One may say, there have been outstanding saints under the new covenant, such as Peter, Paul, and then Andrew Murray of South Africa. True. But these men actually were saints, not because they were justified by imputed (ascribed) righteousness but because they demonstrated in their personalities the same qualities of sainthood that were true of the saints of the old covenant. Saints are never saints by imputation (assigned righteousness), only by practicing righteousness, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.

Christ is perfect in all the attributes God desires for man (and no one can deny that). But so often the impression is given that the Christians, the disciples of Christ, the brothers of Christ can continue in indecision, lukewarmness, refusal to do God's will, self-centeredness, foolishness, prayerlessness, and still be approved of God, still be brothers of the Lord. Their behavior does not matter because Christ's righteousness is imputed (ascribed) to them.

If this were the case, God would be building for Himself a very flimsy house. There would be little substance to it. It would be righteous and holy in name only.

It is taught commonly that God will return to the old covenant to obtain His two witnesses (Revelation, Chapter 11). This conveys the idea that the new covenant is unable to produce the saintly character brought forth under the old covenant. It is interesting that Christian scholars would go back to the old covenant to obtain the most powerful witnesses of the Christian Era.

The believers of today have developed a pre-tribulation "rapture" so they may be carried off to Heaven in order to escape the great tribulation and the reign of Antichrist. We do not think Elijah or Elisha would have any need to escape from either tribulation or the Antichrist. They were accustomed to living by a miracle and to exercising vengeance on their enemies. Yet, they served God under a lesser covenant, not even having been born again.

But doesn't the New Testament teach that Christ is our righteousness and our sanctification and that we cannot save ourselves by works of righteousness? Yes, it surely does. But our conclusion from this, that there is no need to walk in righteousness and holiness, to be godly as were Abraham and Moses, is erroneous. It is not the conclusion of Paul or of the other writers. Paul warns us again and again that if we continue in our old ways we will die spiritually; we never will inherit the Kingdom of God (Romans 8:13; Galatians 5;21; Ephesians 5:5).

There have been, and yet are, many distinguished saints who have served God as diligently under the new covenant as did any man or woman under the old. In fact, the new covenant is designed to make us more righteous (in reality, not by ascribed righteousness), not less righteous in personality and behavior, than the saints of the old covenant.

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20)

To be continued.