What Is Justification? Brought Near To God

Justification is the divine act whereby God declares a sinner righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. This aspect of a disciple's journey is rooted in the promise of the coming restoration of all things. This faith which produces justification recognizes Jesus as the promised Messiah who will restore God's rule and establish His kingdom here on Earth. Human works do not achieve justification by the letter of the law, but by trusting in Jesus' name and His role in God's redemptive plan.

Justification Brings Peace with God

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1

This unsearchable peace signifies the end of enmity between the sinner and the Creator allowing all people, both Jew and Gentile, access to a relationship with the King of the Universe. This is a reconciliation made possible through Christ's bloodshed for us.

Read this nextWhat is Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification?

The Enmity with God: The enmity between humanity and God began in the Garden of Eden. As a result of this original sin, all of humanity inherited a sinful nature and an inherent separation from God. Romans 3:23 confirms this: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This separation is realized through spiritual and physical death and alienation from the Creator.

Reconciliation Through Christ: Justification, achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, brings an end to this enmity and initiates a renewal of relationship with God.

and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.
Colossians 1:20-22

Through Christ's sacrificial death, the curse of sin and death is abolished, and the barrier of sin that separated humanity from God is removed. This reconciliation is a key aspect of justification, where believers are no longer seen as enemies of God but are now in right standing. For us Gentile believers in Jesus, this is an amazing yet sobering reality. We were once without hope of restoration, we had no access to the promises made to Abraham and his descendants, but now we can partake of the blessing promised to Israel.

But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity."
Ephesians 2:13-16

Living in Peace with God: Peace with God affects every aspect of a believer’s life in this present age. It assures us of God's continual guidance as Father now that we are joined with His Son, fostering a deep sense of security and trust until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers to live out this peace while we await that day.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

What is Faith and Belief in Christ?

A person is justified in the sight of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Understanding what faith and belief in Jesus entails is crucial for a holistic understanding of justification.

Faith and Belief Defined: Faith in Jesus Christ involves more than mere intellectual assent to certain truths and facts about Him. It is a profound, internal trust and reliance on Jesus as:

The Son of God who is perfect in all His ways. (Psalm 2)
The Lamb of God who takes the curse of sin away. (Isaiah 53)
The coming Judge who will crush the head of the deceiver. (Genesis 3:15)

This faith is an acknowledgment of our inability to achieve the righteousness of God on our own and a complete dependence on Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection for our justification.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
Romans 5:8-9

Several key elements characterize faith that saves:

Knowledge: Understanding the core truths of the gospel of the kingdom, the reality of our sin, the deity of Jesus Christ, His atoning death, His resurrection, and His coming millennial reign.
Assent: Accepting that these truths are indeed true. James 2:19 acknowledges that even demons believe in God's existence, but their belief does not lead to salvation. Genuine faith goes beyond mere acknowledgment.
Trust: Relying entirely on Jesus Christ for right standing with God, not on personal merit or works. Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Work: Living out a life that reflects the trust in God’s ways of righteousness. James 2:23 “and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,’ and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.”

The Role of Repentance: True faith in Jesus is accompanied by repentance. This is a turning away from dead works and a turning towards God in belief and action. Repentance is a change of mind and heart that shows itself in works of repentance, aligning oneself with God's will.

Faith as a Gift from God: Ephesians 2:8-9 highlights that faith itself is a gift from God. God's grace grants this faith and not earned by human effort.

Living Out Faith: Faith in Jesus results in a transformed life, proved by a lifestyle in obedience to God and the production of good works as a fruit of genuine faith. James 2:17 states, "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself." While works do not justify, they are evidence of a living and active faith.

Imputation of Christ’s Righteousness

A key element of justification is the imputation of Christ's righteousness to the believer. This concept is foundational to understanding how God views those who place their faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, and how through this imputation, one is now set on a path of empowerment to live a life in accordance with God’s eternal will.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21

The imputation of Christ's righteousness involves a twofold “transaction.” Firstly, the sins of man are imputed to Christ. This means that although Christ Himself was sinless, God treated Him as the propitiation for man’s sin, allowing Him to bear the full penalty of sin on our behalf.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.
Isaiah 53:6

Secondly, Christ's perfect righteousness is imputed to us. This means that God credits Christ’s righteousness to our account, treating us as if we had lived the sinless life that Jesus lived and giving all who come to Him a clean slate. This imputed righteousness is not earned but is given as a gift of grace. It is a legal act where God pronounces the believer righteous in His sight.

Preparation for Sanctification and Glorification: This foundational milestone of a believer’s life aligns them with God's righteous standard, as the groundwork, preparing them for a life of sanctification and ultimately glorification in His eternal kingdom. Through justification, believers are made right with God and empowered to live righteously.

Entering into God's Grace Through Justification

Is not the grace of God the giving of His Son as the sacrificial lamb to take away the sins of the world? Yes, and it is through faith that we have access to this grace. Through faith and belief, justification is granted for every believer to enter into God's grace as Paul explains in Romans 5:2.

through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:2

This grace is the unmerited favor of God, granting believers access to His forgiveness and blessings. God's grace is expressed through the giving of His Son, Jesus Christ. This grace is not something humanity earned or deserved; it is the lavishing of God's love and mercy.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.
Ephesians 1:7

Access to the Work of the Cross Through Baptism: The work of the cross is an expression of God's grace where Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world, offering redemption and forgiveness to all who believe. Once we believe in Jesus Christ, we gain access to the work of the cross through baptism. This cleansing ritual is our union with Christ in His death and resurrection.

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.
Romans 6:1-6

Through baptism, believers are buried with Christ and raised to a new life, signifying the end of the old, sinful self and the beginning of newness of life in God’s grace during our stay in this present age. This act of faith brings us into a new relationship with God, where His grace flows abundantly into our lives.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age.
Titus 2:11-12

The Riches of His Grace: Grace also encompasses the richness of God's blessings which includes spiritual growth, strength in trials, and the assurance of eternal life at His coming. Ephesians 1:7-8 further elaborates on the lavishness of God’s grace: The riches of God’s grace are inexhaustible, providing everything we need for life and godliness. It is through His grace that we receive the Holy Spirit who guides, comforts, and empowers us to live in alignment with God's will.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight.
Ephesians 1:7-8

In Closing

The imputation of Christ’s righteousness is a key element of justification, ensuring that believers are seen as righteous before God through His grace and are given the clean slate needed to live holy and righteous as we await the redemption of the body. This divine exchange involves Christ bearing our sins and us receiving His righteousness. Justification brings peace with God, access to His grace, and the assurance of forgiveness which prepares believers for sanctification and glorification. Through one’s faith in Christ, believers are made right with God and empowered to live following His will, reflecting the power of the gospel until He returns.

Maranatha