Which option is NOT listed as a reason believers are considered righteous?

Which option is NOT listed as a reason believers are considered righteous?

• A. They are clothed in Christ's righteousness
• B. They have been created anew in righteousness
• C. They have given themselves to obedience
• D. They are baptized in water

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is how believers become and remain righteous in this tradition: righteousness comes from being united with Christ and undergoing a transformative new birth, then living in obedience to God. Being clothed in Christ’s righteousness expresses the status granted through that union—it's an imputed, accepted righteousness that covers sin because of Christ. Being created anew in righteousness describes the inner change that regenerates a person, turning them toward God and making righteous living possible. When believers give themselves to obedience, they are responding in faith to God’s lordship, letting their choices reflect that new nature and producing the fruit of righteousness. Water baptism, while an important rite that publicly identifies the believer with Christ, is not what itself makes a person righteous; it symbolizes cleansing and initiation but does not confer righteousness on its own.

The main idea here is how believers become and remain righteous in this tradition: righteousness comes from being united with Christ and undergoing a transformative new birth, then living in obedience to God. Being clothed in Christ’s righteousness expresses the status granted through that union—it's an imputed, accepted righteousness that covers sin because of Christ. Being created anew in righteousness describes the inner change that regenerates a person, turning them toward God and making righteous living possible. When believers give themselves to obedience, they are responding in faith to God’s lordship, letting their choices reflect that new nature and producing the fruit of righteousness. Water baptism, while an important rite that publicly identifies the believer with Christ, is not what itself makes a person righteous; it symbolizes cleansing and initiation but does not confer righteousness on its own.