What Is Imputation?

Simply put it is the manner by which the elect are justified. Now I know that romans say, "The just shall live by faith.", and that is absolutely true,but now we are getting into the fine tuning of our salvation. The sacrifice of Jesus paid the penalty for sin but, what does that do for me or anyone els who commit sins afterward. How is it that we do not fall once again the first time we sin even after being saved? And if we were to fall after being exonerated by the blood of Jesus, what sacrifice remains for us? Would we not be doomed to a farther extent that before with no hope at all for redemption? In steps imputation.
Just as Adam imputed sin to us, Jesus as our federal head imputes righteousness to us, making us fulling justified in the sight of God. Because his righteousness is perpetual and complete, we remain justified. In other words, as long as Jesus is righteous, we are righteous because, it is not our righteousness that justifies but His. Without imputation we are left to our own devices to remain justified and therefor are doomed to eternal punishment the very first time iniquity is found in us. If we could not atone for our own sin before, why would we have any hope to do so after? The answer is of course that we could not. That is why we put on the righteousness of Jesus. That is why it is not unjust of God to see someone who has committed a sin as justified. It is not us who are holy and perfect but Jesus, so God is perfectly right to declare himself righteous and wholly good for His own name's sake in Jesus, imparted to us, perpetually for all eternity.
If we died with Him and are raised in him, will we not be glorified in Him? If we are glorified in Him, can iniquity ever be found in that Glory? Of course not. His glory is forever. That is why even after His return sin can never again enslave those redeemed from it by our Lord.
I know it's a little deep for some but, it is the foundation for our hope in the promises of God. That's the kind of hope that strengthens the elect through all trials and tribulations even unto death. Be of good cheer, He has overcome the world!