Righteousness, "by faith"
The present day Adventist emphasis on these words implies that righteousness is only achieved "by faith" (imputed), but not in practice (imparted). (Compare with the 1960's "Righteousness by Faith" booklet.) We seem to have lost the importance of Christian works in our anxiety to impress the Babylonians with our understanding of "Christ our righteousness". But we need two oars to row the boat in a straight line! We need the law as well as the gospel.
Our present situation has come about because of a classic case of misunderstanding two things which are called by the same name, but which are different. We think we are teaching "Righteousness by Faith" when in fact, we are only presenting half of it!! In the Bible some things have the same name, but they apply to different items, or to the same thing at another time. The comings of Christ are good examples of this. The first coming of Christ to this earth as the child of Mary (Matthew 1:21), is clearly contrasted with His appearing as the Son of God at the second advent (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). The third advent, however, shows Him as the King of kings (Zechariah 14:4-5). All are called "comings" or "advents" but they are completely different in style. At the first He was a baby, at the second He comes without touching the earth to collect His saints and take them to heaven, and at the third His foot is placed on the Mount of Olives which splits to accommodate the city of New Jerusalem. Because the statements are not clearly identified by numbers, the Jews made the fatal mistake of confusing the first and second and thereby rejected the clear evidences of His earthly mission. Only the Holy Spirit can give the correct understanding of these apparently confusing Scriptures.
In the same way, some statements on "righteousness by faith" are different in meaning. In this case, "Christ our righteousness" covers us both for our past life and also for our present one, but one is imputed and the other imparted. One covers our past while the other is part of our present life. One covers our present ignorance while the other protects us while we are practicing walking in the light. The Place of the Bible in "Righteousness by Faith".
Our Saviour expects that His complete righteousness (which He gives as a gift at the commencement of our Christian experience) will be used in the life of the believer and in so doing become his or her own, for righteousness in Christianity is actually right-doing as John told the church. "Little children let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous". 1 John 3:7. To "Victory" This will lead to "perfection" (a dirty word in many religious circles) but one which Jesus used of His followers when He said, "Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect". Matthew 5:48. It means having a likeness to Christ, a perfect likeness, for "Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully". Early Writings page 71. We are considered "perfect" in Christ from the moment of rebirth (think about the square in the diagram below), and "perfect" each succeeding moment, except when we choose to sin by rejecting the "way out", of course! However, repentance and confession on our part, and forgiveness and cleansing on His part, soon restore the state of perfection. See 1 John 1:9. (A little quiet fun).
Then, when we reach the height of the square and walk into heaven (not being carried through in resurrection), the "perfection" has become completely ours. This is our "fitness" for translation. See EGW on this.
"Perfect" as an adjective is used 94 times in the Scriptures. In some of these it is written,
"And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be you perfect". Genesis 17:1.
"You shall be perfect with the LORD your God". Deuteronomy 18:13.
"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him". 2 Chronicles 16:9.
"Jesus said unto him, If you will be perfect, go and sell that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me". Matthew 19:21.
"The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his Master". Luke 6:40.
The Seventh-day Adventist church was raised up in 1844 to teach, among other things, the message of translation, which is the end result of perfection. How often have you heard it?
This teaching is based on the concept of the cleansing of the sanctuary on the Day of Atonement, which is still going on today, 1998, 154 years since its commencement. It is this teaching that the Protestant churches called "The unimportant and almost naive doctrine of the 'investigative judgement'." Eternity magazine, September 1956, page 6, quoted in "A Short History of the Third Angel's Message". To see the context of this quote. ...
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus".
Philippians 3:14.
A diagram of righteousness ...... (back to article)
The other times "righteousness" is used with the word "faith" are as follows:-
All the Bible texts
Romans 1:16-17
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek, for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith".
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Romans 3:22
"Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference":
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Romans 3:25-26
"Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus".
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Romans 4:5
"But to him that works not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness".
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Romans 4:9-11
"Comes this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.... 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also":
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Romans 4:13
"For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith".
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Romans 9:30
"What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith".
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Romans 10:5-8
"For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, "That the man who does those things shall live by them'. But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise [in this way], 'Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)' or, 'Who shall descend into the deep? (That is, bring up Christ again from the dead).' But what says it? The word is near you, even in your mouth, and in your heart, that is, the word of faith which we preach... ".
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Galatians 5:5
"For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith".
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Philippians 3:9
"And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"
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1 Timothy 6:11
"But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness".
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2 Timothy 2:22
"Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart".
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Hebrews 11:7
"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith".
