Imputed Righteousness - The Cross of Christ

When we came to Christ and accept what He accomplished on the Cross of Calvary for us, we were imputed His Righteousness. In Christ… Romans 6:3-4 (recommend you read the whole chapter) states:

Or are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 We have therefore been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory and power of the Father, we too might walk habitually in newness of life [abandoning our old ways].

In what Jesus has accomplished, for those who would believe, is everything we will ever need in life. We have been given Salvation, redemption, reconciliation, The Word of God and His righteousness. Now when God sees us, He no longer sees a sinful person, but the Righteousness of He who was slain – The Lamb of God. To be able to walk in the righteousness daily, we must have our Faith in the very thing that afforded us that righteousness. It was at the Cross that Jesus’ righteousness was imputed (assigned, attribute or accredit) to us. We did nothing to achieve this wonderful gift of righteousness. It was a gift of God’s great love for all of us that He gave His only Son for us – sinful man. He who knew no sin became sin for all of us. All are predestined (Ephesians 1:4-5, Romans 8:29-30) to become a “Whosoever”; God determined in advance that all of mankind should be saved. He gave His Son, Jesus, for everyone. So, every man, woman and child have an opportunity, a choice, to become such, but so many have made the choice to reject their predestination in Christ Jesus.

When we become Believers in that which was accomplished for us on the Cross, we are joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). We are seated in Him in Heavenly Places (Ephesians 2:6). Our total identification is with and in Christ only – wrapped in His Righteous. When people see us, they should see Jesus. This is what I pray, but far too often I fall short of looking like my Savior. Oh, the Grace (God’s Goodness to undeserving mankind) of my loving God. We believed that God loves us so much that He gave His only Son to die on the Cross for us. We became “Whosoevers” that believed this and will not perish in our sins (John 3:16); for He has taken our sins upon Himself, we are dead to sin and live unto righteousness (2 Peter 2:24) that He afforded us via the Cross. We will have everlasting life with Him forever!

As Believers, we must understand that everything we will need in this life is in Him, Christ our Lord. We must stop looking to other things, people (including ourselves), institution of worship, money, power, knowledge and anything else for that which we need and desire in this life. The Word of God tells us in Colossians 3:1-8 (I recommend you read whole chapter):

Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. 3 For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

5 So put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body [with its sensual, self-centered instincts] immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is [a kind of] idolatry [because it replaces your devotion to God]. 6 Because of these [sinful] things the [divine] wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience [those who fail to listen and who routinely and obstinately disregard God’s precepts], 7 and in these [sinful things] you also once walked, when you were habitually living in them [without the knowledge of Christ]. 8 But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth.

We have our hearts and minds – our focus – too much on the things of this world and not enough on Jesus! We look to other things for our Salvation and to make us “holy”. Our Sanctification is found in the great Finished Work of the Cross. Satan has deceived us into thinking if we attend church that we’re good with God. He has made us think that if we are baptized and take communion that we are holy and saved. Yes, God wants us to do these things, but when we look to those things as the answer to our Salvation; or rather, we think “our doing” these things bring Salvation and holiness, we have made them idols. We mistakenly look to religious activities to make us holy or secure our Salvation. We are not to worship idols and have no other God in our lives. When we look to other things, no matter what or who they may be, we made them idols (gods) in our lives.

Our Sanctification is found in the finished work of the Cross, not in what we do. When our Faith rests in anything other than Christ and Him crucified, it is misplaced. What brought us into the Kingdom of God? What was it that allowed us to be resurrected into to newness of life? It was the Cross of Christ—nothing else. Had the Cross not happened there would be no reason to be raised into newness of life. The foundation of Salvation, Justification and Sanctification is the Cross! And not the wooden beam, but rather what was accomplished there for you and me.

When we hold fast to the confession of our Faith, we overcome through believing that Jesus is the Son of God. As Revelation 3 declares, those who overcome will sit with Christ on His throne, just as He overcame and sat down with the Father.

Revelation 3:20-22 states:

20 Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me. 21 He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

We will be seated in Him on His throne. Many want to go to heaven, yet few are willing to place their Faith fully in what God has already done. Everything we receive from God—Salvation, Justification, and Sanctification—comes through the Cross and is received by Faith. That Faith must always have the proper object: Jesus Christ and Him crucified.