How are you righteous before God?1
Only by true faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-28; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:8-11). Although my conscience accuses me that I have grievously sinned against all God’s commandments, have never kept any of them (Romans 3:9-10), and am still inclined to all evil (Romans 7:23), yet God, without any merit of my own (Deuteronomy 9:6; Ezekiel 36:22; Titus 3:4-5), out of mere grace (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:8), imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ (Romans 4:3-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19; 1 John 2:1-2). He grants these to me as if I had never had nor committed any sin, and as if I myself had accomplished all the obedience which Christ has rendered for me (Romans 4:24-25; 2 Corinthians 5:21), if only I accept this gift with a believing heart (John 3:18; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 3:22).
Why do you say that you are righteous only by faith?2
Not that I am acceptable to God on account of the worthiness of my faith, for only the satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ is my righteousness before God (1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 2:2). I can receive this righteousness and make it my own by faith only (Romans 10:10; 1 John 5:10-12).
But why can our good works not be our righteousness before God, or at least a part of it?3
Because the righteousness which can stand before God’s judgment must be absolutely perfect and in complete agreement with the law of God (Deuteronomy 27:26; Galatians 3:10), whereas even our best works in this life are all imperfect and defiled with sin (Isaiah 64:6).
But do our good works earn nothing, even though God promises to reward them in this life and the next?4
This reward is not earned (Matthew 5:12; Hebrews 11:6); it is a gift of grace (Luke 17:10; 2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Does this teaching not make people careless and wicked?5
No. It is impossible that those grafted into Christ by true faith should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness (1 Matthew 7:18; Luke 6:43-45; John 15:5).
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