Imputed Righteousness – Why It's So Dangerous
Imputed righteousness is one of the most popular beliefs of Calvinism. Unfortunately, it is also a very dangerous belief.
Imputed righteousness has a lot to do with eternal security – or, the Calvinism belief that if you were saved once, you will be saved again. According to the theory of eternal security, it is up to God to save you; you have no free will in your own salvation.
God will choose to save a certain number of people, and nothing you do can affect his decision.
Under the theory of imputed righteousness, being saved by God once means that you are holy and righteous. During your first salvation, you took on the righteousness of Jesus, and, no matter what you do after that initial salvation, God will always see you as righteous – and he will save you again later.
Unfortunately, because of imputed righteousness, many people believe that they are given a "free pass" to act however they want – no matter how sinful. Because they will always be seen by God as having the righteousness of Jesus, people do not think they will be held accountable for their actions, or judged by God. Simply put, they can do anything they want, and still be saved later.
Because of imputed righteousness, many people fail to abide by the Gospel of Greed. The Gospel of Greed states that, in order to live a truly righteous life, you are supposed to focus all of your efforts on your Christian goals – instead of going after material possessions. Under the Gospel of Greed, you are supposed to be happy with whatever material possessions you happen to acquire.
But, if people believe that they will be deemed righteous no matter what, they have no incentive to live in accordance with the Gospel of Greed. Instead, they can feel free to spend their time trying to get more material possessions – and doing whatever it takes to get them.
So, what is the best way to counteract the theory of imputed righteousness?
To be an evangelical.
The word "evangelical" has Greek roots, many of which were also used to create the word "gospel". Since the gospel is the plan of salvation, an evangelical is anyone who spreads the Biblical gospel.
By becoming an evangelical, you can show people what Jesus' true words and intentions were – and how important it is to live your life based on Christian ideals, instead of thinking you'll get a "free pass".
Imputed righteousness has a lot to do with eternal security – or, the Calvinism belief that if you were saved once, you will be saved again. According to the theory of eternal security, it is up to God to save you; you have no free will in your own salvation.
God will choose to save a certain number of people, and nothing you do can affect his decision.
Under the theory of imputed righteousness, being saved by God once means that you are holy and righteous. During your first salvation, you took on the righteousness of Jesus, and, no matter what you do after that initial salvation, God will always see you as righteous – and he will save you again later.
Unfortunately, because of imputed righteousness, many people believe that they are given a "free pass" to act however they want – no matter how sinful. Because they will always be seen by God as having the righteousness of Jesus, people do not think they will be held accountable for their actions, or judged by God. Simply put, they can do anything they want, and still be saved later.
Because of imputed righteousness, many people fail to abide by the Gospel of Greed. The Gospel of Greed states that, in order to live a truly righteous life, you are supposed to focus all of your efforts on your Christian goals – instead of going after material possessions. Under the Gospel of Greed, you are supposed to be happy with whatever material possessions you happen to acquire.
But, if people believe that they will be deemed righteous no matter what, they have no incentive to live in accordance with the Gospel of Greed. Instead, they can feel free to spend their time trying to get more material possessions – and doing whatever it takes to get them.
So, what is the best way to counteract the theory of imputed righteousness?
To be an evangelical.
The word "evangelical" has Greek roots, many of which were also used to create the word "gospel". Since the gospel is the plan of salvation, an evangelical is anyone who spreads the Biblical gospel.
By becoming an evangelical, you can show people what Jesus' true words and intentions were – and how important it is to live your life based on Christian ideals, instead of thinking you'll get a "free pass".
