The Biblical meaning of “justification” is not the same as it generally means today. Today justification means to find that a falsely accused person is innocent. However in the Bible it means something far better. Romans 4:2-3 says “For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” The word “counted” means to “reckon” or “impute” and righteousness i.e. being made right before God, which ‘was formerly spelt ‘rightwiseness’, which clearly expresses the meaning’ (W. E. Vine’s dictionary). So justification is when a guilty sinner trusts in the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, he/she is made righteous before God because God imputes or credits righteousness to that individual.
Justification is a legal term which has two effects.
Justification is seen in contrast to the negativity of us trying to be justified by keeping God’s law. It is seen in Acts 13:39 “And by him all that believe are justified from all things {i.e. from every charge of guilt that might be brought against him}, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” We sinners could not clear ourselves from the guilt of all our sins by keeping the law. The law does convict and condemn us but it could never cancel our sin. However by faith in the Lord Jesus, God does a legal transaction in His sight, by entirely and eternally clearing the believing sinner of all their sins and make us essentially righteous and just in His sight.
Justification is seen positively by God’s action about Israel’s sins that are past. Romans 3:25 “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (a sacrifice that pays the penalty of sin) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” (See later)
WHY DO WE NEED JUSTIFICATION?
But are we naturally righteous before God? Job, an Old Testament person who suffered a lot, asked, “How should man be just with God?” (Job 9:2). Or is it possible that justification be achieved by good works which was questioned by Bildad the Shuhite, “How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?” (Job 25:4).
The New Testament confirms the human race’s sin and everyone’s need for justification, particularly in Romans c1 – 3. It is like a court scene where three types of people, who represent the whole world, are tried to see if they are sinners:
1. First group, in 1:18-32, are those who are openly sinful and that passage ends with, “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (1:32).
2. Second group in 2:1-16 are the self-righteous and it ends with, “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel” (2:16).
3. Third group are the religious people, as represented by the Jew, in 2:17-29, and it says near the end, “And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?” (2:27).
Therefore the conclusion for all the world is, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God” (3:19). Also “For there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory {character or standards} of God” (3:22b-23). So God is the judge and mankind is the sinner in the dock.
CONSEQUENTLY, HOW CAN A MAN BE JUSTIFIED BEFORE GOD?
First of all the God of eternity is described, “To declare, I say, at this time his (God v25) righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:26). So the absolutely just God can completely justify the guilty sinner who believes in Christ as Saviour. Justification is part of God’s eternal plan of salvation as seen in Romans 8:29-30, “For whom he (God v28) did foreknow, he also did predestinate . . . whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified”.
Also all three Persons of the Godhead are involved in providing the blessing of justification for sinful man:
1. God Himself is the justifier as Romans 3:26 says, “that he (God v25) might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”
2. The way to justification is available ‘through Christ’, i.e. through His death and resurrection. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24) and He “was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25). Also we are justified “in Christ” ‘But if, while we seek to be justified by, (literally “in”) Christ” (Galatians 2:17).
3. The Holy Spirit is the Divine agent to apply justification to the believer, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:11).(The name of the Lord Jesus Christ, stands for all that He is in His great Person and what He has done.)
WHAT IS THE PROCESS OF JUSTIFICATION?
This is explained in five stages:
1. Justified by God, Rom. 3:30
2. Justified by Christ’s blood, Rom 5:9
3. Justification Is Confirmed by Christ’s Resurrection Rom 4:25
4. Justified by grace, Rom 3:24
5. Justified by faith, Rom 5:1
Justified by God
God is stated as the One Who justifies. “Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and the un-circumcision through faith” (Romans 3:30). When Paul speaks of “now” (3:21) and “at this time” (3:26) he is showing God’s working in the present church age which was somewhat different to His relationships with Old Testament people before the cross. So 3:25 says “to declare His righteousness for the remission (literally “passing over”) of sins that are passed, through the forbearance of God”. God in His forbearance and in view of the Old Testament believers’ faith in God, had Christ’s death in view. These were sins committed in a past age and not the past sins of the believers’ of this present age. The righteousness of God is now declared by passing over Old Testament sins because Christ Jesus has been set forth, or manifested, both to God and publically manifested to the world by fact of Himself, preaching and God’s Word the Bible, to be a propitiation (3:25).
