We should realize that sin is not only transgression of the Law. Sin is also unrighteousness, or as John wrote, all unrighteousness is sin. There is unrighteousness that does not transgres the Law. In fact, the Law does an incomplete job of defining sin. And according to Paul, the Law actually intakes us to sin in the first place, and then proceeds to make our sin increase so that it becomes exceedingly sinful. Both apostles conclude that righteousness is not of the Law, that the Law was not given for the sake of righteousness, nor even to instruct us in righteousness.
So how does one become righteous? Is it even possible, other than imputed righteousness?
Yes!!! We are righteous by our birth in and of and by the Holy Spirit. We are the children of God now! But, it has not yet appeared what we shall become. Do we understand this? We are now, this minute, born of God and seen by Him as His children. But we have not finished the transformation. There is much left to be done to complete us in the image of Jesus Christ, who is our pattern. One of the last changes we will undergo is the redemption of our flesh, when this corruption will be put off in order for us to put on glory.
As born children of God, we do not sin. Huh? Well, we mist still consider that we are not completed works yet, that we are still being changed into His image. A part of us is perfect, our spirits. But our souls need a lot of work. This is why all of the exhortations in scripture to strive for holiness. But we know that holiness is not something gained by the Law, because holiness is perfect, and the one who is holy will not practice unrighteousness.
God, in His wisdom and in His provision, has given is the Holy Spirit to live in us, not just as the seal of our being born into His family, but as the power of God for our holiness. In the Spirit, we have the very mind of Christ, and we can know all things. But even as the Spirit is true, and teaches us all things, He teaches us to love in Christ Jesus. And the reason we are to love in Him is so that wemay have confidence in the day of His appearing, and not shrink away from Him in shame.
This is so important. If we abide in the Law, we might not transgress, but we will not have righteousness, because if righteousness could be gained by the Law, then Jesus died in vain. But if we love in Jesus, (which means that we are centered on Him, walking before Him, following His leading and listening for His voice,) then we are righteous already. And we will, in Jesus, find ourselves drawn to God with cords of the love God showed the world in sending Jesus. And Jesus will constantly intercede for us as we draw nearer to God. And in God's presence, we are transformed by His glory in our souls into His image.
Read the bible with these thoughts in mind and see if it does not speak so.
In Christ,