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Hebrews 11:32-33
"And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jepthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets, who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought [worked] righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions..."
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2 Peter 1:1
"Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:"
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The phrase as used in
THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY
8T.151.002 Testimonies to the Church, Volume 8 (1904)
A Failure to Appreciate God-Given Responsibilities
"Has not God given us a work to do? Has He not bidden us go among opposing influences and convert men from error to truth? Why have not those who have so frequently gathered in the large assemblies in Battle Creek put into practice the truth that they have heard? If they had imparted the light that they have received, what a transformation of character would have been seen. For every grace imparted, God would have given grace. They have not prized as they should the work that has been done for them, or they would have gone forth into the dark places of the earth, to shed abroad the light. They would have given to the world the message of righteousness by faith, and their own light would have grown clearer and clearer; for God would have worked with them. Many have gone down into the grave in error because those who know the truth have failed to communicate the precious knowledge they have received. If the light that has shone so freely in Battle Creek had been diffused many would have been raised up to become laborers together with God."
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AA.207.002 Acts of the Apostles
"Having visited the churches in Pisidia and the neighboring region, Paul and Silas, with Timothy, pressed on into "Phrygia and the region of Galatia," where with mighty power they proclaimed the glad tidings of salvation. The Galatians were given up to the worship of idols; but, as the apostles preached to them, they rejoiced in the message that promised freedom from the thralldom of sin. Paul and his fellow workers proclaimed the doctrine of righteousness by faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ. They presented Christ as the one who, seeing the helpless condition of the fallen race, came to redeem men and women by living a life of obedience to God's law and by paying the penalty of disobedience. And in the light of the cross many who had never before known of the true God, began to comprehend the greatness of the Father's love."
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GW.161.001 Gospel Workers (1915)
Righteousness By Faith
"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 will be broken. If he can control minds so that doubt and unbelief and darkness shall compose the experience of those who claim to be the children of God, he can overcome them with temptation."
GW.161.002
"That simple faith which takes God at His word should be encouraged. God's people must have that faith which will lay hold of divine power; "for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." [EPH. 2:8.] Those who believe that God for Christ's sake has forgiven their sins, should not, through temptation, fail to press on to fight the good fight of faith. Their faith should grow stronger until their Christian life, as well as their words, shall declare, "The blood of Jesus Christ . . . cleanseth us from all sin." [1 JOHN 1:7.]"
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GW.301.001 Gospel Workers (1915)
"No one has said that we shall find perfection in any man's investigations; but this I do know, that our churches are dying for the want of teaching on the subject of righteousness by faith in Christ, and on kindred truths."
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LS.022.001 Life Sketches (1915)
Righteousness by Faith
"The following summer my parents went to the Methodist camp meeting at Buxton, Maine, taking me with them. I was fully resolved to seek the Lord in earnest there, and obtain, if possible, the pardon of my sins. There was a great longing in my heart for the Christian's hope and the peace that comes of believing."
LS.022.002
"I was much encouraged while listening to a discourse from the words, "I will go in unto the king, . . . and if I perish, I perish." Esther 4:16. In his remarks the speaker referred to those who were wavering between hope and fear, longing to be saved from their sins and receive the pardoning love of Christ, yet held in doubt and bondage by timidity and fear of failure. He counseled such ones to surrender themselves to God, and venture upon His mercy without delay. They would find a gracious Savior ready to present to them the scepter of mercy, even as Ahasuerus offered to Esther the signal of his favor. All that was required of the sinner, trembling in the presence of his Lord, was to put forth the hand of faith and touch the scepter of His grace. The touch insured pardon and peace."
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BE.1892-02-15.005 The Bible Echo
"You might say, "I will give all my goods to feed the poor, I will give my body to be burned;" but that would not better your case. Man can do nothing to merit the favor of Heaven. That which avails for the sinner is to accept gladly the sacrifice which Christ has made, and appreciate his love, laying hold of his righteousness by faith. He loves you; and when you love him because he first loved you, you will feel that every power of soul and body belongs to him. Take his free gift to you, and then give yourself freely to him; and the power of God will come upon you."
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BE.1893-03-01.008 The Bible Echo
"Then let us take each day's cares and sorrows and trials to Jesus, casting all our care upon Him; for He careth for us. Let us begin each day as if it were the last we should pass upon earth, and continuing in prayer let us live in such a way, that we may ask God at its close to bless our efforts and influence. Through connection with Christ, through acceptance of his righteousness by faith, we may work the works of God, and become labourers together with Christ. He will bestow upon us heavenly gifts that will satisfy the deepest cravings of the heart. If you come to Him as little children, pleading God's promises, making them your own, you will receive fulness of joy, and have a foretaste of eternal blessedness."
