What is Biblical Justification

Justification is a central doctrine in Biblical Christianity, crucial to understanding how sinners can be made right with God. It deals with the legal declaration by which God pardons the sins of believers and imputes to them the righteousness of YAHshúa (Jesus Christ). To fully comprehend biblical justification, it is essential to explore its definition, the basis of justification, its means, the role of faith, the relationship between justification and sanctification, its effects, and the assurance it provides.

1. The Definition of Justification

1.1 Justification as a Legal Declaration:

Justification is a legal or forensic term drawn from the courtroom, where a judge declares a person to be righteous or in right standing with the law. In the biblical context, justification refers to the act of God declaring a sinner to be righteous on the basis of Christ’s righteousness. It is not a process but an instantaneous act of God where He pronounces a sinner acquitted of all charges and in full legal standing before Him.

1.2 Justification as Imputed Righteousness:

In justification, God imputes or credits the righteousness of Christ to the believer. This imputation is a key aspect of justification, meaning that the righteousness of YAHshúa is counted as the believer’s righteousness. Romans 4:5-6 explains, "But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness... just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works." This righteousness is not inherent in the believer but is a gift from God through faith in Christ.

1.3 Justification as Pardon and Acceptance:

Justification involves both the pardon of sin and the acceptance of the believer as righteous before God. Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This peace with God is the result of justification, where the believer is no longer under the condemnation of sin but is accepted by God as if they had never sinned, based on the righteousness of Christ.

2. The Basis of Justification

2.1 The Atonement of Christ:

The basis of justification is the atoning work of YAHshúa the Christ. It is through His sacrificial death and resurrection that sinners can be justified. Romans 3:24-25 explains that believers are "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith." Christ’s death on the cross satisfied the demands of God’s justice, paying the penalty for sin, and making it possible for God to justify sinners while remaining just.

2.2 The Righteousness of Christ:

The righteousness of Christ is the ground upon which justification rests. 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." Christ’s perfect obedience to the law and His sacrificial death are credited to the believer, allowing them to stand righteous before God. This is often referred to as the "great exchange"—our sin imputed to Christ and His righteousness imputed to us.

2.3 Grace as the Source:

Justification is by grace alone, meaning it is a gift from God and not something earned by human effort. Romans 3:24 emphasizes that justification is "freely by His grace." Grace is God’s unmerited favor, and it is the source of justification. God, in His love and mercy, chooses to justify sinners not because of anything they have done but purely out of His grace.

3. The Means of Justification

3.1 Justification by Faith Alone:

The means by which justification is received is faith. The doctrine of justification by faith alone (sola fide) is a cornerstone of Protestant Christianity. Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Faith is the instrument through which the righteousness of Christ is received, not a work that earns justification but the means by which it is applied to the believer.

3.2 The Role of Faith:

Faith in the context of justification is trust in Christ alone for salvation. It involves acknowledging one’s own sinfulness and helplessness and relying completely on Christ’s atoning work for righteousness. Romans 4:5 explains, "But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness." This faith is not merely intellectual assent but a personal trust in and commitment to Christ.

3.3 Faith Apart from Works:

Justification is by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 3:28 asserts, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law." This means that human efforts to obey the law or perform good deeds cannot contribute to justification. It is solely through faith in Christ that one is justified. This underscores the sufficiency of Christ’s work and the futility of human efforts to achieve righteousness.

4. Justification and Sanctification: Their Relationship

4.1 Distinction Between Justification and Sanctification:

Justification and sanctification are distinct but related aspects of salvation. Justification is a one-time, legal declaration by God, where He declares the sinner righteous. Sanctification, on the other hand, is the ongoing process by which the believer is made holy, growing in righteousness and becoming more like Christ. Hebrews 10:14 captures both aspects: "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified." Justification deals with the believer’s legal standing before God, while sanctification deals with the believer’s moral and spiritual condition.

