The Righteousness of Christ Imputed to Me
God treats believers as if they were as righteous as Christ, removing their guilt and making salvation possible.
C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes the profound truth that God imputes the righteousness of Christ to believers, treating them as if they have fulfilled the law perfectly. This divine exchange allows believers to rest in the assurance that their sins are laid upon Christ, while His righteousness is credited to them. Spurgeon highlights that this wondrous doctrine is the foundation for declaring the day of salvation, as the guilt of the believing sinner is removed and replaced with Christ's righteousness. He encourages believers to embrace this truth, which brings peace to the soul and empowers them to proclaim salvation. Ultimately, it is through faith that one receives this gift of righteousness without any works.
Text
As he takes thy sin and lays it upon Christ so he takes Christ's righteousness and lays it upon thee. He looks at thee as if thou wert as righteous as his Son who represents thee. He treats thee as if thou hadst been obedient to all his law; he looks upon the model man Christ Jesus, the perfect humanity, and he sees in Christ all his people, and treats them accordingly. He looks upon his people as if they themselves had magnified the law and made it honorable by a sinless life. Wondrous doctrine this, but he that believes it shall find rest unto his soul; and it is because of it that we are authorized to come forth this day and declare the day of salvation.
The guilt of the believing sinner is put away, for Christ has carried it; and now righteousness belongs to the sinner, for God imputes it to him without works: therefore this is the day of salvation.
From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "The Day Of Salvation,"
Sermon Outline
- God's View of the Believer
- The Basis of God's View
- The Result of God's View
- The guilt of sin is removed
- Righteousness is imputed to the believer
Key Quotes
“He looks at thee as if thou wert as righteous as his Son who represents thee.” — C.H. Spurgeon
“The guilt of the believing sinner is put away, for Christ has carried it;” — C.H. Spurgeon
Application Points
- I can trust in God's imputed righteousness to remove my guilt and make me righteous in His sight.
- I should declare the good news of salvation to others, as it is a time of great opportunity.
- I can experience rest and peace in my soul by believing in the doctrine of imputed righteousness.