The Christian life is a journey of transformation, beginning with the moment of salvation and continuing throughout a believer’s life. This transformation, often described in theological terms as imputed and imparted righteousness, reflects the profound change that occurs when a person moves from being “in Adam” to being “in Christ.” This change, rooted in the gospel of grace and received through faith, is both instantaneous and progressive, involving a legal declaration of righteousness and a lifelong process of sanctification. This essay explores these twin aspects of the Christian experience, drawing on a broad range of scriptural support to highlight the nature and implications of this transformation.
Word Count: 2209 / Time to read: 12 minutes
From Adam to Christ: The Imputed Change
All humanity is born “in Adam,” a state characterized by sin and separation from God. Romans 5:12 states, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” This verse encapsulates the doctrine of original sin, which teaches that all are born with a sinful nature inherited from Adam. However, the gospel offers a remedy to this condition through the work of Jesus Christ. When an individual receives and believes the gospel, they are transferred from being “in Adam” to being “in Christ.”
This transfer is often described as imputed righteousness. Imputation is a legal term, meaning that Christ’s righteousness is credited to the believer’s account. Romans 4:22-24 illustrates this concept: “This is why ‘it was credited to him as righteousness.’ The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” Here, the apostle Paul draws on the example of Abraham, whose faith was credited to him as righteousness. In the same way, the believer’s faith results in the righteousness of Christ being credited to their account.
William MacDonald, in The Believer’s Bible Commentary, notes that “imputed righteousness is not something inherent in us, but a righteousness that belongs to Christ and is reckoned to us.” This imputed righteousness is not based on any works or merit of the believer but solely on the grace of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” This grace-based salvation is the foundation of the believer’s new identity in Christ. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Charles Ryrie emphasizes the critical nature of this imputed righteousness in the believer’s standing before God, explaining that “imputation is a divine act where God credits the righteousness of Christ to the believer, making them acceptable in His sight, not based on any inherent righteousness of their own” (Basic Theology). This underscores the believer’s complete dependence on Christ’s righteousness for their justification before God.
This imputed change, while immediate and complete, is not the end of the story. It sets the stage for the imparted change, a process of transformation that takes place over the believer’s lifetime as they grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The Process of Sanctification: The Imparted Change
While imputed righteousness refers to the believer’s legal standing before God, imparted righteousness speaks to the actual transformation of the believer’s life. This transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies the believer, conforming them to the image of Christ. Sanctification is both a positional reality and a progressive experience. Hebrews 10:10 captures the positional aspect: “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” However, the same chapter also highlights the ongoing nature of sanctification in verse 14: “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
In The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Walvoord and Zuck explain that “sanctification is the process by which the believer is gradually set apart for God’s purposes and conformed to the image of Christ.” This ongoing process of being made holy involves the believer’s active participation in the work of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:22-24 exhorts believers to “put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” This passage emphasizes the believer’s responsibility to cooperate with the Holy Spirit by rejecting sin and embracing the new life in Christ.
The Scofield Study Bible further clarifies that “sanctification is the Holy Spirit’s work in us, whereby He produces in the believer a holiness of life in practical conformity to the will of God.” The apostle Paul frequently uses the metaphor of clothing to describe this process. In Romans 13:14, he writes, “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” Similarly, in Colossians 3:9-10, Paul urges believers to “take off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
This process of sanctification is a lifelong journey, marked by growth in Christlikeness. Philippians 2:12-13 underscores the cooperative nature of this process: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Here, Paul highlights the believer’s responsibility to actively pursue spiritual growth while also acknowledging that it is ultimately God who enables them to do so.
The Role of Assurance and Encouragement
In the midst of this process, believers may experience struggles with sin and feelings of inadequacy. Romans 7:19-20 captures Paul’s own struggle: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” This struggle is a common experience for believers, as they contend with the remnants of their old nature.
However, believers are not left to struggle alone. The Holy Spirit provides the strength and guidance needed to overcome sin and grow in righteousness. Galatians 5:16 offers this assurance: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” As believers yield to the Spirit’s leading, they experience the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
In addition to the work of the Holy Spirit, the encouragement of fellow believers plays a vital role in the process of sanctification. Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts the church to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” This mutual encouragement helps believers to persevere in their faith, knowing that they are not alone in their struggles.
