Reason 12: The Joy of Imputed Righteousness

After demonstrating the futility of legalism (a self-righteous dependence on our own law-keeping to earn a right standing with God), Paul now turns to the only way, the only hope, of being reconciled to God: imputed righteousness. To impute means "to credit, to debit, to ascribe, to assign, to lay something to the account of a person." Paul knew that the righteousness that came from him was worthless. His only hope was in the righteousness that comes from God.