Righteousness Apart From Works

Just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin. 

Romans 4:6-8 

David is another of the ancients who understood imputed righteousness. Paul uses him as an example as he sets up his case for justification by faith. As he does, he quotes David from Psalm 32. David clearly demonstrates his understanding of imputed righteousness. It is important for us to be aware that the ancients understood justification by faith. It is not new, novel, or in any way a departure from what has always been God’s way of salvation. Whether we consider as ancient a soul as Abraham or as prolific a writer of Scripture as David the ancients understood imputed righteousness apart from works. This became one of the primary rediscoveries of the Reformation after church councils, religio-political organizations, and mass manipulation had obscured it for centuries. When the reformers laid hold on the truth of imputed righteousness without works, they revived the preaching of Christ. Whereas He had become obscured by the promotion of performance-based religion, the understanding of justification by faith recentered Him in His rightful place in preaching. It is the same today. True preaching makes much of Christ. He is its’ theme, its’ nature, and its’ substance. Paul sought to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. As he did, he was articulating the same message the ancients believed.

Our Gracious God and our Savior, 
we rejoice that You have one message for us. 
We praise You that Christ is at the heart of that message.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning