Truth For These Times

21. RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH

If Adam had not sinned, it would have been possible for him to form a righteous character simply by
obeying God’s law. Because he failed to obey God, he opened the way for the development of a sinful
nature, instead of a sinless human nature, and all humanity having thus descended from Adam, has
inherited the tendency toward evil. Therefore, it is an impossibility for man to make himself righteous.
Man is sinful and unholy and cannot perfectly obey God’s law. Man’s righteousness is as ‘filthy rags’.
Isaiah 64:6. Not one person can claim righteousness. Romans 3:10. However, Christ has made a way of
escape for us. Where Adam failed, Christ was victorious.

“He lived a sinless life. He died for us, and now He offers to take our sins and give us His righteousness.
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”. Steps to Christ, page 67.

1 John 4:19 WE LOVE HIM BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US.

God has made the first move. He loved us even when we were sinners; (though He hated the sin). When
we understand God’s love toward us it generates a desire to serve Him and to respond in love. Love is the
motivating principle of action which awakens in us the desire to be righteous.

It is a help in this study to understand the meaning of the following words:

RIGHTEOUSNESS – Rightness, as applied to man: a right relationship between God and man.
FAITH – Complete trust in God.
GRACE – Favour or kindness. (With sinful man it is unmerited favour).
JUSTIFICATION – The divine act (i.e. Christ’s sacrifice) by which God declares the penitent
sinner righteous. (Declared Righteousness).
SANCTIFICATION – To set apart: holiness.

There are two errors many Christians fall into, particularly those who
are new to Christianity.

1. That we are saved by our own good works.

This is in fact an absolute impossibility. It is the grace of Christ

alone, through faith, that can make us right with God.

2. That Christ releases man from obedience to His law because man We love Jesus because He first loved us.
is saved by faith alone.

It is true that we are saved by faith in Christ, but it is false to think God saves man in his sin. Sin is
breaking God’s law. 1 John 3:4. Christ came to save us from our sins, not in them. Obedience is the sign
of true discipleship. Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us
partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience. Obedience then, is the fruit of
faith.

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 Truth For these Times – Lesson 21. Righteousness By Faith

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that A MAN IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW
BUT BY FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that
we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the
works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

It is impossible for man to be right with God because of his good

works, or by keeping God’s law. The fact is, man cannot keep
God’s law in his own strength. His nature is depraved and
predisposed to evil. As man accepts Jesus Christ, his faith lays hold of
of divine power, and he becomes one with Christ. The converted
sinner is declared righteous. It is not faith that saves; it is Jesus
Christ: but faith is the medium by which we take hold of Jesus.

Romans 4:3,5 For what does the Scripture say? “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS
ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” But to him who does not
work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, HIS FAITH IS
ACCOUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS,

Abraham was not justified by his good works, but because he believed: in other words, he had faith in
God. His good works came as result of his faith. If we have faith in God, we are accounted righteous in
His sight.

Romans 4:22-25 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now it was not written
for his sake alone that it was IMPUTED to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed
to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was
DELIVERED UP BECAUSE OF OUR OFFENSES, and was RAISED BECAUSE
OF OUR JUSTIFICATION.

Abraham’s righteousness was imputed to him (i.e. credited to him). So, if we believe in Jesus, His
righteousness will be credited to us. Jesus is perfect, and because we have faith in Him, He gives us His
righteousness; thus we become righteous by faith.

Romans 5:8-10 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been JUSTIFIED BY
HIS BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when
we were enemies we WERE RECONCILED TO GOD THROUGH
THE DEATH OF HIS SON, much more, having been reconciled, we
shall be saved by His life.

We are saved from the penalty of our sins because Jesus’ blood covers
them all – we are justified by His blood. Our justification was made
possible when Jesus died and was raised again almost 2,000 years ago.
When we believe, and by faith accept our justification we are declared righteous in the sight of God. Not
our own righteousness, but His righteousness, hence we are reconciled to God. He has accepted His Son’s
sacrifice, and because we have accepted His Son, we too are accepted.

Romans 3:24-26 Being JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRACE through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, TO
DEMONSTRATE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, because in His forbearance GOD

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 Truth For these Times – Lesson 21. Righteousness By Faith

HAD PASSED OVER THE SINS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY COMMITTED,

to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the
JUSTIFIER OF THE ONE WHO HAS FAITH
IN JESUS.

Our justification is given freely by God’s favour and kindness. All sins
are accounted for. Those who believe in Jesus are justified. Accounted
righteous just as if they had never sinned.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, HAVING BEEN JUSTIFIED BY

FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD
through our Lord Jesus Christ.

A CHANGED LIFE

1 Thessalonians 4:3 FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD, YOUR SANCTIFICATION: that you should
abstain from sexual immorality.

