediting or imputing or declaring the person righteous.
But contextually, since the previous verse says God credits a person's faith as righteous, the same idea is probably in view. In other words blessings upon the person whose faith God credits as righteousness.

Philippians 3:9 says that if we are found spiritually "in Him," but we, not having a righteousness of our own derived from the Law, but having a righteousness that is through Jesus Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of credited faith. Thus we are made righteous, not by imputation or being credited as being righteous, but by the washing of regeneration, the circumcision of Christ.

Summary, If God decides to credit our faith as righteousness to us, that does not make us righteous, but based on crediting our faith as righteousness, God then transfers us spiritually into Christ where we undergo the washing of regeneration which makes us righteous.

Last point, we become the righteousness of God only when we are "in Him."

 

[KenH]

All of the sins of God's elect were imputed to Christ and He paid their total sin debt; Christ's perfect righteousness was imputed to God's elect.

Romans 4:6-8
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying,
Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin;
that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

(emphasis mine)

 

[Charlie24]

All of the sins of God's elect were imputed to Christ and He paid their total sin debt; Christ's perfect righteousness was imputed to God's elect.

Romans 4:6-8
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying,
Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

2 Corinthians 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin;
that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

(emphasis mine)

Yes, Paul repeats imputing righteousness in Rom. 4:22.

But there is a condition for imputing righteousness that Paul points out.

Rom. 4:23-24

"Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;"

 

[KenH]

But there is a condition for imputing righteousness that Paul points out.

No condition, but a result of the regeneration of God's elect by the Holy Spirit under the hearing of the gospel of the finished work of Christ.

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

(emphasis mine)

 

[Charlie24]

No condition, but a result of the regeneration of God's elect by the Holy Spirit under the hearing of the gospel of the finished work of Christ.

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

(emphasis mine)

The word "IF" in vs 24 makes it a condition.

 

[KenH]

The word "IF" in vs 24 makes it a condition.

Nope. All of the conditions for the salvation of God's elect were fulfilled and accomplished by Christ, and Christ alone. Man's contributes nothing, absolutely nothing, to his salvation; he doesn't start it, he doesn't continue it, he doesn't finish it.

Romans 8:23-25

"Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; (24) But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25) Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.

The Apostle makes a very blessed conclusion of this Chapter, by taking into the account, the whole Church; and telling the people, that the occasion of this record, was not so much to aggrandize the great father of the faithful, as it was to encourage all his followers in faith, to imitate his example. Paul elsewhere very blessedly saith, in confirmation of the same truth, that they which are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham, Galatians 3:9 . And, beyond all doubt, notwithstanding all that is said of this venerable Patriarch, in commendation of his faith; (and too much cannot be said) the humblest and poorest believer is equally interested in all the blessings of Christ, in right of redemption. And for this plain reason. All is God's gift, not man's worth. The Patriarch had no more faith than what was given him. Hence all he had he owed to the Lord, And all the Lord's children do the same. Christ is the alone object of faith, the Author and Finisher of faith. And by Him all that believe, whether strong in faith, or weak in faith, are justified from all things, Acts 8:39 .

I said in the former part of this Chapter, that we should find occasion in the close of it, to make observation of the righteousness itself by which Abraham was justified, that it might be placed in a clear point of view, and upon its proper basis. And it will be proper to notice it here. Much is said in this Chapter, and in other parts of Scripture, of Abraham's faith, and that it was imputed to him for righteousness. But perhaps it is not so generally understood, as the Importance of the subject requires, what was imputed to Abraham for righteousness. Not his faith surely; for, had this been the case, Abraham's faith would have had the merit of works, even the work of faith. And this would have been to have given glory to the creature. A thing in itself impossible. And indeed faith, which is the gift of God, and not of a man's own creating, hath but one office, namely, to receive what is offered to faith, and this given freely of God to his people. It cannot therefore be the faith of Abraham that became his righteousness by imputation. And, moreover, the Apostle saith in those verses, that it shall be imputed to us also, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. What shall be imputed to us? Not Abraham's faith surely. And yet this must be the sense of the words, if Abraham's faith, and not the great object of that faith, be the thing intended by the expression. Very evident then therefore it is, that Christ all along, and his justifying righteousness, is what is spoken of as imputed to Abraham, and that the Patriarch was considered as righteous before God, in the perfect righteousness of God his Savior; and the faith of Abraham was looking wholly to Christ as his justification, and this became the sole means of his acceptance with God, while the ardency of his faith, and belief in it, gave him a great blessedness of enjoyment.

