PERFECTION IN CHRIST Devotion 10 of 15 Our perfection is not a condition achieved by us. Righteousness, or the total absence of sin, cannot be accomplished by those that have sinned. This is a requirement that must be accomplished by Another, then credited to us upon a basis acceptable to God. As elementary as they may appear, it has eluded many professing Christians.
The accomplishment belongs to Christ, who alone was perfectly obedient. His obedience now becomes the basis for us being made righteous. Rejoice in the proclamation. "For as by one man's disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be MADE RIGHTEOUS" (Rom 5:19). This is perfection, recognized by God and enjoyed by those in Christ Jesus! The term "many" is not a mathematical term, but one denoting the extent of both the fall and the remedy for it. Adam's disobedience yielded extensive results, and so did the obedience of Christ Jesus! The remedy for sin reaches as far as sin itself.
Our liabilities were given to Christ, that the righteousness of God might be given to us. This is the most glorious of all transactions, and it is effectual in every aspect of life among those who receive it. The declaration is plain, yet profound. "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor 5:21). Many stumble at Christ being "made sin." Notwithstanding, this is the plain declaration of Scripture. Upon the cross, Jesus became sin incarnate--God "made Him to be sin for us."
The benefit that flows from this causes joy in the saints. Because of Jesus being "made sin for us," we can now be "made the righteousness of God in Him!" That righteousness constitutes the "perfection" of which we speak. It is the "righteousness" that is declared through the Gospel -- a righteousness made available to men because of the offering of Jesus Christ once for all. As it is written, "I am not ashamed of the gospel . . . For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith"" (Rom 1:16-17, NIV). The righteousness "from God" is revealed for men! It is not a righteousness to be beheld by men, but experienced by them. It is, in fact, "imputed to them."
Do not doubt the truth of this! Prior to Jesus, righteousness was considered an achievement of men--a flawless keeping of the Law. You know that no one accomplished such righteousness. The universal condition of humanity is assessed by God Himself, "There is none righteous, no not one" (Rom 3:10). Through Christ, however, His own righteousness is now made available without the Law. "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets" (Rom 3:21). Do you doubt what righteousness this is, and to whom it is given? Hear the testimony of the Spirit: "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference, for all have sinned . . . " (Rom 3:22,23a). This is the perfection of which we speak!
Abraham, the "father of us all" (Rom 4:16), provides an example of the imputation of righteousness. Before his works were perfected, he was considered righteous because of his faith. The testimony of the Spirit is clear on this point. "And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also" (Rom 4:11). Was this an experience for Abraham alone? Indeed it was not! There was a coming generation to whom righteousness would also be "imputed" -- those who believe in Christ!
The case of Abraham is provided as a testimony of the way to righteousness, a state of total acceptance by a holy God! His acceptance was based upon his faith, not his works! "And therefore it (his faith) was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead" (Rom 4:22-24). Imputed righteousness, or the righteousness of God Himself, credited to you because of Christ and through your faith, is the perfection of which we speak.