The experience of righteousness by faith brings a new longing for God, gives a new standing with God, provides a new connection with God through Christ, enables a new victory that comes as a result of the presence of Christ in a person's life through the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit, and brings about an overall transformation that is so complete, that it is described as an impenetrable fortress.
Romans 9:30-33 (NKJV) What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
Romans 1:16-17 (NKJV) "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Romans 5:17 (NKJV) "For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)"
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NKJV) "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."
2 Peter 1:4 (NKJV) "by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
"Christ gave his life to save the sinner from the death sentence. He died that we might live. To those who receive him he gives power that enables them to separate from that which, unless they return to their loyalty, will place them where they must be condemned and punished." {RH March 15, 1906, par. 6}
"God will more than fulfil the highest expectations of those who put their trust in him. He desires us to remember that when we are humble and contrite, we stand where he can and will manifest himself to us. He is well pleased when we urge past mercies and blessings as a reason why he should bestow on us higher and greater blessings. He is honored when we love him, and bear testimony to the genuineness of our love by keeping his commandments. He is honored when we set apart the seventh day as sacred and holy. To those who do this the Sabbath is a sign, “that they might know,” God declares, “that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” Sanctification means habitual communion with God. There is nothing so great and powerful as God’s love for those who are his children." {RH March 15, 1906, par. 20}
In the past I have preferred to talk in simple terms about justification as pardon and receiving the righteousness of Christ, and sanctification as transformation which is brought about by the power of Christ.
In studying these subjects over many years, I have come to realize that the pardon and righteousness that we receive from Christ, and the sanctification that transforms us, is completely dependent upon Christ. The blessings of righteousness received include, His divine-human nature that man is invited to "grasp" and partake of, His incarnate birth, His perfect life, His all sufficient sacrifice, His ongoing mediatorial work, and the constant working of the Holy Spirit to make all that Christ accomplished real in our lives. As a result, the terms "victory," "justification" and "sanctification," though accurate and appropriate, fail to fully express—at least in my opinion—the amazing gift that was given to us in Christ. Victory seems to suggest something that we do. I don't deny there is a very real work for men and women to do in achieving victory. Yet, that work is so completely dependent upon Christ for any success, that a better term than "victory" is needed. The same is true for transformation. In the Bible we find that transformation is promised, is progressively experienced on planet earth prior to the second coming, and one day will be universally experienced among the redeemed when sin and sinners will be no more. Accordingly, the term "righteousness by faith" seems to be a more, adequate, all-encompassing term. This experience of righteousness by faith brings a new longing for God, gives a new standing with God, provides a new connection with God through Christ, enables a new victory that comes as a result of the presence of Christ in a person's life through the instrumentality of the Holy Spirit, and brings about an overall transformation that is so complete, that it is described as an impenetrable fortress. The righteousness experienced is as dependent upon Christ as human being are dependent upon oxygen. This is a righteousness that is on the level of God's righteousness, brought about and maintained by the righteous One!
I have discovered there are many other less understood aspects of this supernatural gift as well, including the exercise of the will, the need to die to self and be emptied of it, etc. There is also the ongoing necessity of exercising faith and overcoming the constant efforts of the enemy to get our eyes off of Jesus and what He has done and is doing, and get them on ourselves, which only brings weakness and defeat. Beyond the more obvious subjects are also the things like the "keeping power" of God. The subject fills my heart with wonder and great desire to somehow understand and experience it. How it all works is a mystery, as Christ pointed out to Nicodemus, but it is very real and attainable, in dependence upon Christ.
In this section an attempt will be made to explain the amazing gift of Christ, and show in practical ways how His gift may be experienced.—Dan