Imputed Righteousness

Of all the studies in the Bible, the subject that is the cornerstone of salvation is the subject called Imputed Righteousness. Failing to understand this subject brings upon us a death sentence; comprehending it imparts fullness of joy, plus eternal life.

This is one of my favourite studies and I wish to share it with you. In this study, I will enable you to travel with me retrospectively to the time of Christ. One night Christ was relaxing like usual by the brook Cedron, in the garden of Gethsemane. He was the poorest of earth with no place to lay his head. He strived to meditate and called upon His Father.

But that day as Christ is seated upon a stone in the late evening, there arrives one of the highest men in Israel. This man has been bestowed many honours and is beloved by the religious circle, as one of the leading priests, and a prominent layman. This man belongs to the Sanhedrin council, composed of a semi-circle with 35 members on the right and 35 members on the left and the high priest, having absolute power. This council had the right to sentence any person found guilty to life imprisonment. Now stands in front of Christ one of the 71, dressed in the rich display of his power, curious to meet the poorest man on earth but timid and afraid to seek Him publicly. He follows Him where nobody could see him and report him to his colleagues.

Nicodemus approaches Christ and starts a conversation. Seeing this man to be no ordinary man because of the power He displays in every miracle He performs, with honour and due respect, he addresses Him. “Rabbi, we know that Thou art a teacher come from God, for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest; except God be with Him.” Even though highly educated and having a degree as a Doctor of Theology he didn’t comprehend that he was in the very presence of his Creator. But Jesus loved this poor soul and being honest in his correction, He opened to him the very essence of truth. “Truly, truly I say unto thee, except a man be bom again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Confused, Nicodemus replies, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time unto his mother’s womb and be born again?”

Christ opened to Nicodemus his lost condition. He didn’t admire his riches or his politeness but warns him of his spiritual state—he must be born again. Shaken by this statement he leaves the presence of Christ, not
as one who has rejected His counsel but rather perplexed about how he can be born again. What does this mean, to be born again?

The apostles who were so near to Christ also didn’t comprehend what it takes to be born again. Just 21 hours before His death His disciples were seeking to be self-exalted, like Satan. “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.” Luke 22:23,24.
Today, many, which are not bom again are making the same fatal error, When the disciples repented of their sinful nature, they wrote about this bom-again experience, recorded in 1 John. It states in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Our part is to confess and His part is to cleanse us and impart His grace. It is a two-way road. We do our part, and the Lord will do His part.

It continues in chapter 1 John 3:4-9. “Whosoever committem sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is bom of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

When Christ spoke about this new birth the disciples didn’t understand, but when the Spirit of God illuminated the chambers of their minds they perfectly understood this experience. “He that is born of God, he cannot sin.” He comes to a sinless state. Of all the miracles Christ performed, to make us sinless is the greatest miracle He performs in the human soul. This is one of the mysteries of God. But this is also a reality. For this reason He descended from heaven, to make us sinless.

If we say to the Christians in this world that they must be sinless, they will laugh. They will say that it is impossible; they will call us dreamers. In Matthew this truth is confirmed. “And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins.” Matt. 1:21. “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:12, 13,29.

When the Adventist message gained momentum, when it started to become popular in America, then the Lord sent them the only message which could save them from the guilt of sin. When this message was presented in 1888, Sister White wrote about this experience of the church. In Review & Herald, Sept. 3, 1889, “There is not one in one hundred who understands for himself the Bible truth on this subject (justification by faith) that is so necessary to present and eternal welfare.” When the message was presented the church membership was 25,841. According to her divine inspiration less than 258 people understood the message of justification by faith.

Up until 1888, the General Conference in session was the voice of God on earth, but not any more. The lamentation of the Spirit of God, quotes Sis. White, was the same as the lamentation of Jeremiah. “The Spirit of God is departing from many among His people. Many have entered into dark secret paths, and some will never return. They will continue to stumble to their ruin. They have tempted God, they have rejected light.” TM, p. 90 (1895).

The same thing is happening still today. The Spirit of God is departing from many. Then Sis. White writes about the church’s dark course, because many have sinned against the Holy Spirit. “And thou, Capernaum (Seventh-Day Adventists who have had great light), which art exalted unto heaven (in the point of privilege), shall be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.” Matt 11:23.24. R & H, Aug. 1, 1893. It was five years after that she wrote this terrible rebuke. With this statement we know that the majority rejected the message.