As used in the New Testament, the words justification and sanctification are essentially equivalent terms.
To be justified has often been regarded as the result of conversion. When one accepts Christ, he is
justified in a moment. This is true, but justification does not end there. We continually need justification,
which was made available at the cross, because of the fact that we are sinners. Sin remains in us until we
are changed at the resurrection, but it will not reign in the one who trusts in Jesus. Because of Jesus’
sacrifice, the Christian is saved from the penalty of sin. Because of the indwelling Christ in the life, the
Christian is saved from the power of sin. Because of the Christian’s faithfulness unto death, he will
ultimately be saved from the presence of sin.

The New Testament writers had a lot to say about the Christian’s
sanctification or holiness of life. They show quite clearly that the way
one lives is rather important for the professed Christian. If our
justification (declared righteousness) does not lead to sanctification
(holiness of life), then the Christian is not revealing the fruit of a
genuine faith. If we are credited with Christ’s righteousness, it will be
infused in our lives, and demonstrated before those with whom we
come in contact. The important thing to remember is that we can take
no credit for either our justification, or our sanctification – it is all
Christ’s righteousness, which we have by faith alone. Our salvation is NOT a result of our holiness of
life, but of our acceptance of Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is our justification which gives salvation.
Justification is the root, and sanctification is the fruit.

Romans 6:19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you
presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to
more lawlessness, SO NOW PRESENT YOUR MEMBERS AS SLAVES OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HOLINESS.

Paul admonishes that the members (body and parts) be used for righteousness. Once they were used for
sinful purposes, but after conversion this cannot be so, they are used to glorify God.

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 Truth For these Times – Lesson 21. Righteousness By Faith

Romans 12:2 And DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, BUT BE TRANSFORMED

by the renewing of your mind, that you may
prove what is that good and acceptable and
perfect will of God.

There is a change in the way of life of a Christian. He is not worldly,

but transformed, reflecting the lovely character of Jesus.

2 Peter 3:18 But GROW IN THE GRACE and knowledge of

our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the
glory both now and forever. Amen.

The new Christian is like a baby, but as he grows in grace (i.e. the development of his Christian
character), his understanding of truth increases, he reflects more fully the presence of Jesus in his life. His
growth does not qualify him for salvation, but if he does not grow, his salvation is in danger. When one is
connected with the Saviour, there must be growth. A backslidden Christian is not lost, he can still receive
eternal life, but unless he consecrates himself fully to Jesus, he will not grow, but degenerate, and perhaps
lose his way altogether.

Philippians 3:13,14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting
those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are
ahead, I PRESS TOWARD THE GOAL for the prize of the upward call of God in
Christ Jesus.

Growing in grace is not automatic after one has accepted Jesus as his Saviour. We cannot sit back and
say, “Take over God”. Christ works through us, not independently of us. Our part is to place our will on
the side of God’s will. Then in His strength we succeed. In other
words, we are constantly maintaining our faith in Him. Jesus
advises us to “strive” to enter, and this we must do. Don’t be
mistaken, we are not victorious because we are striving to overcome
evil in our own strength, this would be righteousness by works;
rather, we are striving against our sinful human natures. We are
always confronted with the choice of following our sinful nature, or
our spiritual nature. It is a battle to choose to be on God’s side
when it goes against our carnal desires. When we consecrate
As Christians we make a determined effort with ourselves unto God and say “no” to evil, God gives us the strength
Christ’s grace to resist worldly habits.
to find victory. So many try to overcome sin by resisting it in their
own strength. They are fighting a losing battle. We need to follow
the counsel of James 4:7, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” We must
submit to God first. This is fighting the good fight of faith.

Colossians 3:1,17 IF THEN YOU WERE RAISED WITH CHRIST, SEEK THOSE THINGS
WHICH ARE ABOVE, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. And
whatever you do in WORD OR DEED, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD
JESUS, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Here is outlined what Christ has already done for us (“If then you were raised with Christ”) ‘our
justification’, with our response (“seek those things which are above”) ‘our sanctification’. The two

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 Truth For these Times – Lesson 21. Righteousness By Faith

cannot be separated: they go hand in hand. Notice carefully, we take no credit for self for anything – it is
all in the name of Jesus.

1 John 1:8 IF WE SAY THAT WE HAVE NO SIN, WE

DECEIVE OURSELVES, and the truth is not
in us.

While it is true that the sanctified Christian will become more

Christlike, and through Christ’s power in his life he will forsake sin,
it is nonetheless true that the sinful nature is still present. If he
claims to be sinless, he is in grave error. The sinful nature, even
though subdued, will remain until the second coming of Christ. The
saved Christian will then find “redemption of the body” – his sinful As God’s children we will seek more of
nature gone – but not until then. God’s Word and less of the world’s words.