4.2 The Inseparability of Justification and Sanctification:

While justification and sanctification are distinct, they are inseparable in the life of a believer. Those who are justified are also sanctified. Romans 8:30 illustrates this connection: "Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." Sanctification flows from justification, meaning that those who are declared righteous by God will also be made righteous in practice. True faith, which justifies, will always produce good works and a transformed life, which is the fruit of sanctification.

4.3 The Evidence of Justification in Sanctification:

The evidence of justification is seen in the process of sanctification. James 2:17 teaches, "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." Genuine justification by faith will inevitably result in a life of growing holiness and good works. These works do not contribute to justification but are the evidence that one has truly been justified. In this sense, sanctification serves as the proof that justification has taken place.

5. The Effects of Justification

5.1 Peace with God:

One of the primary effects of justification is peace with God. Romans 5:1 declares, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This peace is the result of being reconciled to God, where the enmity caused by sin is removed, and the believer is brought into a harmonious relationship with God. It is a peace that assures the believer of their right standing before God.

5.2 Freedom from Condemnation:

Justification frees the believer from condemnation. Romans 8:1 states, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." Because the believer has been declared righteous, they are no longer under the sentence of death that sin brings. This freedom from condemnation means that the believer can live with the assurance that they are forgiven and accepted by God.

5.3 Adoption into God’s Family:

Justification also results in adoption into God’s family. Galatians 4:4-5 explains that believers, having been justified, are adopted as sons and daughters of God: "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons." This adoption grants the believer the rights and privileges of being a child of God, including the inheritance of eternal life.

5.4 The Gift of the Holy Spirit:

Justification brings with it the gift of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 3:14 teaches that "we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." The Holy Spirit indwells every justified believer, empowering them for holy living and assuring them of their salvation. The Spirit is the seal of justification, guaranteeing the believer’s ultimate redemption.

5.5 Access to God:

Justification grants the believer access to God. Ephesians 3:12 states, "in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him." This access means that the believer can approach God with confidence, knowing that they are accepted and welcome in His presence. This access is not based on the believer’s own merit but on the righteousness of Christ that has been imputed to them.

6. The Assurance of Justification

6.1 Assurance Based on God’s Promise:

The assurance of justification is grounded in the promises of God. Romans 8:30 provides a powerful assurance: "Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." This golden chain of salvation shows that justification leads inevitably to glorification. God’s promise to justify those who believe in Christ is unbreakable, providing believers with the confidence that their justification is secure.

6.2 The Witness of the Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in assuring believers of their justification. Romans 8:16 says, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." The Holy Spirit testifies to the believer’s heart that they are indeed justified and adopted into God’s family. This inner witness provides a deep, personal assurance of salvation.

6.3 The Fruit of Justification as Evidence:

The fruit of justification—such as good works, love for God, and a transformed life—serves as evidence that one has been justified. James 2:18 states, "But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works." While these works do not justify, they confirm that justification has taken place. The presence of these fruits in a believer’s life strengthens their assurance of salvation.

6.4 The Unchanging Nature of Justification:

Justification is a one-time act that cannot be undone. Once God has declared a person righteous, that declaration stands for eternity. Romans 11:29 affirms, "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." This means that a justified believer can have confidence that their justification is permanent and that they are secure in Christ.

Conclusion

Biblical justification is the gracious act of God by which He declares a sinner to be righteous based on the righteousness of YAHshúa the Christ. It is a legal declaration, not a process, where God imputes the righteousness of Christ to the believer, pardons their sins, and accepts them as righteous in His sight. Justification is based on the atoning work of Christ, received by faith alone, apart from works.

Justification is distinct from, but inseparably linked to, sanctification. It leads to peace with God, freedom from condemnation, adoption into God’s family, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The assurance of justification is grounded in God’s promises, the witness of the Holy Spirit, and the evidence of a transformed life.

Understanding the doctrine of justification deepens the believer’s appreciation for God’s grace, strengthens their assurance of salvation, and motivates them to live a life of gratitude and obedience. Justification is the heart of the gospel, the good news that sinners can be made right with God through faith in YAHshúa the Christ, and it is the foundation of the Christian life.