Then Sis. White continued, showing the work of ministers and the General Conference. “They began this satanic work at Minneapolis. Afterward, when they saw and felt the demonstration of the Holy Sprit testifying that the message was of God, they hated it the more, because it was a testimony against them. They would not humble their hearts to repent, to give God the glory, and vindicate the right. They went on in their own spirit, filled with envy, jealousy, and evil surmisings, as did the Jews. They opened their hearts to tbe enemy of God and man. Yet these men have been holding positions of trust, and have been molding the work after their own similitude, as far as they possibly could. TM p. 80.

We need to clarify some important points in the above testimony. First who are they who began this satanic work? Isn’t it the ministers and the leaders of the General Conference? When the Reformation came, none of them joined with the remnant. This again the Spirit of Prophecy confirms. Spirit of Prophesy research, p. 3, quoted by Will Ross, Boulder, CO, 1908. “Sis. White told us that a terrible storm of persecution was coming, like a windstorm, that would blow down every standing object Not a Seventh-Day Adventist was to be seen. They like the disciples all forsook Christ and fled. All who had sought positions were never seen any more.

After the storm there was a calm. Then Seventh-Day Adventists arose like a flock of sheep, but without shepherds. They united in earnest prayer to God, who answered by helping them choose leaders of their number who had never sought positions.” Christ let go the 70, but when Peter confirmed their alliance to Christ, even among the twelve He said, one is a devil. Sis. White wrote that these men have been holding positions of trust, and have been molding the work after their own similitude. God had chosen these men to be His precious servants. From 1888 onward they were organizing the church and holding high positions, but they were like the old Israel. The High Priest and his Sanhedrin were all ministers of demons. What a startling statement. History is repeating itself.

Sister White writes, why did God send the message of justification by faith, Christ’s righteousness message? “The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to his people… This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented justification through faith in the surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ. Which is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. They had lost sight of Jesus. They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His mind and His changeless love for the human family. All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto man, importing the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world.” TM, p. 91, 92. According to this statement, this is the gospel of Christ, which can transform us to perfection.

The world and the church are in enmity. “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God, we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isa. 25:9. Why only few understand this truth? “Jesus answered and said, * I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth because thou hadst hid these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father it seems good in thine sight.” God has only revealed it to those who are humble. In the Bible, who are wise and prudent? “And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even this publican. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14.

And Christ says, “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon me and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Christ said, for I am meek and lowly. When you look at the Pharisee, he was very proud. He didn’t have a humble spirit; he was exalting himself. The Spirit of Christ is completely different, meek and lowly in heart. The difference was as night and day. The Pharisee became very wise and prudent in himself and thought he was perfect and ready for translation like Elijah. But he was so spiritually blind that there was no cure for him. But if you look at the Pharisee he is a perfect Christian, he had every credential to be a member in the church of God. He gave tithes, he was going every Sabbath to church, and he was saying long prayers and he was fasting. He seemed to be the perfect Christian that the world admires. But in the sight of God he was miserable, wretched, naked and blind. The Publican was a very unjust person. He was a terrible person according to the church’s standard. But what did the publican do? He saw his terrible condition and he sought help from God and the power was provided for him. Paul was like this Pharisee one time. “For I was alive without the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.” Rom. 7:9. “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.” “O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Rom. 7:21, 24. The letter of the law made him satisfied but when the spirit of the law was revealed, he saw his sinfulness and he cried, “Who can deliver me?”

The same was with the great reformer Martin Luther. When he was a Catholic priest he had a problem with sin. To eliminate this sin he went down to the basement and beat himself, but his sin always remained in him. Until he found the answer in the Bible, “The just shall live by faith.” If we are like the Pharisee, who felt no need and therefore he received not God’s mercy, which is freely given. The flesh must die that the spirit may live. When we are lowest He will reach down and raise us through His grace. Not by payments of alms or performing good works like the Pharisee but through faith alone. We must become like the Publican confessing our sins. Confession will not be acceptable to God without sincere repentance and reformation.

There must be decided changes in the life. Everything offensive to God must be put away. This will be the result of genuine sorrow for sin. Many accept an intellectual religion, a form of godliness, while the heart is not cleansed. What you need to understand is the true force of His will. This is the governing power in the nature of man—the power of decision or choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will. The power of choice God has given to man, and is theirs to exercise. Recent studies in genetic research say that every time we make a decision and follow it, that decision is registered in the DNA, and is transmitted to our next generation. “You cannot change your heart, you cannot of yourself give to God its affections, but you can choose to serve Him. You can give Him your will. He will then work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure.” SC, p. 47.

