What is the meaning of Justification in the Bible?
The biblical term “justify” means to declare righteousness.
In Christian theology, God’s problem in redeeming man was how to justify the sinner without condoning sin or justifying his sins. God could never compromise in judgment.
The law and justice demand the death sentence for every sin.
Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
The mercy of God yearns to rescue the offender in the interest of love.
In human court, the judge is supposed to “justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.”
Deuteronomy 25:1 If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
The Justification of Sinners
The question that faced the Godhead was: “Since “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”, what man could keep the law perfectly?
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
God’s solution was to send to this earth His Son, the sinless man Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life, die a sacrificial death, that we may gain eternal life and righteousness.
Once finished, that righteousness could be offered as a free gift to a believing sinner.
Definition Of Justification
Justification is being declared righteous before God.
The basis of justification is the sinner puts on the righteousness of Jesus Christ at salvation, and God sees him as perfect in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. God sees the sinner justified in the Savior, hidden in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The doctrine of justification is a judicial act of God whereby those who put faith in Christ are declared righteous in His eyes and free from guilt and punishment.
If we are working to get to heaven, our faith is unrighteous.
Romans 4:3-5 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Contents Of Justification
The following will improve our understanding of justification.
- The forgiveness of sin and the removal of its guilt and punishment.
For a holy, perfect God to overlook sin and forgive is not a small matter. The truth is that God actually delights in forgiving and cleansing iniquity, but He has to have a basis on which to do so. In the Old Testament, the basis was the shed blood of bulls and goats.
Although God could forgive and remit sin in the Old Testament, He couldn’t clear the guilty sinner until Christ came and died on Calvary’s cross.Micah 7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
With justification, all the believers’ sins are forgiven and the guilt and punishment are removed.
There is a vast difference between the modern “feeling-experimental-spiritual lifestyle” Christian, and the blood-bought, justified child of God in whom the Lord Jesus Christ lives. One has let Christ into his heart to fix up his life so he can be a good little boy and work his way to Heaven. The other is a man in whom Jesus Christ lives; he is crucified with Christ and he lives; nevertheless, he doesn’t live but Christ lives in him.Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. - The imputation of Christ’s righteousness
To “impute” is to account for or charge somebody with something (or charge something to their account).
With imputation, the sinner is charged with Christ’s righteousness, and Jesus Christ is charged with his sins.2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
The forgiven sinner is not like a discharged prisoner who has served his term and is discharged from further punishment but with no rights of citizenship. In Christ Jesus, the sinner is forgiven, released, and given the full rights of citizenship.
Romans 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
The perfect, holy righteousness of the sinless Savior is imputed to the sinner. That is why, this is also the grace of justification. We do not deserve this.
Condition Of Justification
– Faith –
The sinner cries, “How can I receive the gift of righteousness?”
The answer is, justification by faith, i.e. by believing.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Means of Justification
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By God
He is the Author of justification.
Romans 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
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Justification by grace
Grace is the foundational source of justification. That’s why “by grace through faith” is mentioned so many times.
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
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By God’s blood
Blood is the foundation or ground of justification.
Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
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By God’s resurrection
Resurrection is the acknowledgment or proclamation of justification
Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Evidence Of Justification
– Good Works –
The one who is truly justified should manifest this fact in his good works.
This passage shows the proper relationship between real faith and works. By faith we are justified, but after that, our Christian life should strive to be a righteous life that manifests good works.
James 2:21-23 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
This does not mean that without works, we are not saved as that would be a Lordship salvation heresy. A saved believer has the choice of whether or not they want to show the evidence of justification. This is an important biblical doctrine, Good works are not always manifested in a justified sinner.
Results Of Justification
1. Peace
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Peace of conscience through the mercy of God.
Peace of heart through the love of God.
Peace of mind through the truth of God.
Peace of soul through the presence of God.
Peace the world cannot take
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
2. Access into the presence of God for worship, praise, and petition
Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Access into favor with God – a new standing through justification.
3. Tribulation
Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
cf 2 Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Qualities Of Justification
1. We are justified judicially by God.
Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
2. We are justified meritoriously by Christ.
Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
3. We are justified meditatively by faith.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
We are justified evidentially by works.
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?