The Righteousness of Faith

Romans 4:13-25; (Text) Romans 4:25 Jesus was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Introduction

The "Faith Connections:" There is a clear connection between faith and obedience, (Romans 1:5; 1:25-27) ; Paul speaks of "the obedience of faith." But there is also another powerful connection to this mysterious gift of God we call "faith." And that is the connection of faith to righteousness.

Over and over again, in Romans and all the New Testament, there is this connection of "faith" and "righteousness." We know that God is holy and righteous altogether. We know that we must in some way be counted as holy and righteous if we are ever to approach God, and have to do with Him.

What is "the righteousness of faith" as applied to you and me?

I. IT IS REAL RIGHTEOUSNESS.

  1. (Yes, I know that) GOD ALONE IS ABSOLUTELY HOLY; (and I believe with all my heart that) all righteousness is His. No one can be absolutely holy except God; and by the same token, no one can be perfectly righteous in all actions and attitude except God. Our righteousness must be at least in some great measure be IMPUTED to us: "credited!" "Abraham BELIEVED...it was counted/imputed/credited!"
  2. But here are the facts. When people come to faith in Jesus Christ, and that faith is genuine, GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS CHANGES OUR VERY BEING AND OUR ACTION:

    People's lives change.

    If "faith" is something merely "mental" or an acceptance of "truth," then there is a shallow, mental, passing "conversion." But if faith responds to Christ's invitation to "Come in!" and the living God enters the life, ALL HEAVEN IS LET LOOSE IN CHANGING LIFE'S DIRECTIONS!

    Directions are radically altered.

    If a person continues in the same life goals and directions after coming to "faith," it is a pretty certain sign that this is not the saving faith Paul is writing about. Sometimes these "directions" may be entirely internal. Some people don't have any OUTWARD life to "clean up." But goals, and purposes and loves and values change when faith brings the righteousness of God into the center of our being. C. The POWER of sin to control the life is broken!

    Perhaps this is the most incontrovertible proof. There may be struggle at times with habits and physical addictions. [Illus. Mr. Nichols, of Pittsburgh, saved in Kuhlman crusade, spent several days resisting hellish temptation before he was finally delivered from alcoholism.]

    This doesn't mean Christians cannot sin; it does not mean that they live lives of perfection in action. But Christians are set free from the ENSLAVEMENT of sin! "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? GOD FORBID!" [And yet ... this freedom, power, liberty is not self-generated! It is not merely a matter of "reform;" it is the RELEASED RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST WITHIN!]

II. IT IS CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS.

  1. Credit. "Reckon" yourselves as dead to sin! "Standing before God!" We (Arminians) don't usually like to hear about "standing." We believe in "state." And there are both standing and state.

    Paul talks a lot about "IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS", or "credit." He says that Abraham BELIEVED and (immediately) he got credit for being righteous. (see Genesis 15:6)

  2. 'Standing' changes 'state': If we say "credit" and live the same old way it is false faith. Standing immediately begins to affect change in state! Sanctification begins when we are justified! And that is good Wesleyan-Arminian truth!
  3. We Become Like What We Worship! It is a "law"! (For example, in Psalm 115, verses 1-7 describe the absolute impotence of "idols." Then (verse 8) it says: "Those who make them will become like them, Everyone who trusts in them!" [Yuppies beware!]

III. RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH IS MANIFESTED BY PEACE, AND BY JOY.

  1. Two great "HIGHS!" It seems to me there are two "peaks" that Paul hits as he tells us of this great salvation, by faith, unto obedience, and bringing God's righteousness. The highest peak is Romans 8, where we read of LIFE IN THE SPIRIT.

    But a genuine rejoicing point is Romans 5, where we read of the peace and joy of being JUSTIFIED! Enjoying this righteousness which is by faith! [5:1-11 — as far as I dare to go here:]

  2. LOOK AT THESE GREAT "SOURCES OF JOY:" (How "standing" changes "state!")
    1. PEACE WITH GOD
    2. ACCESS BY FAITH TO GRACE WHEREIN WE STAND
    3. INCREASING CONFIDENCE (ALWAYS BY FAITH, HOWEVER)
    4. WONDER IN THE CROSS (verse 8!)
    5. (verse 11) THE JOY OF PRESENCE, GOD HIMSELF!

Conclusion

We are "saved by FAITH!" That certainly is true!

But remember, FAITH is always connected with OBEDIENCE! If you want to know God and be saved, you must be willing to follow Jesus as LORD! And, too, FAITH is connected to RIGHTEOUSNESS!

Christ's righteousness imputed to your account; but also a very real righteousness imparted into your LIFE!

Faith is connected with obedience! And faith is connected to righteousness!

You can have Christ's righteousness imputed to your account! And as you trust in His death on the Cross as your death to sin; and as you trust in His resurrection and life as your life in the Spirit, "Old things pass away!" Old loves become hatreds! Old hatreds become loves! There is a hunger and thirst after the things of God! And best of all, we have fellowship with God, Himself!

PRAYER

#81 (EH) My Faith Has Found a Resting Place

— #68 (WS) O to Be Like Thee!]]]