Understanding RighteousnessSample

The Two Dimensions of Righteousness:Imputed and Imparted

Scripture: Romans 4:3

“For the scripture tells us, ‘Abraham believed God, and so God declared him to be righteous.’”

Devotional

In our walk with God, we experience two beautiful dimensions of righteousness - Imputed Righteousness and Imparted Righteousness.

Imputed righteousness is our instant, legal status as children of God, given the moment we believe in God. Abraham, for instance, experienced this grace before its time; he was declared righteous by faith, not by following rules. Thus imputed righteousness is positional.

Imparted righteousness is the transformation of our lifestyle—the grace that empowers us to live right. We are invited to let our secure position in Christ naturally overflow into our daily actions, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through both dimensions of our new life.

Romans 6:17 (NLT) reminds us to thank God for we once were slaves to sin, but now we are wholeheartedly obeying his teachings. Imparted righteousness is therefore practical and applies in our daily lives. Once you know your position with God, that he has bestowed righteousness to us as a gift, we ought to practice it everyday.

Reflection Questions:

• Do I see righteousness only as a positional status?
• Where in my life is my positional righteousness being used as an excuse (a license to sin) instead of a power source?

Prayer Declaration

Heavenly Father, I thank You that I am both positionally and practically righteous. I declare that I will not work with one and live the other. I receive the imputed gift and choose to participate by living out the imparted righteousness through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.