The assurance of God’s love and faithfulness is also crucial in sustaining believers through the process of sanctification. Romans 8:38-39 declares, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This unshakable love provides the foundation for the believer’s confidence and hope, even in the face of trials and temptations.
Living Out the New Identity in Christ
Understanding the change from being “in Adam” to being “in Christ” has profound implications for how believers live their lives. This new identity is not merely a theological concept; it is a reality that should shape every aspect of a believer’s life. As Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Living out this new identity involves both a rejection of the old self and an embrace of the new life in Christ. Colossians 3:1-3 captures this dual focus: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” This heavenly perspective enables believers to live with purpose and direction, knowing that their ultimate destiny is with Christ.
The new identity in Christ also brings with it new responsibilities. Ephesians 2:10 reminds believers that “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” These good works are not the basis of salvation but the outworking of the new life in Christ. They are a natural expression of the transformation that has taken place and a demonstration of God’s grace at work in the believer’s life.
Finally, the new identity in Christ includes a call to extend God’s love to others. 1 John 4:19-21 emphasizes the connection between the believer’s relationship with God and their relationship with others: “We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” This call to love others is a central aspect of the believer’s new identity in Christ and a key marker of spiritual maturity.
Conclusion
The change from being “in Adam” to being “in Christ” is a profound and multifaceted transformation that encompasses both a legal declaration of righteousness and a progressive impartation of righteousness throughout the believer’s life. This transformation, rooted in the grace of God and sustained by the work of the Holy Spirit, is the foundation of the believer’s new identity in Christ.
Understanding this change is essential for living a victorious Christian life. It provides the assurance needed to persevere through struggles and the motivation to pursue holiness. It also calls believers to live out their new identity in Christ, embracing the good works God has prepared for them and extending His love to others.
As believers, we are called to encourage one another in this journey, reminding each other of the privileged status we have in Christ and spurring one another on to greater levels of faith and obedience. As we do so, we fulfill the command of Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
In Christ, we have been given everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Let us, therefore, press on in the process of sanctification, confident that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).
Footnotes:
- Imputed Change:
- Romans 5:12 – Sin entered the world through Adam, bringing death to all.
- Romans 4:22-24 – Righteousness is credited to those who believe in God.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 – Salvation by grace through faith, not by works.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Believers are new creations in Christ.
- Imparted Change and Sanctification:
- Hebrews 10:10, 14 – Sanctification is both a positional reality and a progressive work.
- Ephesians 4:22-24 – Believers are to put off the old self and put on the new.
- Romans 13:14 – Clothe yourselves with Christ, avoiding the desires of the flesh.
- Colossians 3:9-10 – The new self is being renewed in the image of its Creator.
- Philippians 2:12-13 – Work out your salvation with God working in you.
- Struggles and Assurance:
- Romans 7:19-20 – Paul’s struggle with sin highlights the believer’s ongoing battle.
- Galatians 5:16, 22-23 – Walking by the Spirit prevents gratifying the flesh; the fruit of the Spirit.
- Hebrews 10:24-25 – Encouragement within the church helps believers persevere.
- Romans 8:38-39 – Nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ.
- Living Out the New Identity in Christ:
- Galatians 2:20 – Believers live by faith in Christ, who lives in them.
- Colossians 3:1-3 – Believers are to set their minds on heavenly things.
- Ephesians 2:10 – Created in Christ Jesus to do good works.
- 1 John 4:19-21 – The call to love others as evidence of loving God.
Recommended Resources:
Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald:
- MacDonald, William. Believer’s Bible Commentary. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck:
- Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
Scofield Reference Bible Notes:
- Scofield, C. I. The Scofield Reference Bible: Notes. New York: Oxford University Press, 1909.
Ryrie Study Bible by Charles C. Ryrie:
- Ryrie, Charles C. Ryrie Study Bible: Expanded Edition. Chicago: Moody Press, 1995.
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
