Righteousness by Faith

Righteousness by faith. What does it really mean? How does it work? Is there something deeply mysterious about it? If it is a mystery that only a few Christians have understood, what real hope is there that we can understand it?
Righteousness by faith is neither a complicated mystery nor a kind of magic formula. It is readily within the intellectual grasp of any Christian, young or old. Neither a graduate degree in theology nor in psychology is required. But as with so many other beautifully clear and simple truths, mysteries are indeed created by human evasions, false interpretations, counterfeits, and substitutes. Why should this surprise us? Has not the enemy of souls endeavored to shroud all of the saving truths of the Gospel in deep mystery? Let’s not let him get away with it.
First, let’s look at the words - define the terms.
Righteousness means the quality or condition of right doing. Check any dictionary; then see Ellen White’s definition in Christ’s Object Lessons, page 312:

Righteousness is right doing. . . .
By in this usage is simply a shorter way of saying “by means of,” as in “This car is powered by a gasoline engine,” or “This motor is run by electricity.” In all such uses, “by means of’ is understood. We need not concern ourselves about confusion with the other major use of the word by, to indicate a position. The description of the house “by the side of the road,” or the car “by the side of the house,” could hardly be confused with the sense of “by means of.”
Faith indicates our means of gaining the power by which we do right. The power is not in us. It is in God, in Christ, in the Holy Spirit. We receive that power by faith. There is no other way. Attempts to live lives of right doing without power from our Creator-God are utterly hopeless. They cannot possibly succeed.

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Putting all of this together, we have: “Righteousness by Faith” means right doing by means of power received from God. We might call this sanctification.
But this falls short of meeting our need. What about our past wrong doing? Is this just forgotten when we start to do right? Not exactly. Past wrong doing must be forgiven, covered, justified. Yes, justify does mean forgive. Again, check the word in any large dictionary. Then see Ellen White’s definition in the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Volume VI, page 1070:

Pardon and justification are one and the same thing.

So - in addition to sanctification we need justification. Both come to us only by faith.
But enough of human reasoning. Let us return to the simple beauty of the Scriptures. In John 5:24 we find the words of Jesus:

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Notice the two uses of the present tense:

Hath everlasting life. . . .

is passed from death unto life.

Did Jesus mean that believers will not go into the grave? Obviously not, because He goes right on to predict a time when:

. . . all that are in the graves shall hear His voice,
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (Verses 28, 29)

Believers do go into the grave, but they carry with them the “title deed” to everlasting life. This we understand. If we should ever happen to get a car paid for before it wears out, we receive a title deed proving our right of ownership. The best part of this arrangement is that a copy of the title deed is securely registered in the state house. We can dispose of it if we wish, but it cannot be taken from us without our consent.
Even so, our title deed to eternal life is registered securely in Heaven’s state house. We can dispose of it if we wish, but we cannot lose it. It can be removed from Heaven’s state house only by our decision. Remember, it became our possession when we first believed and accepted Jesus Christ.

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In the book of Ezekiel, chapter 33, we find four descriptions, each a case study that helps us to understand how God brings salvation to man. We will plot the four case studies on a chart with a dividing line across its center. The dividing line indicates our decision to turn from sin, accept Christ as our Saviour, and serve Him. Above the line we place the word Life, and below the line we place the word Death. At the very top of the chart we place the word Christlikeness.
Each person begins his life with freedom of choice.

(chart here)

In Ezekiel 33:7-9 we find our first case study, The Unrepentant Sinner.

So thou, 0 son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
When I say unto the wicked, 0 wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity. but his blood will I require at thine hand.
Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

This man never believes and accepts Jesus Christ, never responds to the love of God or to the pleading of the Holy Spirit, never crosses the line from death to life. We would plot his experience on the chart like this:

(chart here)

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Notice how his life without Christ goes downward. He did not improve with age. His heart became hardened by continually resisting the influences of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps, like many others, he actually planned to make things right with God someday, but not right now. The day of surrender to God never arrived, but the day of surrender to death did arrive. “Died in his sin” is his epitaph. He never crossed from death to life.

Case Study Number Two is found in Ezekiel 33:14-16:

Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;
If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.
None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.

