im·pu·ta·tion

Church family: In the Old Testament, Zechariah has a life-changing vision. Joshua, the high priest, is standing in the presence of God wearing filthy, excrement-stained priestly garments (Zechariah 3:1-7). Joshua’s filthy garments were the exact opposite of what he was supposed to be wearing in the presence of a Holy God. He was supposed to be wearing a very specific holy linen coat and undergarment with a linen sash around his waist (Leviticus 16:4). God could have opposed Joshua and condemned him and cast him out of his presence. He could have struck Joshua dead. But God did not do that. Instead, God poured out His mercy and grace upon Joshua while he was in His presence. God told the angels to remove Zechariah’s filthy garments and to clothe him in “pure vestments.” Zechariah’s vision here is the perfect physical picture of a spiritual reality called imputation. Imputation is an amazing spiritual reality that has been almost forgotten as we delight in and share the gospel. Imputation is when God credits His own righteousness to us.
 
Without Christ, we stand before God spiritually filthy. All of "righteous" works are even filthy rags. But God chooses not to condemn us or cast us out. He instead clothes us in the righteous robe of Christ’s righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). In the same way the Lord spoke to Zechariah, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you and I have clothed you with pure vestments.” That is what happens to us spiritually. Through faith, Christ’s righteousness is credited to us, our filthy garments of sin are forgiven and then we are clothed in pure, holy robes of righteousness. Christ's righteousness is counted as our own through faith. This has been God's intention since before the creation of the world. "Abraham believed and it was counted to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). Those in the Old Testament were made righteous in the same way we are made righteous, through faith by grace in Christ alone.

How does God look upon you today through faith by grace in Christ alone? He sees you without any lack of righteousness. Your righteousness is in heaven, Christ Jesus, at the right hand of God the Father. Your righteousness is the same each and every day forever. Your righteousness does not fade or surge on your spiritual good days and bad days. This amazing truth is for you so that spiritual chains and shackles fall from your life and you rejoice in the grace and love of God. Christ is your righteousness and He is always perfect and sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9-10). Because of Christ's work of imputation, enjoy peace with God that surpasses all understanding in Christ Jesus.