What is Justification?

Justification is God’s gracious act of declaring a sinner to be righteous in his sight only through faith in Jesus Christ.¹

The Need for Justification

Scripture teaches that all people have sinned against God and that, apart from his saving work, no one is righteous before him (Romans 3:23; Psalm 143:2). As children of the first man, Adam, we have inherited a sinful nature and we stand condemned before God (Ephesians 2:1–3; Romans 5:16, 18).

Since God is holy and perfectly just, he does not simply ignore or overlook our sin. Our sin must be punished, and the punishment we deserve is death—both physical death in this life and eternal death in the life to come (Romans 6:23). 

To be justified, or declared righteous, we need God to forgive our sins and provide us with a perfect righteousness. This is precisely what he has done through his Son, Jesus Christ. We call this the doctrine of justification.

The Basis of Justification

Through Christ’s sinless life, a life of perfect obedience, God provided for us the righteousness that he requires (2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9). Through Christ’s death on the cross in the place of sinners, God provided a sacrifice to satisfy his justice and remove our guilt (1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 10:12–14; 1 John 2:2). Through Christ’s resurrection, God overcame sin and death on behalf of his people, providing them with a righteousness that would last forever (Romans 4:25). 

In short, God declares us righteous based solely on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So how do we receive this gracious gift?

The Means of Receiving Justification

Throughout history, people have attempted to earn a right standing with God based on their own efforts or religious practices. The apostle Paul had to address this error, as there were Jews in his day who were teaching that, in addition to faith in Christ, obeying the law was necessary to be justified before God (Galatians 2:15–3:14). 

However, as Paul pointed out, relying on our own obedience cannot make us right before God because no one obeys God perfectly. The law itself pronounces a curse on those who do not keep everything written in it (Galatians 3:10).

Only by God’s grace, his undeserved favor, can anyone be declared righteous before him (Romans 3:24; Titus 3:7). We receive this grace solely through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). 

Rather than relying on ourselves and our own efforts, we rely on Christ’s saving work. In justification we receive the gift of righteousness and eternal life that God offers in his Son (John 3:16; Philippians 3:9). We are justified by faith alone.

The Prime Example of Justification

Scripture presents Abraham as the prime example of someone who was justified by faith alone (Galatians 3:6–9). Though Abraham and his wife, Sarah, were childless and past the age when they could have children, the Lord promised to give Abraham as many descendants as the stars of the heavens. 

Abraham simply believed the Lord, and it was “counted to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Apart from any good works, the Lord graciously declared Abraham to be righteous (Romans 4:1–8). This is the same way that all people receive God’s grace—by faith. (Romans 4:22–25).

The Comfort and Assurance of Justification

The guilt of our sin and the trials of life can make our standing before God seem uncertain. However, for those who are trusting in Christ, our justification is not based on our feelings, our circumstances, or even our growth in obedience. Our right standing before God is forever settled because of what he has done for us in Christ. 

Therefore, we are freed from the impossible burden of earning or maintaining God’s favor. Justification by faith is a gift of God’s grace (Romans 3:24).

Regardless of how unworthy or guilty we may feel, those who have put their trust in Christ have been forgiven of their sins; their righteousness is found in Christ and not in themselves (2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9). “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

The Church’s Mission and Justification

The Bible’s teaching about justification should not only affect the way we view ourselves but also the message we proclaim to others. Anyone, regardless of their sin, can be forgiven and declared righteous in God’s sight by simply trusting in Christ.

So, whether we’re talking to a next-door neighbor or taking the gospel to an unreached people group, the message is the same. A right standing with God doesn’t come by making moral improvements or by increasing one’s religious devotion. It comes through relying on Jesus Christ and what he has accomplished in his life, death, and resurrection. Justification by grace through faith in Christ is good news for all nations.

1. This definition is taken from David Platt, Secret Church 10, “Crucifixion, Salvation, and the Glory of God.” See page 58 of the Secret Church 10 Study Guide. ↵