Imputed Righteousness by Faith
by Ellen White
They cannot understand how our sins can be removed by the Substitute, and Christ's
righteousness imputed to sinners deserving of wrath. The mind faints in its effort to
define it, to comprehend it. But has not God said it? Has He not plainly stated in His
Word that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ does expiate human guilt? [Rom. 3:24-26 quoted.]
[282.9] Is not this a true declaration of God? We must take it as such.... [283.0] We can
see it no better and can do no better than to believe God is true. He says it and it must
be so. Take the gracious gift in the promises of God, believe all the Scripture tells us,
although you cannot explain it and no one can explain it to you. Herein is faith put to
the stretch. Christ died for the ungodly [Rom. 5:6].... [283.4] Souls [at Chicago, April
89] are depending on the promises of the gracious power of Jesus Christ to combine with
human effort. They move by faith, not by feeling. Such efforts God owns [acknowledges].
1888 280FF (4-7-89)
The religious services, the prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin ascend
from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary, but passing through the corrupt
channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can never be
of value with God. They ascend not in spotless purity, and unless the Intercessor, who is
at God's right hand, presents and purifies all by His righteousness, it is not acceptable
to God. All incense from earthly tabernacles must be moist with the cleansing drops of the
blood of Christ. He holds before the Father the censer of His own merits, in which there
is no taint of earthly corruption. He gathers into this censer the prayers, the praise,
and the confessions of His people, and with these He puts His own spotless righteousness.
Then, perfumed with the merits of Christ's propitiation, the incense comes up before God
wholly and entirely acceptable. Then gracious answers are returned.
Oh, that all may see that everything in obedience, in penitence, in praise and
thanksgiving, must be placed upon the glowing fire of the righteousness of Christ. The
fragrance of this righteousness ascends like a cloud around the mercy seat. 1SM 344
In order to meet the requirements of the law, our faith must grasp the righteousness of
Christ, accepting it as our righteousness. Through union with Christ, through acceptance
of His righteousness by faith, we may be qualified to work the works of God, to be
colaborers with Christ. 1SM 374
Abundant grace has been provided that the believing soul may be kept free from sin; for
all heaven, with its limitless resources, has been placed at out command. We are to draw
from the well of salvation, Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who
believeth. In ourselves we are sinners; but in Christ we are righteous. Having made us
righteous through the imputed righteousness of Christ, God pronounces us just, and treats
us as just. He looks upon us as His dear children. Christ works against the power of sin,
and where sin abounded, grace much more abounds. 1SM 394
After we have done all that we are capable of doing, we are then to say, `We have done
no more than our duty, and at best are unprofitable servants, unworthy of the smallest
favour from God. Christ must be our righteousness, and the crown of our rejoicing'. 3T 526
Through the merits of Christ, through His righteousness, which by faith is imputed unto
us, we are to attain to the perfection of Christian character. Our daily and hourly work
is set forth in the words of the apostle: "Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher
of our faith." While doing this our minds become clearer and our faith stronger, and
our hope is confirmed; we are so engrossed with the view of His purity and loveliness, and
the sacrifice He has made to bring us into agreement with God, that we have no disposition
to speak of doubts and discouragements.
The manifestation of God's love, His mercy and His goodness, and the work of the Holy
Spirit upon the heart to enlighten and renew it, place us, through faith, in so close
connection with Christ that, having a clear conception of His character, we are able to
discern the masterly deceptions of Satan. Looking unto Jesus and trusting in His merits we
appropriate the blessings of light, of peace, of joy in the Holy Ghost. And in view of the
great things which Christ has done for us, we are ready to exclaim: "Behold, what
manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of
God."
Brethren and sisters, it is by beholding that we become changed. By dwelling upon the
love of God and our Saviour, by contemplating the perfection of the divine character and
claiming the righteousness of Christ as ours by faith, we are to be transformed into the
same image. Then let us not gather together all the unpleasant pictures--the iniquities
and corruptions and disappointments, the evidences of Satan's power--to hang in the halls
of our memory, to talk over and mourn over until our souls are filled with discouragement.