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MS.1893-04-26.004 Messenger Periodical
"Believing in Jesus as his personal Saviour, accepting of his righteousness by faith, the sinner becomes a partaker of the divine nature, and escapes the corruption that is in the world through lust. It is through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that the Christian is enabled to resist temptation and to work righteousness. Without the divine nature, without the influence of the Spirit of God, man cannot work out his own salvation; for God must work in him to will and to do of his good pleasure. Christ has said, 'Without Me ye can do nothing'."
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RH.1890-03-25.008 Review & Herald
"When Nathanael came to Jesus, Jesus exclaimed, 'Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!' Nathanael said, 'Whence knowest thou me?' Jesus answered, 'When thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee.' And Jesus will see us also in the secret places of prayer, if we seek him for light that we may know what is truth. Our brethren should be willing to investigate in a candid way every point of controversy. If a brother is teaching error, those who are in responsible positions ought to know it; and if he is teaching truth, they ought to take their stand at his side. We should all know what is being taught among us, for if it is truth, we need to know it. The Sabbath-school teacher needs to know it, and every Sabbath-school scholar ought to understand it. We are all under obligation to God to know what he sends to us. He has given directions by which we may test every doctrine,--'To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.' But if it is according to this test, do not be so full of prejudice that you cannot acknowledge a point when it is proved to you, simply because it does not agree with your ideas. Do not catch at every objection, however small, and make it as large as possible, and preserve it for future use. No one has said that we shall find perfection in any man's investigations, but this I do know, that our churches are dying for the want of teaching on the subject of righteousness by faith in Christ, and for kindred truths."
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RH.1892-10-25.004 Review & Herald
"Man does not build himself into a habitation for the Spirit, but unless there is a co-operation of man's will with God's will, the Lord can do nothing for him. The Lord is the great Master worker, and yet the human agent must co-operate with the divine worker, or the heavenly building cannot be completed. All the power is of God, and all the glory is to redound to God, and yet all the responsibility rests with the human agent; for God can do nothing without the co-operation of man. When a man believes in Jesus as his personal Saviour, and accepts of his righteousness by faith, he becomes a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust; and he escapes from corruption through the indwelling of the holy Spirit. Without divine nature, without the influence of the Spirit of God, man cannot work out his own salvation. Said Christ, 'Without me ye can do nothing.' When human effort does not combine with divine agency, how deficient is its influence; but he who is endowed with divine power can present Christ to the world as one who is able to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God through him. The angels of heaven are commissioned of the Lord God of hosts to co-operate with human agency in lifting up the standard of the gospel in every city, village, and town, both at home and in foreign lands."
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RH.1892-11-01.002 Review & Herald
"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 co-laborers with Christ. If you are willing to drift along with the current of evil, and do not co-operate with the heavenly agencies in restraining transgression in your family, and in the church, in order that everlasting righteousness may be brought in, you do not have faith. Faith works by love and purifies the soul. Through faith the holy Spirit works in the heart to create holiness therein; but this cannot be done unless the human agent will work with Christ. We can be fitted for heaven only through the work of the holy Spirit upon the heart; for we must have Christ's righteousness as our credentials if we would find access to the Father. In order that we may have the righteousness of Christ, we need daily to be transformed by the influence of the Spirit, to be a partaker of the divine nature. It is the work of the holy Spirit to elevate the taste, to sanctify the heart, to ennoble the whole man."
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ST.1892-02-22.005 Signs of the Times
"You might say, 'I'll give all my goods to feed the poor; I'll give my body to be burned,' but that would not better your case. Man can do nothing to merit the favor of heaven. That which avails for the sinner is to accept with gladness the sacrifice that Christ has made, to appreciate his love, and to lay hold of his righteousness by faith. You are to realize that he loves you, and that you love him because he first loved you. Then you will feel that every power belongs to him. You take his free gift to you, and then come to him and give yourself freely to him. Say, "I come to present myself to God in the name of Him who has died for me. I give my heart to Jesus, and I desire his blessing and his Spirit;" and the power of God will come upon you."
