The purpose of God is to create righteous behavior in His people. The purpose of God has not been achieved when only assigned righteousness is possessed by one of His elect.

Assigned righteousness is the gift of God's grace that brings us into favor with God when as yet our behavior is unrighteous. But assigned righteousness does not fulfill the purpose of God in our personality and conduct.

We think with joy of the thief on the cross who was brought to Paradise with Jesus because of his recognition and confession of Jesus' Divine royalty. Such assigned righteousness is wonderful for the thief and we rejoice with him. But God's desire to conform people to the image of Christ was not accomplished in that transaction.

The bells of Heaven ring and there is joy in the presence of the holy angels of God when a prodigal returns home, when a son is restored to his Father. The heavenly rejoicing takes place because of the great love of God for the souls of men. A sinner has come home. But the purpose of God has not been fulfilled when the sinner repents, although repentance is the first step toward accomplishing the Divine purpose.

At this point in our discussion the believer who trusts in Christ for his or her salvation may be stumbling. But let us go on to explain. A little reflection on what we know to be true about God and Heaven, and a thoughtful re-reading of the New Testament, soon will reveal that assigned righteousness is given to us so we may enter the Divine program of redemption that ultimately brings about the purpose of God in the individual: that is, thinking, speech, and behavior that are pleasing to God.

The familiar Lord's prayer itself teaches us that the coming of the Kingdom of God into the earth is the doing of God's will in the earth (Matthew 6:10). This is not referring to assigned righteousness but to righteous behavior. The Kingdom of God brings about righteous behavior.

Will the new world consist of believers who have been forgiven but who still are full of sin and rebellion against God? Or will the new world consist of believers who, being filled with God in Christ, reveal in themselves righteousness of personality and deed?

By righteousness of personality and deed we mean they act justly, show kindness and mercy, and walk humbly with God.

Will the holy city, the new Jerusalem, be filled with "saints" who have received assigned righteousness but who cheat, lie, and steal; who are unmerciful and unforgiving in their attitude toward one another; and who find security, joy and achievement apart from the Lord Jesus Christ?

Do we truly believe that the inhabitants of Heaven and of the new Jerusalem possess assigned righteousness but do not behave righteously?—that unrighteous people will be praising God forever because, while it is true that they have not been transformed morally, God by grace dwells with them in their unrighteousness?

To be continued.