Since our sons started debating I learnt quite a few things about what makes an argument valid, or relevant or logical. So why is it so important to be any of these? because anyone can argue, even the two year old who insists that they don't have o sleep hen it's already late. But most moms and dads can easily refute their arguments because they are so blatantly illogical or irrelevant or invalid. Some arguments are not so obviously faulty so knowing what makes them unsound is important otherwise we will be tossed about by every new verdict someone, or cult, throw our way.
One of the most crucial things to look out for from the onset of an argument is definitions. So what is righteousness according to the bible? After all for those of us who believe it to be the inerrant word of God, that's all the bible's opinion is all that matters, right? Everything else is just man's words.
Righteousness Is Not Right Doing But Right Being
Romans 4:5
5But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
Romans 4:5
5But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
What do you think righteousness is about? Something you do or something you are? Right doing or right being?
The Bible tells us that after Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross, God imputes righteousness not to those who strive to obey the law (Galatians 2:16 ), but to anyone who believes in His Son.
16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.
Because Christ took our sins and gave us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21 ), the moment we believe in Him, God treats us as righteous apart from our works or obedience. (Romans 4:5–8) This is new covenant righteousness — a righteousness that comes by faith and not works.
2Cor:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Romans 4: But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 “ Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.”[a]
7 “ Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.”[a]
You are not righteous because of how morally upright you are. You are not righteous because you exercise self-control. You are not righteous because you read 10 chapters of the Bible daily. You are not righteous because you feel righteous. But you are the very righteousness of God in Christ solely because the sacrifice of Jesus made you so. When you believe this, your faith is accounted for righteousness.
And this is what God wants you to use your faith for. If you are righteous by your deeds, you don’t need faith. You also don’t need faith to know that you are sinful. But you need faith to believe and declare that you are the righteousness of God in Christ, in the midst of your struggles with temptation and sin.
The bible is the words of truth
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