The Reformers and Imputed Righteousness

This doctrine of 'Imputed Righteousness' is not only blasphemous, but highly un-Scriptural. First, by teaching mans sins were literally imputed to Jesus (on the cross) so that He was infected by mans unrighteousness. (on the cross) and therefore liable to Divine justice (wrath of God), you must also assert that Christ paid your fine in advance (on the cross) and took your punishment upon Himself (on the cross), which consequently places Him in hell for all eternity. (by literally bearing yours sins in His own body on the cross):

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ro. 6:23) (This is Clearly speaking of Spiritual Death, not Physical Death as Heb. 9:27)

According to imputation advocates this is precisely what Christ has accomplished for His elect. (by dying on the cross two thousand years ago).Full proof of this doctrinal ERROR is observed by comparing 'the wages of sin' to 'the Gift of God' (Ro. 6:23). Here we read, 'the wages of sin is (eternal) death' being contrasted with 'the Gift of God', which is, Eternal Life. As follows, if Jesus was punished for the sins of certain people, then He continues to suffer in eternal hell to this very hour! Clearly, Scripture does NOT agree with the idea that Christ is suffering in hell today (Acts 2:33; Ro. 4:24; 1 Co. 15:1-7; Eph. 1:20; 2 Tim. 2:8; Heb. 1:3; 1 Pe. 1:21; Rev. 1:18). However the Grand Conclusion of such a fallacy IS that Jesus remains in hell to this day! Although all would deny it.

"If Christ had died only a bodily death, it would have been ineffectual. No — it was expedient at the same time for him to undergo the severity of God’s vengeance, to appease his wrath and satisfy his just judgment. For this reason, he must also grapple hand to hand with the armies of hell and the dread of everlasting death...to bear and suffer all the punishments that they ought to have sustained." (Excerpted from: John Calvin's: The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Edited by Tony Lane and Hilary Osborne Pg. 515)

Consequently, Jesus was NOT punished on the cross in place of (certain) individuals and therefore sins are NOT paid for in advance! (Matt. 6:13-14; Ro. 3:25; Heb. 6:6; 10:26-31; 2 Pe. 1:9; 1 Jn. 1:9). Likewise, another passage of Scripture that is sighted to support the notion that the 'Lamb of God' became blackened with imputed sin on the cross so certain PRE-selected individuals could eventually be imputed exceedingly righteous (by believing in the provision) is the following:

"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Co. 5:21).

From this verse is conjectured that Christ had His children's sins imputed to Himself. (as His very own) and that His obedience and righteousness are transferred to His elect. (as their very own). Hence, you are 'positionally' righteous and approved IN Christ, even while you remain UN-righteous and totally wicked in nature. Although some may see the blatant contradiction of 'upholding the law by faith' (as Paul stated in Ro. 3:31) and violating it daily in thought, word and deed, they are quick to affirm, 'there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus' (Ro. 8:1). Of course, this is CODE for their teaching of substitution which implies Christ took the wrath of God in their place (on the cross) which means there is NO more wrath for their disobedience or future sins after conversion! Thus, nothing you do or fail to do can EVER bring you back under judgment of God! This teaching has cleverly removed the GUILT from the believer’s conscience, while affirming; the actual SIN (nature) remains. Thus, there interpretation of 2 Co. 5:21 is as follows:

"For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin (sinless) to be (a) sin(er) for us (on the cross), that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (through a moral transfer)" (2 Co. 5:21).

Yet again we are faced with a Bible teaching that asserts Christ became the greatest of sinners on the cross (by imputation), so that all His elect could (by imputation) receive His righteousness. Is this so? Is obedience transferable? Can morals be exchanged? Is vice and virtue, good and bad, right and wrong be inherited or imputed? Is sin a physical issue or moral choice? The Scriptures confirm that Jesus is the 'Lamb of God' who shed His 'precious Blood' which was VOID of 'spot or blemish' as a sacrifice to God for the sins of mankind. (Isa. 24:44; 53:6; Ezk. 18:30-32; Matt. 23:37; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 2:10-11; Jn. 1:29; 3:16; Rom. 2:11; 5:15; 2 Cor. 5:14-15; Eph. 1:7; 1 Tim. 2:11; 4:10; Tit. 2:11; Heb. 2:10; 9:22; 1 Pe. 1:19; 2 Pe. 2:1; 1 Jn. 2:22; 3:20). Notice, Christ Blood is said to have been WITHOUT 'blemish' or 'spot', that is, without sin. (Heb. 4:15; 1 Pe. 1:19). Now, why is this significant and vital to grasp?

"Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it shall not be acceptable on your behalf" (Lev. 22:20).

