I've developed this line of reasoning...... God speaks, we obey and such is an act of righteousness. Such an action sets us apart and that 'set-apartness' is our personal holiness. God greatly desires us to be 'different' or holy. This is contrast with the world around. Righteousness is the action; holiness the resulting 'state.' The sum total of many actions of righteousness (taking God at His Word and acting accordingly) results in a reputation of holiness. Romans 6:15-19 seems to support this. Paul sums up the passage saying "... so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification" (19d). Distinction made. No wonder "the righteous Lord loveth righteousness." He wants us in practice to be holy as He is holy. Therefore, "obedience" is the key to the Christian life. I must hear His Word, fear God, and behave as He desires. (Read Proverbs 2 where this is outlined as the way to wisdom.) And so we work out our salvation with fear and trembling, all the while deeply grateful for our steadfast position of righteousness IN Christ Jesus. At salvation the believer has imputed or credited to him the righteousness of God IN Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:21..."He (the Father) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." In daily practice the believer in Christ is to practice the above line of reasoning for the sake of a life of righteousness BY Christ Jesus. He is more than willing to give the strength needed to so walk. What a salvation!
