Imputed and Imparted Righteousness

"'For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.' Matthew 5:20

There are three kinds of righteousness spoken of in the Scriptures. First, inherent righteousness, which none possess by nature today.(Eccles 7:29) Second, imputed righteousness (Romans 4:6), which is the whole of our justification before God. Third imparted righteousness (Eph 4:24), when God the Spirit makes us new creatures.......We agree with J.C. Philpot when he pointed out Matt 5:20 'Christ did not mean an external righteousness wrought out by obedience to the Law for them, but an internal righteousness wrought out by the Holy Spirit in them.'

...The righteousness which will bring men to heaven is not a bare imputed one, but an imputed righteousness which is accompanied by an imparted one. Justification and Sanctification must never be severed: where the former be pronounced, the other (in its fundamental aspect) has already been bestowed.....as the tree is known by its fruits so imputed righteousness can be recognized in no other way than by inward righteousness with its effects in the life."

Arthur Pink