I will relate to you a story, which took place when I was only five years old. My father decided to go on a long journey. He was packing his suitcase and was ready to leave. I was the only one with him. My brothers and sisters all had gone to school. Since I was the baby, I stayed at home. I was his favourite, like Jacob and his son, Joseph. I loved my father very much and before he left, he asked me a question. He asked me, “Do you love me?” I said, “Yes, Daddy,” and gave him many kisses. But he turned and looked at me and said, “Son if you love me, carry this suitcase

for me.” I tried but I couldn’t. It was too heavy. I smiled at him, thinking everything was OK. But he insisted again. Now I became very sad and 1 told him that I loved him, but I could not fulfill his request. Feeling so small and saddened, I tried again but I failed. I couldn’t even move it because it was too heavy. But suddenly something flashed in my mind. I was always smart when I was a child. So I pulled my father’s hand and I put my other hand on the handle and we pulled the suitcase together. I brought the suitcase to the destination he required. I jumped for joy and I said, “I did it, 1 did it”. He gave me a kiss and said, “sure, you did it”. I was so happy. I couldn’t sleep that night. The same thing applies in our lives when our heavenly Father asks us to keep the law, it is impossible. Even in his holy state Adam failed. God knows our weakness. That is why he is asking us to “come unto Me for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.’1 Like Paul or in the story of myself, when we try in our own strength we can only proclaim, “who can deliver me?” Then when he found help, Paul writes, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.”

If we try to keep the law in our own strength, we would become self-righteous like the Pharisee. That is why it is stated, “it is the work of God in laying the glory of man in the dust, and doing for man that which it is not in his power to do for himself.” The Faith I Live By, p. 111. The mysteries of the kingdom of heaven are like a merchantman seeking the goodly pearls. For one pearl, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. It is the same when we find Christ’s righteousness. We give up everything; we only seek for the priceless pearl, which is a free gift of God.

Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hid in a field, which a man finds he hideth it again and for joy goeth and selleth all he has and buys the field. What did the disciples do? Didn’t they give up everything that they possessed? What did Peter say? “We have given up everything and followed thee.” All these parables point to the one subj ect—Christ’s righteousness. Now how can this righteousness be given to us? We cannot buy it, neither can we earn it, “even the righteousness of God which is by faith is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference.” Rom. 3:22. “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness have attained to righteousness even the righteousness which is of faith.” Rom. 9:30. The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy confirm that in the miracles that Christ performed, all of His recipients were healed because they believed in His power to heal. “In like manner you are a sinner. You cannot atone for your past sins; you cannot change your heart and make yourself holy. But God promises to do all this for you through Christ. You believe that promise. You confess your sins and give yourself to God. You will serve Him. Just as surely as you do this, God will fulfill His word to you. If you believe the promise-believe that you are forgiven and cleansed—God supplies the fact; you are made whole, just as Christ gave the paralytic power to walk when the man believed that he was healed. It is so if you believe it. Do not wait to feel that you are made whole, but say, “I believe it, it is so, not because I feel it, but because God has promised.” SC, p. 51. Jesus says, “What things soever ye desire, when you pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24. None are so sinful that they cannot find strength, purity and righteousness in Jesus, who died for them. He is waiting to strip them of their garments stained and polluted with sin, and put upon them the white robes of righteousness; He bids them live and not die.” SC, p. 53.

To end, I would like to tell you a story. One day the famous minister, Moody was preaching to a packed audience. There may have been a thousand people gathered. In the congregation were doctors, professors, laymen, farmers, all kinds of people including the poor and the wretched. When he started his sermon, he was wearing a very expensive watch, given to him by one of his friends. The watch was a gold Rolex, costing more than $40,000. Since he was very meek he didn’t want to keep it to himself so he showed his watch to the thousand, which were gathered there, and he said, “anybody who wants this watch, they can come and pick it up.” He said this a 2nd, and a 3rd time, but nobody came. So he paused and continued his sermon. One child who was 10 years old went to the pulpit and he gave it to him. Everybody was amazed. When the sermon was over, when he was greeting the public, the people said that they didn’t believe that he was going to give this watch away for free.

It is the same thing when God is offering salvation free. Very few believe. “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 19:14. Of those 1,000 people only one child believed. Likewise if we don’t become like this little child and believe in God we will never make it. When you read this article don’t wait-believe, and receive the heavenly gift. This is my wish and prayer.
AMEN.