What is "Imputed" Righteousness?

The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed by God. It is the reason He is not willing that any should perish; otherwise, your "title" to heaven. As a sinner, we could never be happy in God's presence; and would shrink from the companionship of holy beings. Heaven would seem a place of torture; we would long to be hidden from Him who is its light, and the center of its joy. There is no arbitrary decree on the part of God that excludes the wicked from heaven; you are shut out by your own unfitness for its companionship. The glory of God is a consuming fire. We would welcome destruction, that we might be hidden from the face of Him who died to redeem us.

It is impossible for us to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change it. "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one." Unless you shall receive a new heart, new desires, purposes, and motives, leading to a new life, "you cannot see the kingdom of God." John 14:4; John 3:3. Except ye be converted, and humble yourself as a little child, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3-4. The Christian's life is not a modification or improvement of your old habits, but a transformation of your entire nature. You have died to self, this world, and sin, and are to live a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of God's Holy Spirit.

There are many who fail to understand the true nature of this death. Repentance includes sorrow for your sin and never returning to it again. You may sorrow that you have sinned and even make an outward reformation because you fear that your wrongdoing will bring suffering upon you (Judgement). But this is not repentance. You lament the suffering rather than the sin. Sorrow for sin involves no effort to palliate your guilt; no desire to escape your judgement. Psalm 51 illustrates true sorrow for sin. David saw the enormity of his transgression against God by Uriah; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. Not for pardon only, but purity of heart he prayed. He longed for the joy of holiness--to be restored to harmony and communion with God. A repentance such as this, is beyond the reach of our own power to accomplish; it is obtained only from our heavenly Father in Jesus Christ. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. Acts 5:31-32.

"He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy." Proverbs 28:13. The Bible does not teach that you must first repent (forsake sin) before you can come to Jesus Christ. It is true that repentance does precede forgiveness; however, repentance must never be an obstacle to first come to Jesus Christ. You can no more repent without the Spirit of Jesus Christ to first awaken your conscience than you can be pardoned without Jesus Christ. Nor does the Bible teach that you must do some grievous thing in order that you may have the forgiveness of sin. You need not make some long and wearisome pilgrimage, or perform painful penances to commend or atone your soul to our Father for your transgression; only he that first confesses and then forsakes his sin shall have mercy. There is help for us only in God. You must not wait for stronger persuasions, for better opportunities, or for a holier temper. You can do nothing of yourself! You must come to Jesus Christ just as you are right now. More than anything, never excuse yourself by saying of others, "I am as good as they are." Do not make the faults of others an excuse for your own neglect of duty. Jesus Christ has not given you an erring human pattern.

Many are asking, "What must I do to be saved?" You desire to give yourself to Him, but you are weak in moral power, in slavery to doubt, and controlled by the habits of your life of sin. Your promises and resolutions are like ropes of sand. You cannot control your thoughts, your impulses, your affections. The knowledge of your broken promises and forfeited pledges weakens your confidence in your own sincerity, and causes you to feel that God cannot accept you; but you need not despair. What you need to understand is the true force of your willpower. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on your choice. 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. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." Ezekiel 36:26-27.

Peace with God is what you need—Heaven's forgiveness and peace and love in your soul. Your money can't buy it, your intellect can't procure it, your wisdom cannot attain to it; you can never hope, by your own efforts, to secure it. But God offers it to you as a free gift, "without money and without price." Isaiah 55:1. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of Jesus Christ shall be saved. Romans 10:9-13.

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7.