We received the innocence of Jesus!!

We received the innocence of Jesus. This is about “imputed righteousness”

Generally “to impute” means to legally attach to a person liability for the acts of someone else, because of a particular relationship, such as mother to child, guardian to ward, employer to employee, or business between associates.

Imputed righteousness is a concept in Christian teaching which proposes that the "righteousness of Christ is imputed to believers” — that is, we are treated as if we are not guilty on the basis of our relationship with God, as our Father in Jesus Christ.

It is on the basis of this "heavenly" righteousness freely given to us that God adopts sinners to become his children and find them “not guilty” in spite of their sin and disobedient lives.

2 Corinthians 5: 21 is about imputed righteousness.  It says “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

The Bible teaches that we are found not guilty by God on the grounds of the righteousness of Christ imputed or transferred to us, because we have a faith relationship with God in Jesus Christ.  Christ's righteousness – his perfect life and obedience to death - was transferred to us. It is as if I have been perfectly obedient and if I am as righteous as Christ himself – without sin, or shame. 

Notice what God has done: He has satisfied both his justice and his mercy. Sin is punished in Christ and grace is shown to the sinner. 

During the Lenten Season that begins next Wednesday, we will see Christ punished for our sins.   And we will see ourselves clothed with Christ's perfect obedience.