Justificaton

What is justification? What does it mean to be justified?

Theopedia online defines biblical Justification like this:

Justification is the doctrine that God pardons, accepts, and declares a sinner to be "just" on the basis of Christ's righteousness (Romans 3:24-26; 4:25; 5:15-21) which results in God's peace (Romans 5:1), His Spirit (Romans 8:4), and salvation. Justification is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ apart from all works and merit of the sinner (Romans 1:18-3:28).

We can look for justification in our actions if we try to find a moral purpose in the things we do or the positions we take, or we can determine our own justification in a matter if we see ourselves as fair and right and we are not as bad as someone else, or if we compare ourselves against someone else. One thing will remain constant, sin is always present.

2 Corinthians 10:12 (NKJV)

¹² For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

Understanding the doctrine of justification is important for a Christian. From the outset, it is the very knowledge of justification and of grace that motivates us to good works and spiritual growth; thus, justification leads to sanctification. Also, the fact that justification is the finished work of Christ means that Christians have assurance of their salvation. In God’s eyes, believers have the righteousness of Christ Himself.

Justification is the completed work of Christ, and it is instantaneous, as opposed to sanctification, which is an ongoing process of growth by which we become more Christlike (the act of “being saved”).

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)

¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Once a man or woman is justified, there is nothing else they need to do in order to gain God’s favor. Since justification comes by faith in Christ, based on His work on our behalf, our own works are disqualified as a means of salvation.

Romans 3:28 (NKJV)

²⁸ Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

There exists vast religious systems with complex theologies that teach the false doctrine of justification by works, they are teaching “a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all”

The word ‘Gospel’ comes from the Greek word  εὐαγγέλιον, euangelion (eu- "good", -angelion "message") it actually means good message or good news.  If justification is by our works, then there really isn’t any ‘good news’ contained in this type of belief system because we would be working out the details of our own salvation by our own efforts. 

Galatians 1:6-7 (NKJV)

⁶ I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, ⁷ which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Without an understanding of justification by faith alone, we cannot truly perceive the glorious gift of grace—God’s “unmerited favor” becomes “merited” in our minds, and we begin to think we deserve salvation. The doctrine of justification by faith helps us maintain a pure devotion to Christ and His completed work on the cross.

2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV)

³ But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Holding to justification by faith keeps us from falling for the lie that we can earn God’s favor. There is no ritual, no sacrament, no deed that can make us worthy of the righteousness of Christ. It is only by His grace, in response to faith, that God has credited to us the holiness of His Son. Both Old and New Testaments say, “The just shall live by faith”.

Hebrews 10:38 (NKJV)

³⁸ Now the just shall live by faith;

But if anyone draws back,

My soul has no pleasure in him.”

(Also see: Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11).

Simply put, to justify is to declare one righteous, to make one right with God. Justification is God’s declaration to those who receive Christ that they are righteous, based on Christ’s righteousness being imputed to the accounts of those who receive Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21(NKJV)

²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Though justification as a principle is found throughout Scripture, the main passage describing justification is this one in Romans:

Romans 3:21-26 (NKJV)

²¹ But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, ²² even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, ²⁶ to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

This short video below illustrates the power of justification and what it means to receive a gift of freedom so great that we could never repay... (press the right arrow button below to play).

We are justified, declared righteous, at the moment of our salvation. Justification does not make us righteous, but rather declares us righteous. Our righteousness comes from placing our faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ. His sacrifice covers all of our sin, past, present, and future, allowing God to see us as perfect and unblemished. Because as believers, we are in Christ. God sees Christ's own righteousness when He looks at us. This meets God's demands for perfection; thus, He proclaims us righteous—He justifies us.

Romans 5:18-19 (NKJV)

¹⁸ Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. ¹⁹ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

It is because of justification that the peace of God can rule in our lives. It is because of justification that believers can have assurance of salvation. It is the fact of justification that enables God to begin the process of sanctification—the process by which God makes us in reality what we already are positionally.

Romans 5:1 (NKJV)

⁵ Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Justification by faith is what separates biblical Christianity from all other belief systems. In every religion, and in some errant branches of what is called “Christianity,” man is still attempting to work his way to God. Only in true, biblical Christianity is man saved as a result of grace through faith. Only when we rely on Jesus Christ as He is revealed in the bible do we see that justification is by faith, set apart from works.

May you know the depth, width, height, and breadth of the justification offered to you by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  And may you grow deep in your understanding that He bought you with an enormous price that you might live free from the bondage of sin, to reach your highest potential in Him.

Stephen Barnett

God is good all the time―all the time God is good!

(press the right arrow button below on the left of the screen to play music video).

Leeland: The Live Sessions - "I Wonder"

I Wonder

Written by:  Mindi Beth Abair / Matthew W Hager

At the stars in the night, I wonder

At Your lightning in the sky, I shudder

Your glory is a blanket that covers

Every living thing

And it feels like there's not enough praise inside of me

With all these words, all my heart can sing is holy

You are holy

Jesus Christ

You bled Your love, laid down Yourself

And gave me life

In naked shame You hung and You were lifted high

Here I lay in awe and wonder

I am afraid

For no one's ever sacrificed and loved me this way

So on my face I fall under Your heavy grace

Here I lay in awe and wonder

ooh ooh And I wonder

I'm in awe at the majesty of who You are

Your love is a seal burnt inside my heart

All of the day I want to be where You are

Holy Father

And it feels like there's not enough praise inside of me

With all these words, all my heart can sing is holy

You are holy

Jesus Christ

You bled Your love, laid down Yourself

And gave me life

In naked shame You hung and You were lifted high

Here I lay in awe and wonder

I am afraid

For no one's ever sacrificed and loved me this way

So on my face I fall under Your heavy grace

Here I lay in awe and wonder

ooh ooh And I wonder

ooh ooh And I wonder

Jesus Christ

You bled Your love, laid down Yourself

And gave me life

In naked shame You hung and You were lifted high

Here I lay in awe and wonder

I am afraid

For no one's ever sacrificed and loved me this way

So on my face I fall under Your heavy grace

Here I lay in awe and wonder

ooh ooh And I wonder

ooh ooh And I wonder

© 2011 Universal Music Publishing Group

Thank you to the “gotquestions.org” website for inspiration and insight into the topic of Justification by faith

The music above is copyrighted by the respective artists and is presented here for educational purposes only and not for profit.