#7 Art. III “Righteousness” Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration.Since, however, as we have stated above, it is the obedience of the whole person, it is also a perfect satisfaction and expiation for the human race, by which satisfaction was made unto the eternal, immutable justice of God, which is revealed in the law. And this obedience is our righteousness which avails in the sight of God, which is revealed unto us in the Gospel, upon which our faith rests before God, and which he imputes to faith, as it is written, Rom. 5:19: “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners; so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” And 1 John 1:7: “The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” Again, Rom. 1:17; Habak. 2:4: “The just shall live by faith.”
In this manner neither the divine nor the human nature of Christ by itself is imputed unto us for righteousness, but the obedience of the person alone, who is at the same time God and man. And thus, faith looks upon the person of Christ, as the same was made under the law for us, bore our sins, and when proceeding to the Father, rendered entire and prefect obedience to the heavenly Father, for us poor sinners, from his holy birth unto his death; and thereby covered all our disobedience, which inheres in our nature, in its thoughts, words, and deeds; so that it is no more imputed to us unto condemnation, but is pardoned and remitted through pure grace, for the sake of Christ alone. (Pages 640-641)
