Imputed Righteousness: Whose Righteousness Anyway? Part 5 of 5

Here is the final part 5 of the Sermon series from Pastor Dean Harvey regarding the doctrine of Imputed Righteousness.

Whose Righteousness Anyway?, By Pastor Dean Harvey – A Transcript from his daily radio show

In conclusion, we must ask the question, "Do we have any excuse for sin?" Unfortunately, the doctrine of imputed righteousness has become an excuse for sin, or at the very least, permitted Christians to become less vigilant about sin in their lives. Yes, we are to live righteously as the Bible instructs. No, Jesus cannot live righteously for us. And no, God does not see the sinful person through the righteousness of Christ, thereby making the sinner righteous in the sight of God. This is what is called a "theological fiction." It is a fiction, a make-believe, a lie, to somehow think that God sees us as righteous when we are living a life of sin. I am very sad to think that many who expect to go to heaven when they die, will hear Jesus say, "I never knew you." Matt. 7:23. In 1 Cor. 1:30, Paul says that Christ has become to us, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. This means that He is our Savior from sin, without Him, we would be lost in our sins, and could not be saved. Can we save ourselves? No. Is it works to say that we must personally live righteously after we become Christians? No. It is not works, it is the obedience of faith. It is the fruit of our transformation of heart. It is the fruit of the great mercy of God. It is the fruit of the patience of God. It is the only thing we can give back to God for this great salvation. Let us stop making excuses for sin. Let us stop looking for loopholes in the law of God. That is what the Pharisees did, and Jesus rightly condemned them. We say with Paul, "What, shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace?"