The Gospel Wars Lesson #10 Justification & Imputation of Righteousness I. Lesson Introduction The imputation of Christ’s righteousness to we saints is part of the broader act of “Judicial or Forensic Justification” before the face of God. God in a judicial act of grace declares those who have been born again to be righteous based on the accomplished righteousness of Jesus, the Messiah, the God man who lived entirely without sin, fully obedient to the Law of God in all ways. This righteousness of Christ is imputed to His saints. “A right understanding of justification is absolutely crucial to the whole Christian faith. Once Martin Luther realized the truth of justification by faith alone, he became a Christian and overflowed with the new-found joy of the gospel. The primary issue in the Protestant Reformation was a dispute with the Roman Catholic Church over justification.” Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology; p. 722. II. Definitions Forensic: “A term that means ‘having to do with legal proceedings.’ This term is used to describe justification as being a legal declaration by God that in itself does not change our internal nature or character.” . Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology, p. 1242 Imputation: “To think of as belonging to someone, and therefore to cause it to belong to that person. God ‘thinks of’ Adam’s sin as belonging to us, and it therefore belongs to us, and in justification He thinks of Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us and so relates to us on this basis.” Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology, p. 1245 There are 3 distinct, but related concepts of imputation mentioned in Scripture. The are: 1st When Adam sinned, we all as his seed were born guilty before God because Adam’s sin which was imputed to all of his offspring. Note: Additionally, we were also born with a sin nature of our own. 2nd When Christ died on the cross, our sin was imputed to Him and He paid the penalty for that sin for us. He was not actually guilty, but it was a judicial assignment of guilt by the Father for His elect. Note: This is not a lie by God, (as claimed in section V. 2. Below) but a judicial decision made by the Creator of all in His role as the righteous judge making righteous judgments. 3rd Christ’s righteousness during his life on earth as a man, imputed to His elect. Christ’s righteousness was valid in that He was tempted in all ways as we are, and yet was found to be entirely obedient to His Father’s moral code, will, and purpose. Heb 4:14-16 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Judicial Act: A declaration of a legal standing by a judge in a court of law. In this case, God declares His saints to be righteous because of the imputed righteousness of Christ Jesus sharing His absolute and perfect righteousness with His saints. Justification: “An instantaneous legal act of God in which He (1) thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us, and (2) declares us to be righteous in His sight.” Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology, p. 1246 III. Scriptural Basis (Unless Otherwise Noted, all Scripture is from the 1995 New American Standard – Updated edition.) Relevant Scriptural Passage Doctrinal Point All Passages are from the NASU edition unless otherwise indicated. Addressed Rom 3:19-20 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under We cannot be justified the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable by living up to the requirements of the Law of God. Lesson #10 - Justification & Imputation of Righteousness Ray Weedon Page 1 of 3 The Gospel Wars Lesson #10 Justification & Imputation of Righteousness to God; 20because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. Rom 3:21-26 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has The righteousness of God is not evident been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even from man’s obedience, but rather from Christ’s obedience. the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23for all have sinned and fall short of Our justification in this life is a forensic the glory of God, 24being justified as a gift by His grace through the gift from God, not an achievement to be redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25whom God displayed publicly as gloried in. a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His Christ’s blood sacrificial atonement righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the satisfied God’s holy wrath against our sins previously committed; 26for the demonstration, I say, of His sin. righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the We are justified by faith in Christ’s justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. atoning work on the cruel cross. Rom 4:1-8 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the Abraham was not justified flesh, has found? 2For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to by his good works. 3 boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM His faith was credited to him 4 BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." Now to as though he were righteous. 5 the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to If works were required, that the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith would not be grace. is credited as righteousness, 6just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man David likewise was credited to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 with righteousness by God’s "BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE LAWLESS DEEDS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN, AND sovereign declaration WHOSE SINS HAVE BEEN COVERED.” 8 "BLESSED IS THE MAN WHOSE SIN THE LORD WILL NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT." Rom 5:15-21 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression Adam’s transgression. of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the All of God’s saints are 16 grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The gift is not like that redeemed by the imputation which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose of their sin to Jesus the from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free Christ. 17 gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. For if by the This theme of redemption transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who compared to the fall of man receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life in Adam is repeated 6 times 18 through the One, Jesus Christ. So then as through one transgression there with differing emphasis. resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there This must be very resulted justification of life to all men. 19For as through the one man's important to God’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the plan! One the many will be made righteous. 20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 8:28-34 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to Ordo salutis – Latin for The those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29For those Order of Salvation. whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His 1st God Foreknew nd Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30and these whom He 2 God Predestined 3rd God Conformed predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and th 31 4 God Effectually Called these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these th 32 5 God Justified things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, 6th God Glorified but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who We are kept because of God’s sovereign choosing Lesson #10 - Justification & Imputation of Righteousness Ray Weedon Page 2 of 3 The Gospel Wars Lesson #10 Justification & Imputation of Righteousness justifies; 34who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather of us and because of who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.