Gospel Words We Should Know
REPENTANCE
RIGHTEOUSNESS
This is a word which has no real meaning outside the Christian faith.
There are three kinds of righteousness.
- God's own divine attribute of righteousness.
- Righteousness in man.
- The gift of righteousness
1. God's own righteousness.
This is an essential glorious, perfection in God. We speak of it as the divine attribute of righteousness, and understand it to refer to His absolute moral perfection and goodness in all His actions, relationships and judgments. It belongs to God alone and is never transferred to any of His creatures.
2. Righteousness in man
means conformity to the will of God as expressed in His law and expounded by the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us." Deuteronomy 6:25
3. The gift of righteousness or imputed righteousness.
When a sinner repents and believes the gospel, God bestows on him the gift of righteousness which Christ has accomplished for us by His obedience and suffering.
It is bestowed through faith alone. 2 Corinthians 5:21 Romans 3:21-26 Romans 4:22-24
