The Bible doctrine of the imputation of righteousness is one of the most comforting doctrines found in the Word of God. Sadly, it is also a doctrine that has been twisted to mean something that it does not. Most denominational preachers teach that when a person believes in Christ, our Lord’s personal righteousness is imputed to him. R.C. Sproul, a favorite preacher of those wedded to Calvinism, put it like this:

“When Paul develops the doctrine of justification by faith alone, he is saying that when God counts somebody righteous on the basis of faith, it is not because He looks at them and sees that they are inherently righteous. Rather, they have been clothed by the imputation, or transfer, of the righteousness of Christ to that person by faith.”

This is the typical teaching concerning the imputation of righteousness among Protestant churches. The problem is there is no scriptural evidence for it. It is a case of one false doctrine leading to another. It is all a part of the systematic teaching of Calvinism that teaches that our sins are imputed to Christ, and His righteousness is imputed to us. In reality, the Bible does not teach either one of these false doctrines. So’ then, what does it mean to have righteousness imputed to us? Let us read a verse that refers to it.

Romans 4:20–22 (KJV)
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

The word “imputed” comes from the Greek word logizomai and means, “to reckon, count, or put down to one’s account” (Analytical Lexicon of New Testament Greek). The word “righteousness” is dikaiosynē and means, “the character or quality of being right or just” (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words).

So, to have righteousness imputed is simply to be made right or just in the eyes of God. It is a forensic term that carries the idea of being acquitted or declared not guilty. When one obeys the gospel, his sins are forgiven, washed away by the blood of Christ, and he now appears before God as if he has never sinned. It is this state of sinlessness that is imputed or put on our account when we obey the gospel. What a wonderful blessing it is as sinners to have our sins covered in this way. That this is what is meant by Paul when he wrote of the imputation of righteousness is made abundantly clear when he quoted David.

Romans 4:6 (ESV)
6 Just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

Now let us allow David to tell us what he means by this.

Romans 4:7–8 (ESV)
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

Simple, isn’t it? No mention by Paul of the personal righteousness of Christ being imputed. Why then did that ever become a doctrine? I will tell you in tomorrow night’s blog.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.