As previously mentioned Romans 3:26 declares that through the death of Christ for sin, God is “at this time” is righteousness in His character and dealings with sinners “that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Now that the death of Christ is an accomplished fact, God ‘now’ and ‘at this time’ is not only declared righteous but, as a just God, He can justify the guilty sinner who believes in Jesus, acquitting that person of the guilt of all their sins, and declares them just and right forever. In doing this God’s righteousness is established and justice is maintained.
Justified by Christ’ Blood
Romans 5:9 says, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Paul states that the basis of justification is the blood of Christ, which is the evidence of the accomplished sacrifice of Christ at Calvary.
Acts 2:36 Peter says, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” So the Israelites crucified and put to death God’s Son, Jesus Christ, but in that process 2Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he (God v20) hath made him (Christ v20) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Christ was not made sinful nor a sinner but sin was credited to Him by God so that God would judge Him for our sin.
Romans 5:19 records, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” So on the cross God did not overlook sin but fully judged Christ as He would have judged sin. Consequently through Christ, Who alone satisfied the claims of divine justice, believers are made righteous. So amazingly believers stand righteous in God’s sight. Sin is universal and the expression “the many” used so often in the apostle’s argument, covers all of Adam’s race. Adam’s descendants were made sinners by his one act of disobedience in the garden of Eden (see Genesis c3). Adam’s descendants demonstrate that they are sinners because they practice sin. Those who are under the headship of Christ and are blessed through His one act of obedience, walk in newness of life and their conduct brings pleasure to God. Here the obedience of Christ is not a reference to what marked Him in life, although that is perfectly true, but refers to the end of His life, that is His one act of righteousness. His obedience took Him to the cross, but it is the final voluntary sacrifice that the apostle is speaking of which is in contrast to Adam’s one act of disobedience.
The holiness of God is not affected by sinful man approaching Him because Jesus Christ’s shed blood has dealt with the sinner’s sin and God’s righteous demands have been fully and eternally satisfied.
Justification Is Confirmed by Christ’s Resurrection
Romans 4:25 “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” Here are two great facts. Christ was delivered up to God’s judgment and death on the cross because of our offences before God, for that is what sin is to God, an offence. Jesus Christ’s sufferings and shed blood on the cross completely satisfied God’s wrath and judgment against all our sins. Then the Holy Spirit states that Christ “was raised again for our justification.” The resurrection was a confirmation that God had accepted the sacrifice of Christ as meeting all His just demands and therefore justification was securely obtained for all who believe. Consequently Christ is the means of justification but God is the source of justification.
Justified by grace
In Romans 3:24 “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” the apostle describes justification as given by grace. Grace is undeserved favour as seen in Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 11:6. Justification was freely given, without cause or deserving merit on our part. We deserved God’s judgment for our sins and God could have righteously left us to eternal judgment. However despite our guilt God, because He loved us, took the initiative in grace. So at infinite Personal cost, He freely gives His righteousness, i.e. justifies, to all who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. God’s grace is based on Divine righteousness and through the cross is supported by justice and judgement.
Justified by faith
But how is justification received? Romans 5:1 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Is therefore faith alone in Christ the only means of salvation? The Holy Spirit, through the apostle Paul, says in Romans 3:26-28 “… that he (God v25) might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. v27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. v28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Faith in Christ, which includes His complete sacrifice, is God’s requirement for justification and so excludes us from making any boasting of having made any contribution to be justified. So grace is God’s aspect of justification and faith is our aspect.
