IMPARTED
RIGHTEOUSNESS
II Peter 1:3-4
Just as the fallen,
unrighteous nature of Adam was imparted to all men by natural birth, the holy,
righteous nature of Christ is imparted to all God's elect in the new birth. The
righteousness of Christ is imputed to us for justification. And the
righteousness of Christ is imparted to us in regeneration, by the irresistible
power and effectual grace of God the Holy Spirit (I Pet. 3:10-12; I John
3:7-9).
I am not saying that the
believer is without sin! He is not. Sin is what we are by nature. Sin is mixed
with all we do. Sin mars our best thoughts, blackens our best deeds, corrupts
our best words, and defiles our best aspirations.
I am not saying that the old
nature is changed in regeneration; It is not. Flesh is always flesh. It never
improves. It never becomes spirit. It only corrupts, rots and, thank God, in
time dies.
I am not saying that the
believer's works can ever be accepted before God upon their own merit! They are
not. We offer up our prayers and sacrifices to God, which are accepted by him,
only upon the merits of Christ's righteousness and blood atonement (I Pet.
2:5).
But I am saying that the
person who is born of God is a new creature in Christ (II Cor. 5:17). He has a
new nature, which is Christ in him the hope of glory. All who are born of God
walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-23). We love the law and truth of God. We love
holiness. But, oh, the evil of our hearts!
There is a constant warfare
within! (See Rom. 7:14-25). All who are born of God mind the things of God
(Rom. 8:5). This is imparted righteousness. Believers love Christ and one
another. They identify themselves with Christ, his gospel and his church. Believers
are men and women of honesty and integrity. They live honestly, pay their bills
and speak the truth, Believers hate their sin and long to be free of it. They
are generous, kind and merciful. In a word, all who are born of God are
committed to Christ, sold out to him. And they will continue in the faith,
clinging to Christ alone unto the end.
Those who do not have this
imparted righteousness are no more born of God than those who do not have
Christ's imputed righteousness are justified before God.
Grace Baptist Church of Danville- Grace For Today Radio Message #595
2734 Old Stanford
Road - Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438
Donald S. Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 606-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net