by Russell Young
There are different understandings as to what righteousness through faith in Christ means. Paul wrote: “But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Christ Jesus to all who believe.” (Rom 3:21─22 NIV) And, to the Philippians he wrote that he wanted to “be found in [Christ], not having a righteousness of [his] own that comes from the law, but that which us through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.” (Phil 3:9 NIV)
Paul was clear that he did not accept that righteousness could come through the law, but that it came through faith in Christ. Most believers would accept this to be true; however, it is true, as well, that ‘righteousness through faith in Christ’ is not well understood. Although the concept may not be clear to many, believers commonly rest in the confidence of their trust in the Lord that he will unilaterally provide their righteousness; that is, his righteous life will become their righteous life. Such thinking is a mixture of truth and error, which in the end could be very destructive. Greater understanding is necessary.
Since “faith in Christ” is necessary, this concept needs greater clarification.
Faith in Christ can be appreciated through the understanding that Christ is the Spirit. This truth must be grasped. When Paul teaches that faith must be rested in Christ, he is not speaking of the person and works of the fleshly Jesus who walked this earth without sin. He is not speaking of the Lord’s sacrificial death on the cross as the means of achieving righteousness. He is speaking of the Christ the Spirit. Paul wrote: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor 3:17─18 NIV) Faith in Christ is faith in the Spirit and it is through the Spirit that righteousness is gained. Christ died so that we might be cleansed and given his Spirit and a new chance, a new birth. The believer’s hope of righteousness rests in faith in the Spirit. Those who fail to appreciate this truth are not likely to practice faith in Christ.
To further ground this truth, Paul affirmed in his letter to the Galatians, “But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.” (Gal 5:5 NIV) Accordingly, his understanding was that the Spirit is the source of a person’s righteousness and that it had not yet been achieved by those to whom he was writing or by himself (Phil 3:12), but that its development was being waited …was yet to happen.
How is righteousness through faith in the Spirit (Christ) accomplished? Does the believer become righteous merely by trusting that the Spirit will make him or her righteous? Absolutely, and unequivocally, NOT.
Faith is often presented as something that the believer must possess. Although this is true, faith is not merely belief or the accepting of an idea as being truth. Faith does not exist unless the believer is willing to live and reveal his or her acceptance of that belief through their practices. That is, their behaviours and choices must reflect those things that they claim to believe. Faith is more than casual belief is it total persuasion and to the point that it compels action. Without action faith is dead; it doesn’t exist. (Jas 2:17, 26) Obedience is faith in action and the writer of Hebrews has written that eternal salvation comes through obedience (Heb 5:9) or the practice of faith. It is in regard to a person’s practices in obedience to the Spirit that “faith in Christ” takes on meaning. And it is in this sense that righteousness comes through faith in Christ. It is those who “are led by the Spirit” who will live righteously (Rom 8:4) and develop holiness and dwell with their God in his royal city, the New Jerusalem. The righteousness that brings eternal salvation is not imputed.
Faith in Christ is through conviction of the truth and claims of Christ to the point that obedience to the Spirit is practiced.
Regular Sunday contributor Russell Young has a book releasing this fall. Stay tuned for details.
Christianity 201 
Leave a Reply