A discouraged soul is a body of darkness, not only failing himself to receive the light of
God, but shutting it away from others. Satan loves to see the effect of the pictures of
his triumphs, making human beings faithless and disheartened. 5T 744F
Every true Christian will be strong, not in the strength and merit of his good works,
but in the righteousness of Christ, which through faith is imputed unto him. 7BC 907
The point which has been urged upon my mind for years is the imputed righteousness of
Christ. I have wondered that this matter was not made the subject of discourses in our
churches throughout the land, when the matter has been kept constantly urged upon me, and
I have made it the subject of nearly every discourse and talk that I have given to the
people. FW 18 (MS 36 1890)
The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not because of any merit
on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious thought. The enemy of God and man
is not willing that this truth should be clearly presented; for he knows that if the
people receive it fully, his power is broken. GW 161
Those who have united their interests in love with Christ are accepted in the Beloved.
They suffered with Christ in His deepest humiliation, and His glorification is of great
interest to them, because they are accepted in Him. God love them as He loves His Son.
Christ, Emmanuel, stands between God and the believer, revealing the glory of God to His
chosen ones, and covering their defects and transgressings with the garments of his own
spotless righteousness.
"The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in them that hope in his
mercy." Ps. 147:11. But it is only through the value of the sacrifice made for us
that we are of value in the Lord's sight. It is because of the imputed righteousness of
Christ that we are accounted precious by God. For Christ's sake He pardons them that fear
Him. He does not see in them the vileness of the sinner; He recognises in them the
likeness of His Son, in whom they believe. In this way only can God take pleasure in any
of us. "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name." John 1:12.
The more perfectly the Lord sees the character of His beloved Son revealed in His
people, the greater is His satisfaction and delight in them. OHC 53
What is righteousness?--It is the satisfaction that Christ gave the divine law in our
behalf. RH AUG.21,1894 (7MR 319)
God will hear the prayer of the contrite heart; he says he will, and what better
assurance can you desire than the word of God? Your weakness and sinfulness are all known
to him. While you cannot rejoice over this, you may rejoice that Jesus is your
righteousness. Your very weakness may make manifest his grace and power; for your
conscious weakness drives you to him who is willing and mighty to help when you lay hold
upon him by prevailing prayer.
[430a.7] Put away sin; bruise Satan under your feet. Leave your weakness behind you,
and, strong in the grace of Christ, press on to victory. RH MAY 27,1884
Righteousness is obedience to the law. The law demands righteousness, and this the
sinner owes to the law; but he is incapable of rendering it. The only way in which he can
attain to righteousness is through faith. By faith he can bring to God the merits of
Christ, and the Lord places the obedience of His Son to the sinner's account. Christ's
righteousness is accepted in place of man's failure, and God receives, pardons, justifies,
and loves him as He loves His son. This is how faith is accounted righteousness. RH
NOV.4,1890 (FW 101)
But that which God required of Adam in paradise before the fall, He requires in this
age of the world from those who would follow Him,-- perfect obedience to His law. But
righteousness without blemish can be obtained only through the imputed righteousness of
Christ. Through the provision that God has made for the forgiveness and restoration of
sinners, the same requirements may be fulfilled by men to-day that were given to Adam in
Eden. RH SEP.3,1901
The condition of eternal life is now just what it always has been - just what it was in
Paradise before the fall of our first parents, -perfect obedience to the law of God,
perfect righteousness. [62.7] If you give yourself to Him, and accept Him as your Saviour,
then, sinful as your life may have been, for His sake you are accounted righteous.
Christ's character stands in place of your character, and you are accepted before God just
as if you had not sinned. SC 62
Knowing himself to be a sinner, a transgressor of the holy law of God, he (the sinner)
looks to the perfect obedience of Christ, to His death upon Calvary for the sins of the
world; and he has the assurance that he is justified by faith in the merit and sacrifice
of Christ. He realises that the law was obeyed in his behalf by the Son of God, and that
the penalty of transgression cannot fall upon the believing sinner. The active obedience
of Christ clothes the believing sinner with the righteousness that meets the demands of
the law. SD 240
The resolutions you make in your own finite strength, will be only as ropes of sand;
but if you pray in sincerity, surrendering yourself, soul body, and spirit, unto God, you
put on the whole armour of God, and open the soul to the righteousness of Christ; and this
alone, -Christ's imputed righteousness, -makes you able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. SD 346
Through His imputed righteousness they are accepted of God as those who are manifesting
to the world that they acknowledge allegiance to God, keeping all His commandments. TM 37
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