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Dear bro. Turner:
 When
a man is justified does this mean he is righteous? Please
discuss the Bible use of “righteousness.” DA
Reply:
Paul
says the “unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom” (1 Cor.
6:9-) then adds, “but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified,
but ye were justified. . .“ I would have to conclude that in
being washed, sanctified, and justified one is also made
righteous.
Read
W.E. Vine on “righteousness.” It may refer to an attribute
of God; to the sum total of the requirements of God; or to the
man whose life conforms to the will of God. (1 Jn. 3:7 seems to
present all three uses.) Vine repudiates the “imputation”
idea we are hearing from some brethren. He says, “Righteousness
is not said to be imputed to the believer save in the sense that
faith is imputed (‘reckoned’ is the better word) for
righteousness. It is clear that in Rom. 4:6, 11, ‘righteousness
reckoned’ must be understood in the light of context, ‘faith
reckoned for righteousness,’ vv. 3,5,9,22. ‘For’ in these
places is eis, which does not mean ‘instead of,’ but‘ with
a view to.’”
Righteousness
(formerly spelled ‘rightwiseness’) may refer to the
condition of men (Heb. 11:4, 1 Pet. 3:12;, 2 Pet. 2:8) without
implying they were absolutely perfect. “Righteousness” was
reckoned unto Phinehas on the basis of something he did (Psm.
106:31). Abraham’s obedience made perfect his faith (Jas.
2:22-23), “and the Scriptures were fulfilled which saith,
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Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for
righteousness.” We must not assume that “righteous” can
refer only to the perfect life of Christ, nor become more
particular in application than was the Holy Spirit.
Nor
is righteousness a fixed state, once consummated, forever so to
be. We come into Christ by an obedient faith (Gal. 3:26-27); but
our righteousness “in Christ” may lm lost, and regained, as
we fail to “continue in his goodness” or “abide not still
in unbelief” (Ron. 11:19-23). This is not to say each
individual sin brings about such a change, but we do accept Paul’s
“on the tree, off the tree” description.
Our
righteousness is made possible by Christ’s “one act of
righteousness” — His death on the cross (Rom. 5:18), whereby
man may be forgiven of sins (Rom. 4:6-8). Continued
righteousness is also dependent upon Christ, who “ever liveth
to make intercession” for the faithful (Heb. 7:25). (I.E.,
continued righteousness is also made possible through
forgiveness.) Christ is the means of righteousness;
forgiveness is the operation and an obedient faith is the
condition.
The
continual cleansing that is essential to continued righteousness
is available to all who “walk in the light” “confessing
our sins” (1 Jn 1:7-10; 2:1-6). The present, active,
construction in these passages (see Greek grammar) indicates
continuity — such “walking” and “confessing” is a
manner of life; a humble, dependent attitude that ever looks to
Christ for forgiveness. It is in this way that Christ is to us
righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
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