We are forgiven our past sins when we initially express faith. God “recognized” that the person expressing faith had done the “right thing” at that point in time. Righteousness was not imputed (automatically given), it was recognized by God.
Righteousness –
The concept of “righteousness” does not suggest a state which is conveyed upon a person, which the person thereafter continually occupies. Righteousness is based on actions in each situation.
If a person understands that we were “imputed” righteousness it would be a lie because the person’s sin would still exist, and God would be unjust. God will not in truth call a sinner just. They do the right thing or behave righteously when they comply with God’s rules or covenant.
The goal of 2 Cor 5:21 is that a Christian will be made right with God through Christ. The scripture means that God’s grace will teach them (Titus 2:11-12), and make them “right”, because they have faith in Christ. It does not suggest that the person is as “righteous” as Christ Jesus at that particular time.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Ro 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God “reckons” righteousness without works, KJV
When a person first expresses faith in Christ God forgives their past (Rm 3:25) sins.
Rm 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
God declared that Jesus righteousness was sufficient to bring about the forgiveness of every person who expresses faith in Him. God recognized that they did the right thing by expressing faith.
Romans 4:6 is derived from King David’s comments in Psalm 32:1-2.
Rm 4:6 also references Abraham as Paul makes His point in the verse.
King David was a circumcised Jewish person and Abraham was not circumcised.
Both were men that Paul used as an example of a person that God recognized as having done the “right” thing by expressing faith in God.
When the two of them initially expressed “faith” they were forgiven their previous sins as Paul said in Rm 3:25.
At the time when they first expressed faith God began to teach them to deny “ungodliness” through His grace, Titus 2:11-12.
Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Ps 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
The Lord has Covered His sins of such a man. As the person continues to move from faith to faith the person will be taught to deny ungodliness by God’s grace, Rm 1:17.
They will be “made” righteous as we choose to keep ourselves “in” Him”, 2 Cor 5:21 and 2 Jn 1:9.
Ro 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith. (KJV)
In Romans 4:6 Paul is discussing the concept with regard to King David who was a person who knew the “Mosaic law”. This is seen from the Romans 3:28.
Ro 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without/apart from the “deeds of the law”.
A person only needed to perform a “deed” of the law if they had comitted a sin.
Since Abraham and David did the right thing by expressing faith they were accepted by God on that basis.
This acceptance does not mean that they had no sin at that time. For by grace we are saved through faith… Faith is the conduit through God gives us His grace which reaches us not to sin.
Imputed or recognized?
The first mention of the concept mistakenly known as “Imputation” is found in Gen 15:6.
In that verse Abraham was “not” given something that He did not at that time already possess.
The word “imputed” in our modern language can imply that God gave Abraham something He did not already possess.
Many errors are avoided in doctrinal interpretation when the word “reckoned” is used instead of “imputed”.
By using the word “reckoned” it is clearly understood that Abraham possessed faith when God said that He did the “right” thing in Gen 15:6.
Ge 15:6 And he believed in Jehovah; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness.
Abrahams faith was the right way to relate to God –
God recognized that the Faith which Abraham possessed at the time was the right way to relate to Him.
The use of the word “reckoned” or recognized is also more accurate when used in Romans 4:6.
Abraham’s faith was the correct or “righteous” way to approach God. He was uncircumcised and this event occurred before the “Law” was given to Moses.
King David was circumcised, and His circumcision was a “deed” that the “Mosaic Law” required. He was accepted by faith, and as a means of obtaining right standing before God, the deeds of the law were passing away.
Ro 4:6 Even as David also describes the blessedness of the man, who God “recognizes” as right (righteous) in His eyes (without) apart from the works/deeds (of the Law).
Before Jesus died on the cross the deeds/”work” of the Mosaic law was how a person obtained forgiveness from God.
David performed the work/deed of the law called circumcision in order to be forgiven for violating God’s law.
Paul is trying to tell his students that the deeds or works of the Mosaic law do not necessarily involve faith because they can be performed by a person without faith.
He made a similar point in Phil 3:9.
Php 3:9 ¶ And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
After the introduction of the Mosaic law king David, a circumcised Jew, is still doing the right thing by having faith.
In Romans 4:6 a person is said to be blessed and right in God’s eyes without having to perform a “work” of the law of Moses. Just as the Old Testament reference states “this person has had His sins covered”.
Ro 4:8 (ASV) Blessed is the man to whom, the Lord will not reckon sin.
These verses are saying that “faith” covers past sins.
They are saying that “blessed is the person who has had their sins covered” and does not need to perform a work of the law to obtain forgiveness. But also, those who perform the deeds of the law are accepted by the same faith and not because they perform a deed of the law.
Abraham was the Father of both law abiding and law breakers by showing that we are accepted by God through faith in Jesus. God will make both groups just as the justifier of both circumcision and uncircumcision.
God deals in reality, and if a person sins willfully after coming to faith, they can expect judgment, Heb 10:26.
All past sins are forgiven “at” conversion –
If they sin after coming to a knowledge of the truth they will be judged for the transgression (Heb 10:26) and receive a just recompense (Lk 14:14 and Heb 2:2).
The descriptive phrase “When their obedience has become complete” (2 Cor 10:6), shows that God decides when a person will be judged for a transgression.
So, judgment will occur “when their obedience is complete”, but at what point in an individual Christians life does complete obedience occur?
Who then decides when a person’s “obedience is complete” since Christianity is a process of growing in “Grace” or growing in the ability to deny ungodly activity?
I feel that this means that the sin will not be recompensed until the person is capable of obedience but refuses to be obedient. Such a person sin’s willfully, Heb 10:26.
In the New Covenant we are free from sin and our sins are covered after we confess them, 1 Jn 1:9.
1 John 1:9 KJV — If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 Jo 3:7 (RSV) Little children, let no one deceive you. He who does right is righteous, as he is righteous.
Righteousness is a word describing a person’s behavior based upon what is right in God’s eyes. The first right thing a believer does is believe or have faith as Abraham found in Genesis 15:6 and Romans 4:9.
Ro 4:9 ¶ Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
Ro 2:25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
The word “imputed has given rise to several incorrect doctrinal stances.
In particular, an error can be found as this mistaken concept of “imputation” is related to 2 Cor 5:21.
2 Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God “In Him”.
Believing in Christ while “asleep” –
Being in Him or “in Christ” is a term or condition which begins with faith. If we sin while still believing in Christ we are termed to be “asleep” (Jonah 1:6, 1 Thess 4:13, 1 Cor 15:34, Eph 5:14 and 2 Tim 2:26).
Jon 1:6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, what meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so, be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.
2Ti 2:26 (MKJV) and [that] they awake out of the snare of the Devil, having been taken captive by him, so as to do the will of that one.
When faith comes, a person must continue to obey the Commandments of God in order to remain “In” Christ as is seen in 2 John 1:9.
2Jo 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth (remains “In”) in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
What this means is that 2 Cor 5:21 is correct, and Christians are right in God’s eyes when they remain or abide in Jesus’ teachings.
It needs to be remembered that even in the old covenant a sinful person was provided a way back to “right standing” or “righteousness” by making a sacrifice. In the New covenant we confess/tell Jesus that we recognize that the activity is sinful, 1 Jn 1:9.
In this case the concept of “imputation” has mistakenly allowed Christians to think that they are “In Christ” when they have unconfessed sin in their lives.
A Christian is “Abiding In” Christ when either they have not sinned or when they have confessed their sin, 1 Jn 1:9.
1 John 1:9 KJV — If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.