Chapter 10—Righteousness Provided Through
Atonement
It was evident to him that the law did not abate one jot of its justice,
but through the atoning sacrifice, through the imputed righteousness
of Christ, the repentant sinner stands justified before the law.
Christ bore the penalty that would have fallen upon the trans-
gressor; and through faith the helpless, hopeless sinner becomes a
partaker of the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the
world through lust. Christ imputes His perfection and righteousness to
the believing sinner when he does not continue in sin, but turns from
transgression to obedience of the commandments.—
The Review and
Herald, May 23, 1899
.
[468]
The only One who could with hope approach God in humanity
was the only begotten Son of God. That sinful, repentant human
beings might be received by the Father, and clothed with the robe
of righteousness, Christ came to the earth, and made an offering of
such value that He redeemed the race. Through the sacrifice made on
Calvary is offered to everyone the sanctification of grace.—
Letter 67,
1902
.
It is only through faith in Christ that sinners may have the righ-
teousness of Christ imputed unto them, and that they may be “made the
righteousness of God in him.” Our sins were laid on Christ, punished
in Christ, put away by Christ, in order that His righteousness might
be imputed to us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Al-
though sin was charged to His account on our behalf, yet He remained
perfectly sinless.—
The Signs of the Times, May 30, 1895
.
The Lord made a full and complete sacrifice upon the cross, the
shameful cross, that men might be complete in the great and precious
gift of His righteousness. We have God’s pledge that He will bind
men closely to His great heart of infinite love in the bonds of the
new covenant of grace. All who will give up their hope of paying for
their salvation, or earning it, and will come to Jesus just as they are,
unworthy, sinful, and fall upon His merits, holding in their plea the
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