John 14:16,17 And I will pray the Father, and HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER HELPER,
THAT HE MAY ABIDE WITH YOU FOREVER— the Spirit of truth, whom the
world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know
Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

Heaven has provided the best possible help for us to develop a character like the lovely character of Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is always ready and willing to guide and strengthen.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the
Lord, because God from the beginning CHOSE YOU FOR SALVATION
THROUGH SANCTIFICATION BY THE SPIRIT and belief in the truth.

Our sanctification is only made possible through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Without His pleading in
our lives we could never achieve holiness. His work is to help us attain fitness for heaven.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL

Hebrews 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I
WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR HEARTS, AND IN THEIR MINDS I
WILL WRITE THEM.

The gospel does not free man from obedience to the law of God,
rather, it frees him from the law’s condemnation. God’s law is
unchangeable, a transcript of His perfect character. The New Covenant
message is that God enables us to keep His law, because in our own
strength it is impossible. He writes His laws in our minds – they
become part of us. We are not freed from keeping them, but given the
power to obey them. Willing obedience to God’s laws is a service of
We are sanctified by the Holy Spirit. love. It is in reality the test of discipleship.

1 John 5:3: 2:4 FOR THIS IS THE LOVE OF GOD, THAT WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS.
And His commandments are not burdensome. Now by this we know that we know
Him, if we keep His commandments.

Here is the test between those who love God supremely, and those who give only lip service.

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 Truth For these Times – Lesson 21. Righteousness By Faith

Romans 3:31 DO WE THEN MAKE VOID THE LAW THROUGH FAITH? CERTAINLY
NOT! ON THE CONTRARY, WE ESTABLISH
THE LAW.

Faith and the law cannot be separated. We are not saved by faith and a
rejection of the law; we are saved by faith alone, and this faith alone,
leads us to honour or “establish” God’s law. Obedience is indeed, the
fruit of faith. “The just shall live by faith,” Romans 1:17.

James 2:20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD? Jesus wants us to demonstrate our love
for him by trusting that His grace can
help us keep His commandments.
James is speaking of the works of faith, not the works of the law as in
legalism. What he says is very clear: if we claim faith, but our fellow man sees unrighteous works, or no
works to correspond with the professed faith, then that faith is dead. If there is a genuine faith, it will be
revealed in the “fruit of faith”– good works.

1 Timothy 6:12 FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH, lay hold on eternal life, to which you
were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many
witnesses.

Because of God’s grace, and what Jesus did for you at Calvary almost 2,000 years ago, you are offered
the gift of everlasting life. If you accept this gift by faith in what Jesus did for you, you are justified. (i.e.
accepted by God, just as if you had never sinned). You now become righteous because of your faith in
Jesus. Your genuine conversion will lead to holiness of life, or sanctification.

Both your justification and your sanctification are made possible by Christ’s righteousness, not your own.
You are completely dependent upon Him, but you must co-operate with Him and choose obedience. Your
faithful Christian life will lead you to glorification. (i.e. At the second coming of Christ you will be
changed to perfection and your sinful nature taken away).

As we grow in grace, we are strengthened by diligent Bible study,

prayer, and obedience to God’s leading. These practises strengthen
the spiritual nature and give power to overcome temptation. Never
fail to consecrate your life to God first thing each day, and ask Him
to guide you. To walk without Him leads to spiritual disaster. Walk
with Him at all times, even as Enoch did many years ago. To walk
with Jesus in this life will mean walking and talking with Him in the
life to come.

If by faith we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we will triumph at last. Christ is our righteousness.

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 Review Sheet – Righteousness by Faith
Assignment: Read the Bible study carefully before answering the following questions.

1. What are two common errors Christians make?

a) That we are saved .
b) That Christ releases man from .

2. How is a man justified? Galatians 2:16

A man is not justified by .

3. How was Abraham declared righteous? Romans 4:3,5

His ,

4. By what means is justification made available? Romans 5:8-10

having now been , … we were reconciled .

5. Even though Christ has died for our sin, what type of life does God expect Christians to live? Romans 6:19
so now .

6. When the Christian, by faith, accepts what Jesus has done for him, will his life be changed? Romans 12:2
And do not be , .

7. Can a Christian sit back, make no effort in his life, and expect the prize of eternal life? Philippians 3:13,14
I press .

8. How does Colossians 3:1 describe what Christ has done for us, and our response?
If then you (this is justification) seek .

(this is sanctification).

9. Who makes our sanctification (holiness of life) possible? 2 Thessalonians 2:11

Chose you .

Note: Man cannot credit himself with his own righteousness. Only Christ’s righteousness is worthy, both in
justification and sanctification. Man’s act is to cooperate with God.

10. Is the law abolished because of faith? Romans 3:31

Do we then make void ? !

11. What is the evidence of genuine faith? James 2:20

O foolish man, that ?