CHRIST OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS ALONE BRINGS REVIVAL



True reformation will never take place if revival is absent.
Too often our focus is directed to reformation at the neglect of revival.

Scripture indicates that we are "dead in sin" even though we are alive physically and in desperate need to be "resurrected" or "quickened" by Holy Spirit.

It is likened to the resurrection of Christ from the dead!


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Ephesians 1:6-7 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved.
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Ephesians 2:4-10 God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us (raised us to newness of life) together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
He has raised [us] up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,


In beholding God, we not only gain a deep sense of our own unworthiness; which humbles the heart to realize our utter helplessness, but with this comes the assurance of forgiveness, full and free to all who come seeking His righteousness. That forgiveness is free only because Christ has purchased it at great cost to Himself, to purchase for us release from the curse of sin. When we, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit begin to comprehend this we arise changed. We have caught a glimpse of the loveliness of the divine character. We can testify of the transformation wrought through beholding Infinite Love. Such will be inspired with longing desire to see others set free from the burden and penalty of sin.

"Why should we be stricken any more?" the prophet Isaiah inquired. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."



John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, (you are no longer under the penalty the law demands of you for Christ took that penalty in your place) but under grace (justified by the blood of Christ)

Romans 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; (the law no longer has the right to condemn you to death and tell you that you cannot be connected to Christ because of your sins, as Christ paid that penalty with His death) that you should be married to another, even to him (to Christ) who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Interesting --
revival means death to self
not only to selfishness, but also to self righteousness.

It is preceded by a deep conviction (through the Holy Spirit) of our utter need.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".

It is then that God, through the sacrifice of Christ can revive us -- freeing us from the condemnation our sins brought upon us, giving us newness of life in Christ-- spiritual life, awake to His leading.

It takes focus off self -- for self is dead in Christ
and frees us to serve the Lord seeking His honor and glory.

Imputation -- Imputed

--To ascribe to or charge a person with an act or quality because of the conduct of another
--to attribute (righteousness, guilt, etc.) to a person or persons as derived from another.

Imputed righteousness comes from Another, it is not our own.
Imputed guilt -- is to be declared guilty of someone else's sin.

Our guilt was imputed to Christ, while His righteousness is imputed to us.

The word "imputed" occurs almost 300 times in EGW's writings -- it is important to understand.
Looking up some of the references makes it clear that accepting Christ's IMPUTED righteousness is key to living a sanctified life.

Yet many mistakenly think it has the opposite effect -- that somehow accepting Christ's forgiveness and imputed righteousness allows them to continue in sin. But as Paul writes: "God forbid!" How can we, who have been rescued from the curse of the law, think we can now transgress the law?



Yes, it makes sense -- released from the curse of the law which demanded our death and denied us the right to approach God for we have all transgressed the law, we now show our loyalty to the ONE Who redeemed us by clinging to Jesus and being loyal to Him. We love Him thus we keep His commandments.



That makes sense as well. If we think we are already under the curse of the law, -- why then bother to resist temptation, we are already condemned. But if we believe we are forgiven by the blood of Christ, and that the Savior's merits are imputed to us, we know we are Christ's, He has cleansed us, and we want to stay clean for Him, in honor of Him-- to exalt HIS name. It is that faith that will endure the test.



What a precious statement.
Due to Christ's sacrifice we receive pardon/forgiveness of sin. We are IMPUTED the righteousness of Christ.
Thus sin no longer separates us from God! God does not see in us the vileness of the sinner, He sees in us the righteousness of Christ! Thus we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, not with fear. We can with assurance, link ourselves with the greatest power of the universe unto goodness and life.

That's where the power lies for the remedy for sin.



Those words can't be clearer -- "salvation can be obtained only through the blood of Christ, through His imputed righteousness."



Our commandment keeping is not what brings salvation, Christ's imputed righteousness is what declared us "holy", our commandment keeping is acknowledging our allegiance to the One Who saved us.

The focus of our sanctification is on "loyalty", allegiance, bring God glory, being Christ's ambassadors -- etc. It no longer quibbles about what is permissible and what is not permissible, and how "perfect" is "perfect". No, their focus is on "what does Jesus want me to do" How can I best represent him and live for Him. And the Holy Spirit will lead to a reflection of Christ's character that far outshines those who are trying to gain salvation by the law. The Holy Spirit will write God's law in our hearts and minds, making it part of our character.

Satan does not want you understand imputed righteousness.

Amen!