If God's true PROVISION involves a moral transfer (double imputation) then how would Christ have been able to ATONE for the sins of the world? (Jn. 1:29; 3:16; 1 Jn. 2:2; 3:20). According to this above passage, He would NOT have been accepted due to having defect. (sin)! As follows, if Christ Blood was truly tainted through the imputation of sin then His Blood loses all its purity, VALUE and everlasting merit. Therefore, His Blood no longer can redeem man from the corrupting influence of sin. (Heb. 9:13-14; 2 Pe. 1:3-4). No more can Christ save His people from their sins by destroying the very works of the devil. (Matt. 1:21; 1 Jn. 3:8). No longer can Jesus' Blood allow God to pass over our OLD sins that were PREVIOUSLY Committed, nor purge our consciences from dead works so we can SERVE the living God. (Ro. 3:25; Heb. 1:3; 9:14; 12:28-39; 2 Pe. 1:9). The idea of Christ being TEMPETED in all points as we are, yet WITHOUT sin, and being the same yesterday, today and forever becomes nothing more than a mere fable. (Matt. 4; Heb. 4:15; 13:8). Consequently, the Gospel loses its ability to pull souls out of HELLS FIRES and no longer can any man or woman be saved. (Ro. 3:24-25; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14)!

"Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats" (Ex. 12:5).

Again, we see proof that the 'Lamb of God' could NEVER have became a sinner of the cross as the doctrine of imputed righteousness affirms, rather, "He (God) made Him (Jesus Christ) who knew no sin (innocent) to be (a) sin (offering) for us, that we might become the righteousness of God (justification through Blood) in Him. (2 Co. 5:21). The same word "hamartia" (sin) that is used by Paul in 2 Co. 5:21 is also seen multiple times in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) as a SIN-OFFERING: (Exod. 29:14 Lev. 4:3; 4:8; 4:20; 4:21; 4:24, 4:25, 4:29, 4:32-34; Lev. 5:6; 5:7; 5:8; 5:9; 5:11; 5:12; Lev. 6:17; 6:25; 6:30; Lev. 7:7, 7:37; Lev. 8:2,; 8:14; Lev. 9:2; 9:3; 9:7; 9:8; 9:10; 9:15; 9:22; Lev. 10:16; 10:17; 10:19; Lev. 12:6; 12:8; Lev. 14:13; 14:19; 4:22; 4:31; Lev. 15:15; 15:30; Lev. 16:3; 16:5; 16:6; 16:9; 16:11; 16:15; 16:25; 16:27; Lev. 23:19; Num. 6:11; 6:14; 6:16; Num. 7:16; 7:22; 7:28; 7:34; 7:40; 7:46; 7:52; 7:58; 7:70; 7:76; 7:82; 7:87; Num. 8:8; 8:12; Num. 15:24; 15:25; 15:27; Num. 18:9; Num. 28:15; 28:22; Num. 29:5; 29:11; 29:16; 29:22; 29:25; 29:28; 29:31; 29:34; 29:38.)

"And you know that He was manifested to take away our sin and IN Him is NO sin" ( 1 Jn. 3:5)

It also occurs in other Scriptures with the same significance in mind: (2 Chron. 29:21; 29:23; 29:24: Ezra 6:17; Job 1.5; Ezk. 43:19, 43:22; 43:25; Ezk. 44:27; 44:29; Ezk. 45:17; 45:19; 45:22; 45:23; 45:25) The Bible clearly tells us that Christ was an OFFERING for sin. (Isa. 53:10; Heb. 9:13-14; 9:28; 10:10). He was a SACRIFICE to God for a sweet -smelling aroma. (Eph. 5:1-2). These verses also affirm, Christ NEVER became sin on the cross, which means, when God viewed His Son on Calvary He saw NO sin. (Isa. 53:7; 53:9; Acts 8:32-33; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pe. 2:22-23). This being the case, there was NO exchange, magnificent transfer or imputation that took place on the cross! The Scripture declares, 'He (Jesus) was manifested to TAKE AWAY our sins, and IN Him is NO sin' (Matt. 1:21; 2 Co. 5:21; 1 Jn. 3:5)! This is why God could accept Christ precious Blood and sin-offering as a sacrifice for the sins of the WORLD. (Lev. 22:20; Ex. 12:5; Jn. 1:29; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 1:19; 2:24; 1 Jn. 2:2).

Further errors are confirmed by evaluating this particular doctrine of 'Imputed Righteousness'. First, if man becomes PRE-forgiven of UN-committed sins at the moment of justification (as they all teach!) then HOW can he loose rewards or be scourged over sins that were paid for IN advance on the cross. (Heb. 12)? If all sins (past, present, future) are under the Blood of Christ at the moment of justification, then how can a believer lose fellowship with God by continuing in sin that He can no longer see. (Ro. 6:1-2; Heb. 4:13; 1 Pe. 3:12; Rev. 2-3)? Many may reply, "Christians who continue in sin were NEVER really saved to begin with". However, this is an outrageous contradiction. If someone is pronounced saved and later falls into grievous sins and away from the faith, how could they no longer be saved OR 'never saved to begin with', when their FUTURE sins were forgiven at conversion. (2 Pe. 2:1-3; Jude 4)?

