But what does it profit thee now that thou believest all this?
That I am righteous in Christ, before God, and an heir of eternal life.1
How are thou righteous before God?
Only by a true faith in Jesus Christ;2 so that, though my conscience accuse me, that I have grossly transgressed all the commandments of God, and kept none of them,3 and am still inclined to all evil;4 notwithstanding, God, without any merit of mine,5 but only of mere grace,6 grants and imputes to me,7 the perfect satisfaction,8 righteousness and holiness of Christ;9 even so, as if I never had had, nor committed any sin: yea, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience which Christ has accomplished for me;10 inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart.11
2 Rom. 3:21-25, 28; Rom. 5:1 , 2; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8, 9; Philip. 3:9.
7 Rom. 4:4, 5; 2 Cor. 5:19.