Justification is the act of God declaring a sinner righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a legal act whereby God pronounces a guilty sinner innocent on the basis of Christ’s righteousness. Justification is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Bible teaches that all people are sinners (Romans 3:23) and are therefore guilty before God (Romans 3:19). Because God is perfectly holy and righteous, He cannot tolerate sin or fellowship with sinners. God’s perfect justice demands that sin be punished. However, God in His grace provided a way of salvation through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, as a substitute sacrifice for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). All who repent and believe in Jesus are justified – declared righteous before God (Romans 5:1).
There are several key aspects to the doctrine of justification:
- Justification is an instantaneous legal act, not a process. God declares the sinner righteous the moment they trust in Christ (Romans 5:1).
- Justification is by grace through faith, not by works. There is nothing we can do to earn or merit justification (Ephesians 2:8-9). Even faith itself is a gift from God.
- The ground of justification is the righteousness of Christ. God declares us righteous because He imputes (credits) Christ’s perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice to our account (Romans 5:19).
- Justification means pardon for sin and freedom from its penalty. Through faith in Christ, we are forgiven and no longer condemned by God (Romans 8:1).
- In justification, righteousness is imputed, not infused. We are counted righteous despite still struggling with sin. Our own righteousness is never the basis for our justification (Philippians 3:9).
- Justification results in reconciliation with God. Through Christ, we who were formerly enemies of God become His beloved children (Romans 5:10).
- Good works always follow justification but are never the root cause of it. Works confirm but do not cause our justification (James 2:14-26).
The doctrine of justification by faith alone was a major emphasis of the Protestant Reformation. Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin contended that the medieval Roman Catholic Church had obscured the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. The Reformers taught that we are justified by faith alone apart from human works or merit. This went against the Catholic teaching that both faith and good works are needed for salvation.
Justification is offered freely to all on the basis of Christ’s redemptive work, but must be received by repentant faith in order to benefit the sinner. We are united to Christ by faith, and it is on this basis alone that God declares us righteous. The Apostle Paul provides the most in-depth teaching on justification in the New Testament, especially in his letter to the Romans.
In summary, justification refers to God’s gracious and singular act of declaring repentant sinners righteous because of the perfect righteousness of Christ which is credited to them when they place saving faith in Him. This glorious truth reveals the greatness of God’s grace, the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement, and the inability of man to save himself through good works. The doctrine of justification by faith is at the heart of the gospel message.
Bible Verses about Justification
Here are some key Bible verses about the doctrine of justification:
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-24)
“For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.” (Romans 3:20-22)
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.'” (Romans 4:2-3)
“And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” (Romans 4:5)
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it – the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:21-24)
“Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:16)
“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5)
Faith and Works in Justification
An important related question is the relationship between faith and works in justification. The Bible clearly teaches that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, not by our own good works. However, good works necessarily flow from genuine saving faith. Faith and works are intimately connected, but play different roles. Good works are the evidence, not the cause, of our justification.
Several passages help explain the relationship between faith and works:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2:16)
“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.'” (Romans 4:2-3)
“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” (James 2:24)
Ephesians 2 and Galatians 2 clearly state that we are saved by grace through faith apart from works. Romans 4 confirms this by using Abraham as an example of someone justified by faith alone. However, James 2 affirms that works validate our faith. These passages are best harmonized by understanding that works flow from genuine faith but are not the basis of our justification. We are saved by faith alone but faith is never alone – it will necessarily produce good works in the life of a true believer.
Results of Justification
The New Testament describes several results and blessings that flow from our justification in Christ:
Peace with God: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
Access to God’s grace: “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2)
Salvation from wrath: “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” (Romans 5:9)
Reconciliation: “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:10)
Adoption as God’s children: “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)
Sanctification: “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)
Eternal life: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
These blessings of grace show that justification is a free gift with immense spiritual benefits. Those whom God declares righteous in Christ have much to rejoice over! The doctrine of justification centers our hope on Christ’s finished work rather than our own efforts.
Justification vs. Sanctification
It is important to distinguish between justification and sanctification. Justification is a one-time legal declaration, while sanctification is an ongoing process of becoming holy. Justification is based on Christ’s imputed righteousness, while sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit to renew us in righteousness. Justification happens at the start of the Christian life, while sanctification occurs throughout.
Wayne Grudem explains it this way: “Justification is a once-for-all instantaneous declaration of right legal standing before God based on our trust in Jesus Christ. Sanctification is an ongoing process of actually becoming more righteous, more like Christ.”
So justification pardons our sins and declares us righteous based solely on Christ’s merits, while sanctification transforms our character and behavior through the power of the Spirit to make us more like Jesus.
Objections to Justification by Faith Alone
Throughout church history, there have been objections raised against the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Here are some common ones:
It undermines the necessity of good works. This objection fails to properly distinguish between justification and sanctification. Good works are absolutely necessary for sanctification but not for justification.
It suggests righteousness can be earned. This is a misunderstanding, since justification is an unearned gift of grace, not something we merit through good works or law-keeping.
It makes people sin more. Paul actually argues the opposite – understanding grace leads to greater obedience, not more sin (Romans 6:1-2). Those who are saved by grace strive for holiness out of love and gratitude.
It nullifies God’s law. Justification upholds rather than nullifies the moral law, since the law shows us our sin and need for Christ (Romans 3:20).
It makes Christ a minister of sin. Absolutely not! This is because we are only counted righteous on the basis of Christ’s sinless life and atoning death on our behalf.
The Bible’s teaching is clear: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is entirely of grace from start to finish.
Justification in Church History
Throughout church history, justification by faith alone has been a doctrinal sticking point.
In the late medieval period, the Catholic Church taught that justification was a lifelong process that required both faith and the merit earned through good works. There was an overemphasis on penance, pilgrimages, indulgences, and personal suffering to earn salvation.
However, the 16th century Protestant Reformers recovered the biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone. Martin Luther came to understand that justification is not based on earning merit through good deeds but is a free gift received by faith in Christ. The Reformers summarized this doctrine with the Latin phrase sola fide (“faith alone”).
The Catholic Church responded at the Council of Trent by declaring that justification was by faith and good works together. Trent affirmed the merits of Jesus Christ but denied justification by faith alone. This position remains official Catholic teaching to this day.
Justification by faith alone continues to be affirmed by Protestant churches that adhere to sola fide – salvation is completely accomplished by Christ’s atoning death, received by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone.
Why Justification Matters
Why is the doctrine of justification important? Here are a few reasons:
It reveals the depth of our sin. We are so lost in sin that the only solution was for Christ to die in our place. We cannot save ourselves.
It exalts the work of Christ. Our right standing before God is due completely to Jesus’ righteousness. His work, not ours, is the basis for our acceptance by God.
It highlights the freeness of salvation. Justification is an unearned gift we receive by God’s underserved favor through faith alone.
It brings assurance. The permanent, irreversible declaration of justification gives confidence that we are secure in Christ.
It motivates obedience. Grace compels us to live in grateful response to such merciful salvation.
It strikes at all forms of works-righteousness. Earning our own way to heaven is utterly impossible. Christ’s work is sufficient.
At its heart, justification is the biblical answer to the most important question: “How can a sinful person be right with the holy God?” Praise God the answer is Jesus Christ!