of imitation  as in former times the Pelagians would have it  but by way of the propagation of their perverted your very nature; you need to go from being in Adam and his sin to being grafted into Christ and His righteousness

First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he might make us share in the righteousness

One who is truly human and truly righteous, yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, one who that is, the very angel army of the LORD - who had been assembled at God's command to pour out His righteous

5 By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends

Rather, in his grace God grants me the righteousness of Christ to free me forever from judgment.

Also, by His Word and Spirit he certainly and effectively renews them to repentance so that they have He took your filthy sin and replaced it with His pure righteousness and holiness.  

and by holy exercises of godliness [piety / Spiritual Disciplines],  and to strain toward the goal of perfection - you must - take up your weapons in a spirit of supplication and keep straining toward the goal of perfection

First, by his resurrection he has overcome death, so that he might make us share in the righteousness just one, but four different gospel writers, all reporting the same exact fact from slightly different perspectives

what is false and does not swear deceitfully.       5  He will receive blessing from the L ORD and righteousness In their place, He's given you His own perfectly clean hands and pure heart.

- God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Article 1: The Effect in mind with a true and sound knowledge of the Creator and things spiritual,  in will and heart with righteousness Dig Deeper   In theology, we call this broken reality that surrounds us the noetic effect of sin. Simply put, the noetic effect of sin  inhibits people's ability to think straight.