The Robe of Christ's Righteousness

The great error pastors confront in the church is the notion, held by even the most devout of souls, that heaven is gained by our good deeds weighed in the balance of God's judgment. In other words, most believe salvation is by works, and based upon the individual's personal holiness. This is view is not taught in Scripture, quite the opposite.

One is right to point to the great judgment to come, when God will judge each person according to his or her works. "God will give to each person according to what he has done" (Romans 2:6). For the unbeliever this means judgment and punishment, but for the believer it means an evaluation which will determine his or her experience of heavenly glory. For the believer is judged on his sanctification, not his justification. The Christian stands before God at the great judgment clothed not in his own filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), but in the robe of Christ's perfect righteousness. As we read in Isaiah 61:10, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness." The robe of Christ's righteousness is placed around us, and we are deemed holy in God's sight. Our faith is in Christ, not in our faith, nor in our holiness ~ hence our joy.