The dictionary definition of justification is: “Something (such as a fact or circumstance) that shows an action to be reasonable or necessary…”
So, what is justification? Justification is the act in which God declares sinners to be righteous.
The classic text here is Romans 3:23-24, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace as a gift…”
We are justified, declared righteous, at the moment of our salvation. Justification does not make us righteous, but rather pronounces us righteous. Our righteousness comes from placing our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Our justification is not by faith. Rather, it is through faith. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).
Faith is the means by which the necessary union with Christ takes place.
Simply put, to justify is to declare righteous, to make one right with God. Justification is God’s declaring those who receive Christ to be righteous, based on Christ’s righteousness being imputed to the accounts of those who receive Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
I will go deeper into where it is found in the Bible, and exactly how it applies to our lives at a later time. I encourage you to dig deeper for yourself, and get into the Word of God.
- Adam Smith