The words ‘being justified’ indicates that it is a current procedure. However “being justified” is in the Greek aorist tense, meaning “having done” which shows that at the moment of the exercise faith each believer, becomes permanently justified in the sight of God. Darby translates as ‘having been justified’. A second blessing is associated with justification which is “peace with God”.
Justification can never be Undone
In view of Christ’s death and resurrection can the believer be accused of sin. Romans 8:33-34 “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. v34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
In v33 the two words have been added, i.e. “it is” to help with the understanding but can give a wrong impression. The question is “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?” which is followed by “God that justifieth.” It would be better understood if a question mark was added after justifieth. Paul, by the Holy Spirit, says ‘Who can bring a charge against God’s elect or put in any accusation against them?’ There is no higher court that can be appealed to than the court of God. So Paul continues ‘Would God do that?’ The Supreme Judge has absolved (to free from an obligation or the consequences of guilt) them and made them righteous. So He cannot and will not condemn. So there can be no accusation brought against the justified. There is none, in the spiritual or earthly realms, who can charge God’s chosen ones, with any sin.
Again the question is raised in v34 “Who is he that condemns? The answer comes immediately, “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Again “it is” has been added to help us get the right sense of the verse but can give a wrong impression. Paul appeals to the Divine Person Whom God has appointed as the final judge (“For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” John 5:22), i.e. the Lord Jesus Christ, as the One Who will condemn the believer. It would be better if, again, the question mark was added as in, “Christ that died, yea rather …? So would the One Who has done or is doing the following four things actually condemn us? In fact these four facts of Christ’s death, resurrection, ascension and making intercession are essentially the complete proofs that God has acted righteously to provide justification.
These are four great truths which are our assurance that Christ does not condemn us:
(1) Christ died for our sins. Hebrews 9:26 “… but now once in the end (meaning entire completion, i.e. consummation) of the world (meaning “ages”) hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” So would Christ, Who out of infinite love and amazing self sacrifice has put way our every sin, once and for all as far as God is concerned, now condemn us? Of course not.
(2) “yea rather, that is risen again”. As mentioned above, Christ rose to confirm our justification. Also Romans 5:19 says “being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life”. We were reconciled to God through the death of His Son. The fact that Christ now lives and is at God’s right hand, is the guarantee that our present and future deliverance has absolute assurance through Him. So would He now condemn us? Again, of course not.
(3) “who is even at the right hand of God” From Psalm 110:1 “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool” we see that being at the right hand of God is a place of exaltation, honour, power and absolute sovereignty. This is confirmed by Hebrews 1:3 “… when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
(4) “who also maketh intercession for us.” For believers in Christ as Saviour the Lord Jesus is now interceding or entreating God for us. Hebrews 9:24 “For Christ is … entered … into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost (or completely) that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.“ Not only were the believer’s sins completely taken care of at the cross by Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice at the cross but now the believers have also become the objects of a Divine uninterrupted service by the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. Despite our weakness and failures, we can rest certainly knowing that we shall be saved completely because Christ ever lives to plead our cause, or make intercession for, not against, us. Let satan make any charge he can for there is a perfect answer in our Intercessor. So the believer is entirely preserved for glory. The mention of Christ’s position of authority in God’s presence in heaven emphasises the effectiveness of His intercession. So would the One Who is currently interceding for us condemn us? Certainly not.
So a result of faith in Christ is that God declares us righteous. In response to this marvellous position we should show it by living righteously in this world.
THE PROBLEM OF JUSTIFICATION
It should be noted that justification does not bring a moral change to the believer’s flesh i.e. their sinful nature. It, nevertheless, does change his/her position to that of absolute righteousness before God so that he/she is cleared of every charge.
SUMMARY
Justification is an act of God’s free grace, where in addition to forgiving all our sins, He clears all our sins and accepts us as righteous in His sight. This is only true because of the righteousness of God, through Christ, being imputed/credited to us and that is received by faith alone.