The New Testament word “repent” actually carries the thought of turning, not greatly different from the word “turn” that is used in this chapter. We are now considering the experience of The Repentant Sinner. We would plot his experience on the chart like this:

(chart here)

Notice that this man’s life is not unlike the first man’s life until that moment when he believes, turns, makes a decision to surrender his life to God. His course is now upward instead of downward. He is growing in grace, becoming more Christlike every day by the power of God. The Apostle Paul adds an explanatory note in Romans 3:23. Let us read it slowly and thoughtfully:

Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe. . . .

Whose righteousness? God’s righteousness.

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How do we receive it? By faith of Jesus Christ.

It is unto all that believe, - the imparted righteousness of Christ, sanctification. .

It is upon all that believe, - the imputed righteousness of Christ, justification.

This scripture, Romans 3:23, is one of the grandest verses in the entire Bible. It is the concept that revolutionized the life of the Apostle Paul, and made him the greatest evangelist the world has ever seen; other than Jesus Christ Himself. It is what sent him rampaging over the Roman Empire, shouting at the top of his voice, as it were:

Anybody can make it! Anybody can have eternal life! There is help for us - help enough for anybody! Anybody can make it!

Is this not the message of Hebrews 7:25?

Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Our study of the Scripture and the chart makes these points evident:

The sinner passes from death to life in a moment of time, as long as it takes him to make a decision.
His sins of the past (Romans 3:25) are covered by the Righteousness of Christ upon him, imputed to him. He is forgiven, pardoned, justifted, an instantaneous procedure.
The power of God for right doing is the Righteousness of Christ unto him, imparted to him, bringing him sanctification, a continuing procedure.
As long as he continues in his attitude of faith, he remains on the life side of the chart. We may think that we see imperfections in him, but God does not. God sees him as perfect in Christ. Notice how Ellen White describes it:

When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man’s best service, and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine merit. Selected Messages, Volume I, page 382.

God does not show the repentant sinner everything that is wrong with him and that must be changed all at one moment. This might overwhelm him with discouragement. God leads him along step by step, correcting, leading, guiding, and perfecting, making him Christlike. As long as the repentant sinner abides in Christ, believing, trusting, obeying, he is on

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the Life side of the chart. He is perfect in Christ. He has the title deed to eternal life. This title deed cannot be lost, but it can be surrendered, disposed of. This leads to our next case study, The Backslider. It is found in Ezekiel 33:18:

When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.

On the chart the Backslider’s experience would look like this:

(chart here)

This man passes from death to life in a moment of time, and starts happily on the heavenward way. But then something happens. He gets too busy to study his Bible, too busy to pray, and his soul experiences slow starvation. Instead of advancing from victory to victory, he levels off into an uneven plateau experience. Things that had dropped out of his life begin to reappear. Bad habits reassert themselves. Eventually he “turns” again, in the wrong direction. He goes back across the line from life to death.
What is it that takes him back across the line? We will let the Apostle John tell us in 1John 2:1:

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

This is a verse that has lost some of its meaning in translation. We see no difference in English in the two uses of the word “sin.” In Greek there was a very significant difference both in spelling and in meaning. The apostle used in the first “sin” a form called linear (like a line). It refers to a continuous, unceasing practice. In the second usage he changed to a punctiliar (like a point) form. It refers to an isolated, individual act, as contrasted with a habitual practise. There is no advocate for sinning that is a continuous, unceasing practise. There is an advocate for the isolated act, recognized, confessed, and repented of.

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Although we have no knowledge that Ellen White ever studied Greek, it does appear that she understood the difference between linear and punctiliar verbs. Observe the linear sense of these passages:

. . . no man can cover his soul with the garments of Christ’s righteousness while practising known sins, or neglecting known duties. Selected Messages, Volume I, page 366.

No one can believe with the heart unto righteousness, and obtain justification by faith, while continuing the practise of those things which the Word of God forbids, or while neglecting any known duty. Selected Messages, Volume 1, page 396.

What is it, then, that takes the backslider from the life side of the chart and returns him to the death side? In modern language we might describe it as cherished sin. Notice Ellen White’s warning in Christ’s Object Lessons, page 316:

The righteousness of Christ will not cover one cherished sin.

