Philippians 3:9
and be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith
Romans 4:5
To him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
These verses should not be interpreted as opposing obedience to the Law or as nullifying personal righteousness for final salvation. These passages speak primarily of the forgiveness of sins granted by God to the one who believes in Christ. Faith is recognized as righteousness, not because it replaces obedience, but because it allows the sinner to enter into a reconciled relationship with God.
Philippians 3:9 highlights a righteousness not based on the works of the Law, but on faith in Christ, that is, on trust in his redemptive work which offers forgiveness. Similarly, Romans 4:6, quoting David, Paul emphasizes the blessedness of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works, indicating forgiveness and grace received by faith.
However, these texts do not reject obedience: True faith rooted produces ripe fruit of obedience to the Law. Movements that teach that faith excludes obedience to the Law distort the biblical message, for grace forgives sins, but it also calls one to walk in righteousness, in harmony with the will of God in complete holiness without sin.
All passages in the Gospels and apostolic writings that refer to the forgiveness of sins for salvation begun are interpreted by the reforming and contemporary movements as salvation completed by faith in Christ.
The message of Paul has been tragically emptied of its power by those who pretend that faith removes the obligation of personal holiness. But biblical righteousness is never passive. God imputes righteousness to the believer at the moment of forgiveness, yet He demands that this righteousness be manifested, embodied, and perfected through a life of complete obedience. To claim justification while continuing to live in sin is to deny the very purpose of Christ’s work. Paul rejects both legalistic righteousness and lawless faith. True righteousness is neither self-produced nor imaginary it is the moral transformation produced by grace, evidenced by a holy life without sin. Any doctrine that separates righteousness by faith from righteousness in conduct creates a false gospel that neither saves nor sanctifies.