Justification

As I studied and prepared to teach the book of Romans at Church on Thursday nights, I thought it critical for those attending my Bible study, to better understand some of the Doctrinal concepts mentioned by the apostle Paul throughout this letter. So I've written a few brief descriptions and explanations of these Biblical words and phrases to help us to grasp more fully the content of Paul's message. I also thought that maybe others out there might benefit from them, so as I put them to paper I have included them in my blog, next is this important doctrine:  Justification

What Does Justification Mean? 
The word is a legal term with the meaning "to acquit".  It is the normal word to use when the accused is declared "not guilty".

The word does not mean to make righteous as some may think.  This word and its meaning stand in opposition to condemnation.  To "condemn" does not mean to "make guilty", but to "declare guilty", similarly then, to justify means to "declare just".

1. To be justified according to the Bible means to be declared righteous in    God's sight.  Romans 8:33; "Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies:"

2. Man is justified when God imputes to him righteousness.  Romans 4:2,3; 
"For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about: but not before God.  For what does the scripture say?  And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteous."

3. The Hebrew word is naqah; to be guiltless, declared innocent or acquitted.  The Greek word is dikaioo; to deem to be right, to declare to be righteous.

How Are We Justified?
Paul is quite definite that:

"no one will be justified in God's sight by works of the Law"   Romans 3:20a

Justification through observing laws and codes is impossible.

"For we maintain that a man is justified by faith, apart from works of the law."  Roman 3:28

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

Paul links justification with faith, making it quite clear that it is only by believing that anyone can appropriate this gift of God.

"But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness."  Romans 4:5

"even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe."  Romans 3:22

Justification is God's good gift: we are "Justified freely by His grace."

"being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus."  Romans 3:24

The cross of Christ plays a necessary part in justification for:

"Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him."  Romans 5:9

Justification by way of the cross means that God saves us in a way that accords with righteousness.  Sin does not go unpunished; it's just that Jesus bore our punishment.  When we speak of justification by way of the cross, we are saying that it has been dealt with.

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

By Whom Are We Justified?
Justification has been brought about from God by grace through faith.

"because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."  Romans 3:25b-26

Christ's resurrection brings to us our justification.

"He who was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification."  Romans 4:25

Adams sin resulted in condemnation and death, whereas Christ's deed of grace brought justification and life.

"But the free gift is not like the transgressions.  For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to many.  And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification."  Romans 5:15,16

In Adam by birth we are condemned and die, but because of Christ's redemptive work on the cross we can be justified and live if we are in Him by faith.

Conclusion:
Justification makes no actual change in us; it is a declaration by God concerning us.  What characterizes Christianity is that its answer centers on the cross.  Justification does not take place because people in some way work out a means with dealing with sin.  They can neither overcome it so that for the future they will live without it, nor blot it out from their past.  But God can and does.

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.  So we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law no flesh will be justified."  Galatians 2:16

God Bless and Press On
Larry