In Ellen White’s writings the term “cherished sin” is used consistently to describe that which separates the soul from God. Notice the application of this principle to the sin of Moses and Aaron in smiting the rock:

Had Moses and Aaron been cherishing self-esteem or indulging a passionate spirit in the face of divine warnings and reproof, their guilt would have been far greater. But they were not chargeable with willful or deliberate sin; they had been overcome by a sudden temptation, and their contrition was immediate and heartfelt. Patriarchs and Prophets, page 419

(Let us explain to the Greek scholars who might read this paper that we are rejecting the proposal by Dana and Mantey that the first “sin” in 1John 2:1 is a second aorist, (page 195 of their grammar) and reading it as a present subjunctive active. This is in harmony with the principles set forth in the grammar prepared by Dr. William Hershey Davis (page 75) and, actually, the principles set forth in their own grammar by Dana and Mantey (page 283). We feel that Dana and Mantey are not even consistent with themselves, and that their proposal in regard to 1John 2:1 is more of a theological interpretation than a translation.)
Before leaving the backslider, let us point out that his condition is not hopeless. He may, if he chooses, repent and return to God and live. He will be again on the Life side of the chart.

I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely, for mine anger is turned away from him. Hosea 14:4

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Our fourth and last case study in Ezekiel 33 is the experience of The Self-Righteous Man. It is brought to view in verse 13:

When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousness shall not be remembered, but his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

On the chart The Self-Righteous Man’s experience would look like this:

(chart here)

This man’s life moves in a downward direction, like that of many others, until he gets some better ideas. Perhaps he reads some good books or meets and admires certain people. He makes changes in his life and initiates reforms until he becomes quite a good citizen and neighbor. In many ways he is an exemplary character. But he will not accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
This man is in danger of making a serious mistake. He may compare himself to some newly converted Christian and conclude that since the difference between them is not great, if God saves the Christian, God will surely save him also.
By a glance at the chart we easily recognize his mistake. He is overlooking the fact that the Christian is covered by the righteousness of Christ, which makes up for his deficiencies and fills the chart to its very top, making him perfect in Christ. The self-righteous man must get from his position below the “life-line” all the way to the top of the chart, with no help from Christ - an undertaking that is clearly impossible.
We cannot be saved by self righteousness. Only the righteousness of Christ will suffice. As an old-time preacher used to say, “You don’t just quit drinking and think that saves you. You will just go to hell sober, that’s all.”
At enormous cost, heaven has provided a way of salvation for us through the sacrificial death of God’s own Son. Any failure on our part to appreciate that sacrifice disqualifies us for the society of heaven. God’s

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plan of salvation cannot be improved upon. Let us take advantage of it in full surrender and not try to construct a plan of our own.
As we look back at these four diagrams, we should be able to find our experience on one of them. They are all-inclusive. We could be on the first chart, ready to die in our sins, having never crossed the line from Death to Life. We could be on the Life side, having made our decision, and happily following our Lord toward His kingdom, benefitting by His righteousness every step of the way. We could be in a back-slidden condition on the Death side of the chart again. Or we could be in the position of the self-righteous man, congratulating ourselves that we are not very bad but forgetting that only the righteousness of Christ can save us. Surely we realize that the Life side of the chart is the only place to be. If you are not there, even as you read this, you can cross the line before you put this book down. It is done by making a decision which takes only a moment of time. It is done by saying to the Lord, “I see it, and I understand it, and I am going to do it right now. From now on You are my Lord, and I take orders from you. Let me know what you want me to do.”

Now for a practical suggestion. We have learned from our dictionaries and from Ellen White that justification means pardon when the term is applied to God’s dealing with man. Notice how simple and clear some “problem texts” become if we just read “pardon” or “forgive” where we see the word “justify.”

Therefore by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be pardoned in his sight. . . . Romans 3:20

Being pardoned freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:24

Therefore we conclude that a man is pardoned by faith without the deeds of the law. Romans 3:28

Seeing it is one God, which shall pardon the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Romans 3:30

For if Abraham were pardoned by works, he hath whereof to glory, but not before God. Romans 4:2

This principle may be applied throughout the writings of Paul with beneficial results whenever he uses the word “justify” to apply to God’s dealings with sinful man. The other meaning of the word “justify,” to show or prove that what someone is doing or has done is right and proper has no application here. What sinful man is doing is by no means right

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and proper, and it cannot, by any means, be shown to be so. Paul does use the word in this sense in Romans 3:4, which applies to God, not man.

