Justification By Faith
In the case of human judges in the Old Testament, they were to justify the righteous and condemn the wicked.
If there is a controversy between men, and they come to judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked. Deut 25:1
God required accurate judgment
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. Prov 17:15.
In regard to the gospel, justification is a verdict pronounced by God as judge, and it is the opposite to condemnation. God's judgment is always strictly accurate.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Psalm 97:2
Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet. Isaiah 28:16
See also Rom 2:2 Ps 89:14
He will by no means clear the guilty. Exod 34:7
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus. Rom 3:26
How then can God in perfect truth and strict justice declare one who is an ungodly sinner to be righteous? How can He be both just and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus?
The answer to this apparent paradox is that when the sinner believes in Jesus, God imputes to him or her the perfect righteousness which Christ has accomplished. This fully meets the righteous requirements of God's law. (Rom 8:3,4) God then declares the believing sinner to be righteous (Rom 3:24)
Justification is the verdict by God as judge, that the believing sinner is righteous.
Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Rom 8:33
Justification does not take place within us. It takes place before the throne of God and is one of the "things which are above". (Col 3:1). It is to be carefully distinguished from both the new birth and sanctification which take place here and within us.
Believers have this great blessing now.
We do not have to wait for the next life to find out whether God will accept us or not. For the true believer, God has already given His verdict which can never be altered or recalled. It is by authority of God on His eternal throne. "Authority that flows from His throne unto His own"
Much more then, having been now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Rom 5:9
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Rom 5:1,2
Every one who is now justified will certainly be glorified.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Rom 8:33
Justification is:
- Promised in the O.T.
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:11
- Through faith alone:
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses Acts. 13:38,39
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law Rom 3:28
Wherefore the law was our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Gal 3:24
- Not by works.
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Rom 3:20
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified Gal 2:16
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith Gal 3:11
- On the ground of the finished work of Christ alone
- Freely by His grace.
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Rom 3:24
- By His blood.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Rom 5:9
- Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Rom 4:25
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins. 1 Cor 15:17
The like figure whereunto even baptism also now saves us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 3:21
- In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor 6:11
- The basis of peace with God.
- The source of joy
Even as David also describes the blessedness of the man, to whom God imputes righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Rom 4:6-8
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Ps 32:1
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ Rom 5:1