If I detain the Reader a moment longer over these verses, it shall only be to observe the sweetness of what is said in the close of the chapter, that Christ was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Reader! I cannot implore a greater mercy, both for myself and you, than that the blessedness of this scripture may be a living principle of constant joy and peace in our hearts from the power of the Holy Ghost. There is no guilt left upon the conscience when delivered from the curse of the law of Christ on the cross, acting as our Surety and Representative. And there can be no condemnation to his people where sin is done away, in that Christ arose from the dead for our justification. For where righteousness in Christ is imputed to his people, sin can no more be charged upon the conscience. So that both in the death and resurrection of Jesus, the safety of the Lord's people is secure. There can be no separation from Christ, and consequently no interruption to a perpetual justification in him. He hath wrought out, and brought in, an everlasting righteousness, which is unto all and upon all that believe. Hence, as the Apostle elsewhere blessedly concludes, there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, Romans 8:1 ."

- Robert Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary on Romans 8:23-25

(emphasis mine)

 

[Charlie24]

Nope. All of the conditions for the salvation of God's elect were fulfilled and accomplished by Christ, and Christ alone. Man's contributes nothing, absolutely nothing, to his salvation; he doesn't start it, he doesn't continue it, he doesn't finish it.

Romans 8:23-25

"Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; (24) But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; (25) Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.

The Apostle makes a very blessed conclusion of this Chapter, by taking into the account, the whole Church; and telling the people, that the occasion of this record, was not so much to aggrandize the great father of the faithful, as it was to encourage all his followers in faith, to imitate his example. Paul elsewhere very blessedly saith, in confirmation of the same truth, that they which are of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham, Galatians 3:9 . And, beyond all doubt, notwithstanding all that is said of this venerable Patriarch, in commendation of his faith; (and too much cannot be said) the humblest and poorest believer is equally interested in all the blessings of Christ, in right of redemption. And for this plain reason. All is God's gift, not man's worth. The Patriarch had no more faith than what was given him. Hence all he had he owed to the Lord, And all the Lord's children do the same. Christ is the alone object of faith, the Author and Finisher of faith. And by Him all that believe, whether strong in faith, or weak in faith, are justified from all things, Acts 8:39 .

I said in the former part of this Chapter, that we should find occasion in the close of it, to make observation of the righteousness itself by which Abraham was justified, that it might be placed in a clear point of view, and upon its proper basis. And it will be proper to notice it here. Much is said in this Chapter, and in other parts of Scripture, of Abraham's faith, and that it was imputed to him for righteousness. But perhaps it is not so generally understood, as the Importance of the subject requires, what was imputed to Abraham for righteousness. Not his faith surely; for, had this been the case, Abraham's faith would have had the merit of works, even the work of faith. And this would have been to have given glory to the creature. A thing in itself impossible. And indeed faith, which is the gift of God, and not of a man's own creating, hath but one office, namely, to receive what is offered to faith, and this given freely of God to his people. It cannot therefore be the faith of Abraham that became his righteousness by imputation. And, moreover, the Apostle saith in those verses, that it shall be imputed to us also, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead. What shall be imputed to us ? Not Abraham's faith surely. And yet this must be the sense of the words, if Abraham's faith, and not the great object of that faith, be the thing intended by the expression. Very evident then therefore it is, that Christ all along, and his justifying righteousness, is what is spoken of as imputed to Abraham, and that the Patriarch was considered as righteous before God, in the perfect righteousness of God his Savior; and the faith of Abraham was looking wholly to Christ as his justification, and this became the sole means of his acceptance with God, while the ardency of his faith, and belief in it, gave him a great blessedness of enjoyment.

