Grace and Judgment

Recently, the question of imputed (or accounted) righteousness versus imparted (or practiced) righteousness was brought to my attention. Which is more important? To be called righteous or to actually BE righteous? The answer is both! Without be called righteous, we will not receive what we need in order to BECOME righteous! You can't get good to get God! But when you get the true God, you should follow Him and become transformed into His image, which is always Good. 


What a wondrous and glorious subject! The issue of imputed Grace and righteousness is one that can be highly misunderstood. Yet, once conceived in the mind of the hearer, can never be forgotten. It is the singular fact of propitiation that causes the lost, weary, frustrated and fatigued to become refreshed and worshipful of the Great God who supplied it. 


However two issues that stick out are 1) The question of exactly when Grace became available. My opinion is that Grace began before time existed in the plan and mind of our Creator. The sacrifices of the OT and the journey of Israel were all contingent upon Grace's eventuality of manifestation. This Grace appeared on the Cross at Jesus' death when the veil was torn in two and thus was significant of the newly available entrance by sinful men into the Presence of a Holy and Just God. The mere fact that it was not fully understood by the church at large begs the question of why Ananias and Sapphira received their harsh punishment. My opinion is that they had a greater revelation of Jesus than we do today, having been either part of the first wave of disciples after the Day f Pentecost, or very close in sequence to it. They knew the disciples first hand and were recipients of great revelation of the demonstrable power of God. To whom much is given, much is required. As we seek God, we become accountable to the revelation He imparts to us. 


And that leads me to subject # 2) The application of Grace which imparts righteousness in degrees, after it has been imputed in its fullness. This is where the issue of Ananias comes in. Having known first hand the power and magnificence of the risen Christ, he chose still to disobey and conceal his fault from God. The bible tells us to boldly approach the Throne of Grace. The faith in Christ's substitutionary sacrifice is the only way we, as sinners, could possibly overcome our fear of approaching God's Holy Throne. Grace empowers us to know our status as Mercy's subjects and to use that access to ask God for Grace's overcoming strength.This strength is now no longer imputed righteousness that is intended as a covering, but imparted righteousness that is intended for a practical and evident transformation from the old creature to the new. This is why we cannot judge one another or compare amongst ourselves. We are all in different areas of the metamorphic process. 


The danger is that many, like Ananias, will forgo the impartation because they have received the imputation. This lacks faith (which is the means of justification through which Grace is complete) and requires God's Judgment of sin according to that lack of desire to please God. So, in conclusion, the covering of Grace is intended to grant us access to that which would transform us into a state of righteous practice rather than simply having righteous status. And as we grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, we should walk according to faith and the desire to be worthy of the calling of righteous His Blood applied to our undeserving souls.