The purpose of this justification - this pardoning - is defined by Paul as:

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, that walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. Romans 8:4

Ellen White adds that

. . . forgiveness has a broader meaning than many suppose . . . God’s forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which He sets us free from condemnation. It is not only forgiveness for sin, but reclaiming from sin. (Emphasis hers.) Mount of Blessings, page 114

The religion of Christ means more than the forgiveness of sins; it means taking away our sins, and filling the vacuum with the graces of the Holy Spirit . . . When Christ reigns in the soul, there is purity, freedom from sin. Christ’s Object Lessons, pages 419-20

Is this a teaching of Perfectionism? By no means. The doctrinal error of perfectionism, whenever it has appeared in church history, has rested like a three-legged stool on three principles:

1. Character perfection through the power of God is possible.
2. This perfection can happen in a moment of time, instant sanctification.
3. When it happens to a Christian he will be aware of it and will be able to testify to others that he has become sinless. Some perfectionists held that this sinless condition could not be lost; others did not.

Two “spin-offs” of the doctrine were these:
1. The Doctrine of the Simplicity of Moral Action. According to this theory every act of life, large or small, is in itself either totally sinless or totally sinful, and we, while performing any act of life, large or small, are likewise either totally sinless or totally sinful. Thus the Christian moves back across the line to the “Death” side at the moment he makes any slight mistake in his Christian life. He has no security in Christ, and no righteousness of Christ making up for his deficiencies. The harshness of this grim doctrine was countered by the development of
2. The Doctrine of the Assured Providence of God. According to this theory, God will never let any sinning Christian die without giving him time to repent.
Of all these ideas, Seventh-day Adventists accept only the first, that it is possible by the power of God to overcome temptation and live

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victorious Christian lives. All of the rest we dismiss as human inventions that are not in harmony with either the Scriptures or the Spirit of Prophecy. Hence, to describe our faith as Perfectionism would be a very inaccurate use of the term.
We have seen that the Christian receives power from God by faith. Just how is this power transmitted to us? Primarily through God’s Word, the Scriptures.

For the Word of God is quick (living) and powerful. . . Hebrews 4:12

Sanctify them through thy truth; thy Word is truth. John 17:17

The Life of Christ that gives life to the world is in His Word. Desire of Ages, page 390.

The Word of God, the truth, is the channel through which the Lord manifests His spirit and power. Acts of the Apostles, page 520.

(For other statements on this subject, please refer to chapters 32 and 34 of this book.)
We achieve a steady growth in grace by a regular and systematic study of the Word of God, accompanied, of course, by prayer. In this reading we not only gain knowledge, we also receive power. And it is well to have a reserve of power on hand that we can use in emergencies created by particular efforts of the devil to tempt us in various ways.
From the perspective of forty-two years of ministry, I can report that there are few problems more troublesome to young Christians, and to some older Christians, than the problem of sexual tensions. Yet these tensions can be coped with adequately by a proper use of Scripture. David writes:

Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalms 119:11

We cannot describe the Word of God as hidden in our hearts if we have to read it out of a book, even a good book like the Bible. It has to be memorized. When Satan tempted Christ, He did not say, “Just wait a minute, Satan, and I will read you some verses from the scroll of Isaiah.” Christ met Satan with Scriptures that He had memorized. They were in His heart.
Must we memorize the entire Bible? No. The Bible is so loaded with power that a single chapter will serve nicely. Just choose a chapter that you enjoy. The same power of God is in all of the chapters. (My preference for years has been the book of Jude.) Commit this chapter to memory so firmly that you can recite it easily at any time. Practice reciting it often enough so that you do not lose it.

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Then when you are are troubled by sexual tensions, or other assaults by Satan, as all normal men and women are at times, just recite the chapter. Your tensions will disappear, and you will be victorious. Try it. It works. You will be experiencing Righteousness by Faith.
Righteousness by Faith is not a mystery. It is not difficult to understand, to practise, or to experience. It is right doing by means of power received from God. It begins with the righteousness of God upon us, justification. It continues with the righteousness of God unto us, sanctification. The transmission of power is through our reading and studying God’s Holy Word, the Bible.
After the Bible, we would recommend the book Christ’s Object Lessons by Ellen White. Just as The Desire of Ages is her position paper regarding the nature and work of our Lord Jesus Christ, even so the smaller book, Christ’s Object Lessons, is her position paper on the Doctrine of Righteousness by Faith. Anyone who masters the contents of this little book will be secure against misinterpretations or distortions of the doctrine.
And while you are in the Adventist Book Center getting your copy of Christ’s Object Lessons, why not look over the entire library of Ellen White’s writings? You could have them all for the price of a piece of furniture, and the benefits would be greater. If necessary, buy them one volume at a time until you have secured them all. At this period in the world’s history we can hardly make a better investment.

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