If I detain the Reader a moment longer over these verses, it shall only be to observe the sweetness of what is said in the close of the chapter, that Christ was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Reader! I cannot implore a greater mercy, both for myself and you, than that the blessedness of this scripture may be a living principle of constant joy and peace in our hearts from the power of the Holy Ghost. There is no guilt left upon the conscience when delivered from the curse of the law of Christ on the cross, acting as our Surety and Representative. And there can be no condemnation to his people where sin is done away, in that Christ arose from the dead for our justification. For where righteousness in Christ is imputed to his people, sin can no more be charged upon the conscience. So that both in the death and resurrection of Jesus, the safety of the Lord's people is secure. There can be no separation from Christ, and consequently no interruption to a perpetual justification in him. He hath wrought out, and brought in, an everlasting righteousness, which is unto all and upon all that believe. Hence, as the Apostle elsewhere blessedly concludes, there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, Romans 8:1 ."

- Robert Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary on Romans 8:23-25

(emphasis mine)

That's a prime example of the Calvinist Dictionary at work!

It can't be what it says, it's got to be what those dead men say.

 

[Silverhair]

No condition, but a result of the regeneration of God's elect by the Holy Spirit under the hearing of the gospel of the finished work of Christ.

Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

(emphasis mine)

So according to your view one only has to hear the gospel message to be saved they do not have to believe it.

 

[KenH]

So according to your view one only has to hear the gospel message to be saved they do not have to believe it.

All of God's elect, chosen by Him before the world began, at some point during their earthly sojourn, will come under the hearing of the gospel of Christ, be regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and granted the gift of faith in Christ's finished work on their behalf and the gift of repentance from dead works.

 

[Silverhair]

All of God's elect, chosen by Him before the world began, at some point during their earthly sojourn, will come under the hearing of the gospel of Christ, be regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and granted the gift of faith in Christ's finished work on their behalf and the gift of repentance from dead works.

Well that clears that up, you started with a wrong theory and that just leads to more wrong theories.

Putting the cart before the horse has never worked out to well @KenH but I see that you still keep trying to do so.

 

[Charlie24]

All of God's elect, chosen by Him before the world began, at some point during their earthly sojourn, will come under the hearing of the gospel of Christ, be regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and granted the gift of faith in Christ's finished work on their behalf and the gift of repentance from dead works.

How does that work? Does God make them a cheerful receiver of Christ whether they want to or not?

 

[KenH]

It can't be what it says, it's got to be what those dead men say.

It's what the Bible teaches. I don't how much fallen man thinks that he can pull himself up by the bootstraps of his own faith (his faith in his faith), or by the bootstraps of his own works (his faith in his works).

Away with fig leaf coverings. Such failed for Adam, and such still fails today.

Man CANNOT contribute one iota to his salvation. Fallen man can't start his faith, he can't keep his faith going, he can't finish his faith.

Salvation, everything involved in it, IS ALL OF God!!!! Away with the fleshly idea of human merit or human contribution!!!!

Salvation can be by only one of two methods - Free Grace or Free Will. And Free Will ain't it.

 

[KenH]

How does that work? Does God make them a cheerful receiver of Christ whether they want to or not?

Psalm 110:3
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power,
In the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning:
Thou hast the dew of thy youth.

 

[Charlie24]

It's what the Bible teaches. I don't how much fallen man thinks that he can pull himself up by the bootstraps of his own faith (his faith in his faith), or by the bootstraps of his own works (his faith in his works).

Away with fig leaf coverings. Such failed for Adam, and such still fails today.

