What does our putting on Christ become according to Romans?
According to Romans, putting on Christ becomes His righteousness—God's righteousness, not our own. That righteousness is by the faith or faithfulness of Jesus Christ unto all who believe, covering the believer so God sees Christ, not the person. It happens by God's work, not human effort.
Les explains that the righteousness in view is not our righteousness, because ours is nothing but filthy rags. It is God's righteousness, which is by the faith or faithfulness of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that believe. He illustrates the word "upon" as being draped with a blanket or cloak that totally covers a person. When God looks at the believer, He sees that outer covering, and that covering is Christ. That is what it means to put on Christ: whatever God sees is not me or you, it is Christ. This does not happen by human ability. Les says, "I can't do it," and compares it to trying to crucify oneself, which is impossible. Salvation is the same way—God has to do it, because it is done in the invisible realm, in the Spirit. Then he returns to Romans to conclude that having put on Christ becomes His righteousness, His righteousness.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
More Questions
According to Romans 3:22, who receives God's righteousness and what is added?
Romans 3:22 says God's righteousness is appropriated unto all and upon all them that believe, and the meaning is 'them who believe, plus nothing.'
How is the righteousness of God appropriated in Romans 3:22?
The righteousness of God is appropriated to all who believe, and the text says it is to them who believe 'plus nothing'—no other condition is added.