How Does God Impute His Righteousness to Us in Orthodox Christianity?
In Orthodox Christianity, the concept of righteousness is central to understanding the relationship between God and humanity. Unlike some Western Christian traditions that emphasize the legal or forensic aspect of righteousness, Orthodoxy views righteousness as a transformative process that is deeply rooted in the life of the Church and the believer’s personal relationship with God. The question of how God imputes His righteousness to us is intricately tied to the Orthodox understanding of salvation, grace, and sanctification. How Does God Impute His Righteousness to Us in Orthodox Christianity?
What is God’s Righteousness?
In Orthodox theology, God’s righteousness is not simply a moral quality or an abstract attribute. It is the very nature of God Himself, manifested in His actions and in His relationship with creation. God’s righteousness is His perfect goodness, holiness, and love, which are revealed to us through His interactions with humanity. This righteousness is fully expressed in the person of Jesus Christ, who is both fully God and fully man.
Imputation vs. Participation
A key distinction in Orthodox theology is the difference between imputation and participation. In many Western Christian traditions, particularly within Protestantism, the idea of righteousness being imputed to believers is often understood in a legal sense—God declares a person righteous because of their faith in Christ, and this righteousness is credited to their account. However, Orthodoxy approaches this differently.
Orthodox Christianity
In Orthodoxy, while the term “imputation” can be used, it is not understood in the same legalistic terms. Instead, it refers to God’s act of grace, where He begins the process of making us righteous. This is not merely a legal declaration but the start of a transformative journey where the believer is healed and restored to the image and likeness of God. God’s righteousness is imputed to us in the sense that it is given freely by His grace, initiating our transformation and sanctification.
Participation in God’s Righteousness
More importantly, Orthodox Christianity emphasizes participation in God’s righteousness. This means that believers are called to actively participate in the life of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Through the sacraments, prayer, fasting, and living a life according to the teachings of Christ, we partake in God’s divine nature. As St. Peter writes in his second epistle, believers are “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). This participation is a synergistic process where the believer cooperates with God’s grace, leading to genuine transformation.
The Role of the Sacraments
Sacraments in the Orthodox Church are vital channels through which believers receive God’s grace and participate in His righteousness. Each sacrament is a means by which the Holy Spirit works within us to conform us to the image of Christ.
Baptism and Chrismation
In Baptism, the believer is united with Christ in His death and resurrection, which marks the beginning of their life in Christ and their journey toward righteousness. Chrismation follows Baptism, where the believer receives the Holy Spirit, who strengthens and guides them in their Christian life. Through these sacraments, God’s righteousness begins to be imparted to the believer, not merely as a legal status but as a new life in Christ.
The Eucharist
The Eucharist is the central sacrament of Orthodox worship, where believers partake of the Body and Blood of Christ. In the Eucharist, the faithful are mystically united with Christ and with one another, receiving His life and righteousness. This sacrament is not just a symbol but a real participation in the life of Christ, continually nourishing and sanctifying the believer.
Confession and Repentance
Confession and Repentance are also crucial in the Orthodox understanding of imputed righteousness. Through repentance, we turn away from sin and return to God, seeking His mercy and forgiveness. In Confession, the believer is reconciled with God and the Church, and God’s righteousness is restored in their life. This ongoing process of repentance is part of the journey of theosis—becoming more like God.
Theosis: Becoming Partakers of Divine Nature
The Orthodox concept of theosis (deification) is central to understanding how God’s righteousness is imputed to us. Theosis is the process by which a person becomes more like God, sharing in His divine nature. This is the ultimate goal of the Christian life in Orthodoxy—to be united with God and to reflect His righteousness in every aspect of our being.
Theosis is not a passive process; it requires active participation in the life of the Church and a continuous striving to live according to God’s will. It involves a lifelong commitment to prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and the pursuit of virtue. As we grow in our relationship with God, His righteousness becomes more evident in our lives, not as something externally applied, but as something that transforms us from within.
Conclusion
In Orthodox Christianity, God’s righteousness is imputed to us not merely as a legal declaration but as a transformative gift of grace. This righteousness is something we actively participate in through the sacraments, prayer, and living a life of holiness. It is a journey of becoming more like Christ, where we grow in His likeness and share in His divine nature.
The Orthodox understanding of righteousness goes beyond legalism and into the heart of what it means to be united with God. Through theosis, we are called to be partakers of God’s divine nature, continually transformed by His grace and love. This is the true meaning of imputed righteousness in Orthodoxy—a dynamic and living relationship with God that leads to our ultimate salvation.