Man CANNOT contribute one iota to his salvation. Fallen man can't start his faith, he can't keep his faith going, he can't finish his faith.

Salvation, everything involved in it, IS ALL OF God!!!! Away with the fleshly idea of human merit or human contribution!!!!

Salvation can be by only one of two methods - Free Grace or Free Will. And Free Will ain't it.

According to your theory God is the cause of Adam falling into sin and thereby causing the whole world to fall in sin.

He could have chosen to elect (so you say) Adam to salvation, but He chose to pass him by and left all of us in a world of sin.

 

[Charlie24]

Psalm 110:3
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power,
In the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning:
Thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Thou understandeth not thou Scripture.

 

[KenH]

According to your theory God is the cause of Adam falling into sin and thereby causing the whole world to fall in sin.

God planned salvation for His elect before He created Adam. Surely you don't think that God's sending of His Son was an afterthought.

He could have chosen to elect (so you say) Adam to salvation, but He chose to pass him by

I think there is Biblical reason to understand that Adam, and Eve, were of God's elect and saved.

The covering of the coat of skin in Genesis 3:21 is a type of the covering of the righteousness of Christ.

Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

 

[Charlie24]

God planned salvation for His elect before He created Adam. Surely you don't think that God's sending of His Son was an afterthought.

View attachment 13055



I think there is Biblical reason to understand that Adam, and Eve, were of God's elect and saved.

The covering of the coat of skin in Genesis 3:21 is a type of the covering of the righteousness of Christ.

Isaiah 61:10
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

There's something sick about that, seriously!

Christ is the Second Adam, Christ must die BECAUSE Adam fell.

Christ came to undo what Adam did to mankind.

If not, all of humanity would have no hope.

 

[KenH]

Christ is the Second Adam, Christ must die BECAUSE Adam fell.

The Potter controls the clay, the clay does not control the Potter and force Him to respond to it.

Your idea seems to be that God was forced by Adam's sin to start wringing His hands and wondering, "Oh, what can I do to fix this? What can I do? Can I even fix it at all?"

You seem to think that Adam's fall caused God to start scrambling around trying to figure out what to do.

I see no other conclusion because of your statement "Christ must die BECAUSE Adam fell."

 

[Charlie24]

The Potter controls the clay, the clay does not control the Potter and force Him to respond to it.

Your idea seems to be that God was forced by Adam's sin to start wringing His hands and wondering, "Oh, what can I do to fix this? What can I do? Can I even fix it at all?"

You seem to think that Adam's fall caused God to start scrambling around trying to figure out what to do.

I see no other conclusion because of your statement "Christ must die BECAUSE Adam fell."

It all goes back to God-given free will.

God knew Adam would fall before the foundation of the world.

So He devised a plan so that when Adam fell with his free will, He would provide a Redeemer to save man that would believe and love Him.

The alternative to the Calvinist robots!

 

[KenH]

So He devised a plan

Which goes right back to you thinking that the clay, the creature, can make God, the Potter, the Creator, respond to it. You went right back to that same line of thinking that God was forced by Adam's alleged "free will" to come up with some alternative plan to what He, the Creator, had originally planned.

Mark me, Charlie, and mark me well - if I have to depend on some alleged "free will" that you think that I have, then I will be lost forever, as there is absolutely no way that I can have perfect faith, or perfectly love God, or perfectly love my neighbor; I cannot perform a perfect righteousness that would be acceptable to God, which is what having an alleged "free will" would require. I must have all of my sins imputed to Christ and Him paying my total sin debt, or I will be lost forever. I must have Christ's perfect righteousness imputed to me, or I will be lost forever.

But I will not be lost forever. Why? Because of Christ and Christ alone. PERIOD!

2 Timothy 1:12 I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

And what have I committed to Him? My WHOLE salvation. NONE of my salvation is committed to me to perform. It is all Christ! PERIOD!!!