Likewise, some will say, "Christians might fall into sin, but they will not dive into it nor remain in it". What about King David who committed acts of murder and adultery. (2 Sam. 12:7-23)? How about Peter who denied Christ three times (Mk. 14:66-72; Jn.18:25-27)? It appears they did not CONTINUE in those sins, which must, mean (according to this teaching) they were truly saved to begin with. The question then becomes -- did they (David and Peter) lose there justification through their personal transgression OR did their salvation experience remain in tact even while they were in a state of willful sin. (Ezk. 18:24; Matt. 10:33; Ro. 8:13; 1 Co. 6:9-10; Gal. 6:7-9; 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5-7; Heb. 10:26; Rev. 21:8)? According to this perverted doctrine of imputation, they were forgiven (by the Virtue of Calvary) for their sins (being elect) BEFORE they ever committed them which DIRECTLY (or indirectly) implies that a Christian can deny the Lord, murder a neighbor and commit adultery while simultaneously retaining salvation!

Truly, these outrageous conclusions can only be arrived at by holding to the imputation doctrine of eternal security that magically transfers the Righteousness (and obedience) of Christ to believers through the virtue of His sacrifice. However, it should be noted that no where does the Bible say that 'Christ' is Imputed to you as Righteousness -- only by conjecture can this be proven (2 Pe. 3:16-17). On the contrary, the Bible DOES affirm man's faith is Imputed for Righteousness, which includes, doing what is right from the heart by obedience to the truth. (Gen. 15:6; Ro. 4:3,22; 6:17; Gal. 3:6; Jas. 2:23; 1 Pe. 1:22; 1 Jn. 3:7). Just the same, no where does the Bible teach that a believers sins are FORGIVEN IN ADVANCE on the cross -- only by conjecture can this be understood. (Matt. 6:13-14; 6:23; Acts 17:30; Ro. 3:25; Heb. 10:26-31; 2 Pe. 1:9; Rev. 2-3).

Finally, if it is true that a genuine believer can never 'believe for a while' or 'fall away in a time of temptation' (as Jesus confirmed in Lk. 8:13 & Rev. 2:10),why does Paul warn believers that BEFORE the 'Day of Christ' can come, there must come a massive 'falling away from the faith' (2 Thess. 2:3)? How can Christians fall if they NEVER stood to begin with (2 Pe. 3:17)? How can a branch wither if it was NEVER green to begin with (Jn. 15:6)? How can one shipwreck their faith if they were NEVER on the ship to begin with (1 Tim. 1:18-20)? How can Christ return for a Second Advent, if only those who 'fall away' (or 'Apostate'), were NEVER truly saved to begin with (2 Thess. 2:3)? How can people who were 'never saved to begin with' and NOT 'partakers of the Divine nature' apostate (or fall away) from the Christian religion in which they NEVER truly were apart of to begin with (2 Pe. 1:3-4)? Impossible!

The Scripture is full of WARNINGS that adequately show that you can indeed FALL AWAY from the faith (Matt. 18:21-34; 24:10; Mk. 4:17; Lk. 8:13; Jn. 6:66; Acts 1:25 & Matt. 19:28; 2 Thess. 2:3; 1 Tim. 1:6; 19; 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:8; 4:10; Heb. 3:12-15; 4:1-11; 6:6; 2 Pet. 2:20-22; Jude 1:5). For these reasons I reject the doctrine of Imputation which is built off the notion of original sin and asserts a substitution theory, moral transfer, PRE-forgiveness of future sins, rewards system and the eternal security of the believer. I affirm this teaching is dangerously ANTI-Scriptural and utter heresy. (2 Pe. 2:1; Jude 4).

In Conclusion:
This twisted doctrine of ‘Imputed Righteousness’ as taught today in Christendom undermines the very foundations of godliness and creates what some have termed a ‘moral dilemma’ of immense magnitude. All teaching of obedience and OBLIGATION to the moral law of God is negated under this system because BEHAVIOR doesn’t count. The hearers draw the natural conclusion that since God doesn’t see them sin and they are magically cloaked in the Righteousness of Jesus, NOTHING they do can add or detract from the ultimate outcome of their final salvation. It’s already a done deal! Signed and delivered on the Cross, PAID in advance, so to speak, and waiting for a personal acknowledgement of what has ALREADY taken place at Calvary....

"There is no sin you have to stop doing to get saved, no sin you have to stop doing to stay saved; in fact if you try to obey or please God by not sinning, you cancel grace out because salvation is trusting that God sees you as Jesus, not sinning when you sin!"

Without a full and complete knowledge of the Truth you will inevitably walk into darkness and error and be lost in an ocean of false teaching. When it comes your eternal soul, you CANNOT afford to be wrong! Scripture proclaims that the majority of people are already deceived and under Strong delusion. DO NOT consider yourself an exception unless you can PROVE beyond all doubt that what you believe is 100% correct!

Assumptions and conjecture WILL NOT get you into the Kingdom. False doctrine translates into FALSE TEACHING! Present day doctrine/theology is founded in deeply seated error. You need to dig in and DIG DEEP to unravel this mess or it will cost you your eternal soul! To religious Church goers the TRUTH is NOT an easy pill to swallow. It will turn your world up-side-down! You can love it now or be JUDGED by it later. Relinquish the lies and WALK into the Light!