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ST.1896-10-22.006 Signs of the Times
"The Lord Jesus is our strength and happiness, the great storehouse from which, on every occasion, men may draw strength. As we study him, talk of him, become more and more able to behold him,--as we avail ourselves of his grace, and receive the blessings he proffers us, we have something with which to help others. Filled with gratitude, we communicate to others the blessings that have been freely given us. Thus receiving and imparting, we grow in grace; and a rich current of praise and gratitude constantly flows from our lips; the sweet spirit of Jesus kindles thanksgiving in our hearts, and our souls are uplifted with a sense of security. The unfailing, inexhaustible righteousness of Christ becomes our righteousness by faith."
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PH157.018.001
Special Testimony to Oakland & Battle Creek churches (1897)
The Work Hindered.
"God in his own good time will give the message to men whom you least expect to come from men's policy to the policy of God. These will find there is something more they should have contended for in purity and honesty and straightforward working which is of an hundred-fold more value than their criticisms of words lest the great fundamental doctrines be departed from. The doctrine of justification by faith and the righteousness by faith was opposed, and masterly efforts made through opposition and denunciation by a formal church, whose attitude was of a character to discourage integrity and faithfulness and good works. And the result is just as it was in Christ's day. Those who were blinded by the enemy would, from their standpoint, pronounce judgment against the living principles of truth as heresy, and if they dared would make the press voice their sentiments with warnings and anathemas because their own preconceived opinions were not considered supreme and without a flaw."
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Our explanation
It is "justification, by faith" which is primarily being referred to in these quotes, but there are some which speak of works.
By all of them we can see that all of Christ's righteousness is placed to our account when we first become Christians and are "justified", and therefore we are classed as "perfect in Christ" from that moment on. This is "imputed" righteousness. You might like to view the diagram near the beginning of this article and note its square again. To go to diagram.
After conversion, it is all there for us to use in actions of righteousness, when it then becomes "righteousness at work" (see 1 John 3:7 above). This is "imparted" righteousness. It is the power of Christ being used by the righteous man or woman on a daily basis as Paul wrote:-
"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God". 1 Corinthians 1:18.
and again,
"And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 However we speak wisdom among them that are perfect. Yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8 which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory". 1 Corinthians 2:4-8.
The difference between the "works" of Babylon and the "works" of Christianity is simple to see. The "works" of Babylon are in two parts. One is for the purpose of gaining justification (salvation), while the other is the myth that righteousness is ALL "by faith" and therefore requires no works at all. See EGW quotes on this point. Both are counterfeits based on original truths. Repentance, true heart repentance, is required for justification (Matthew 4:17) and we are saved without works (Romans 3:20). However, the "works" of Christianity are the result of justification which is full and free, and are necessary as evidences to those who are not Christian (Romans 2:13).
Moreover, the Babylonian teaching of rebirth is "Just open your heart and let the lord come in". This totally ignores the fact that there has to be an "exchange" of lives, for it costs all to "buy the pearl" (Matthew 13:46). We must allow Him to take our life so that He can give us His own. The sinner's depraved human nature has to be exchanged for the Saviour's sinless nature (Colossians 3:9-10). The evil character base has to be removed and replaced with a righteous one (Ephesians 4:22-24).
"There is not one in one hundred who understands for himself the Bible truth on this subject that is so necessary to our present and eternal welfare". ............. To see context of this quote. ............. For more on this see "Justification by Faith".
DA.466.004 Desire of Ages
"In the work of redemption there is no compulsion. No external force is employed. Under the influence of the Spirit of God, man is left free to choose whom he will serve. In the change that takes place when the soul surrenders to Christ, there is the highest sense of freedom. The expulsion of sin is the act of the soul itself. True, we have no power to free ourselves from Satan's control; but when we desire to be set free from sin, and in our great need cry out for a power out of and above ourselves, the powers of the soul are imbued with the divine energy of the Holy Spirit, and they obey the dictates of the will in fulfilling the will of God".
Thus it is written,
RH.1895-06-04.007 Review & Herald
"Righteousness within is testified to by righteousness without. He who is righteous within is not hard-hearted and unsympathetic, but day by day he grows into the image of Christ, going on from strength to strength. He who is being sanctified by the truth will be self-controlled, and will follow in the footsteps of Christ until grace is lost in glory. The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness for heaven."
DA.300.001 Desire of Ages
"The proud heart strives to earn salvation; but both our title to heaven and our fitness for it are found in the righteousness of Christ. The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the control of God. Then he can receive the gift that God is waiting to bestow. From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld. He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells. 'For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.' Isa. 57:15."
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"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me". Philippians 4:13.
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For more on this see also "Justification by Faith".
If you haven't already read E. J. Waggoner's thoughts on "Righteousness by Faith" then here is how to get to it. Romans 6, 7, 8.