Book Synopsis
As Bible-believing Christians, when we speak of the two kinds of righteousness found in Scripture (the magnificent righteousness of Christ our Savior and our own imperfect righteousness), we usually intend to communicate with great plainness of speech that it is ONLY the righteousness of Jesus Christ that justifies us before God--and never our righteousness.
When we open the Bible (which alone is the Word of God--Sola Scriptura) and begin to set forth the two kinds of righteousness, then we aim to distinguish and separate the perfect and justifying righteousness of Christ alone from our sin-tainted righteousness, which is but filthy rags by comparison--unable to save, justify, or deliver us from God’s just wrath: “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” Isaiah 64:6.
While the Law of God justly demands that every sinner be punished for his / her wickedness, we rejoice that our only Surety and Substitute Jesus Christ freely expiated our sins and propitiated the just wrath of God for us. The righteousness of Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, is a unique righteousness that completely satisfies all of the demands of the Law of God for us.
Praise God that Jesus is our Surety, who expiated our sins. Do you know what the term ‘expiation’ means? Expiation is where Jesus volunteered to be punished for our sins. Expiation is where Jesus substitutes Himself (taking our place), so He would receive the punishment that we justly deserve. Expiation is where Jesus is punished for all of our sins, even though Jesus Himself never sinned. Instead of our guilt being charged to our account, our guilt was charged to Jesus Christ’s account, so Christ could be punished in our stead. Because of expiation, those of us that believe the Gospel cannot be punished--for God’s Law is satisfied--expiation is finished (John 19:20, Hebrews 10:12-17).