Justification

Justification

INTRODUCTION One of the modern errors of today is to identify justification with pardon.

Justification is more than pardon; to justify means to declare righteous.

God’s problem in redeeming man was to justify the sinner without condoning or justifying his sin. God could not compromise in judgment and treat sin lightly.

Law and justice demanded the death penalty for every sin. Ezekiel 18:4, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." See also Ezekiel 18:20. The mercy of God yearned to rescue the offender in the interests of love. In a human court the Judge justifies the righteous and condemns the wicked Deuteronomy 25:1, "Then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked"

God refuses to justify the guilty. Exodus 23:7. "I will not justify the wicked. "

God pronounces judgment on human judges that pervert judgment. Isaiah 5:22-23, "Woe unto them. . . which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!"

Luke 16:15, Jesus condemns the Pharisees for justifying themselves before God. The law, Romans 2:13, said, "But the doers of the law shall be justified." But the question facing the Triune God was: "What man could keep the law perfectly? "

Romans 3:23. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. " The problem was so perplexing that only Infinite Wisdom and the Grace of God were equal to the task of solving it.

God’s solution: Jesus volunteered to be the man to live the perfect life according to the law, gain the righteousness and then give it as a gift to the believing.

What is Justification?

Justification is being accounted righteous before God; the sinner puts on the righteousness of Jesus Christ and God sees him perfect in the righteousness of Christ.

Henceforth God sees the sinner righteous in the Saviour-hidden in His wonderful Person. Justification is the judicial act of God whereby those who put faith in Christ are declared righteous in His eyes, and free from guilt and punishment.

Romans 4:3, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."

Romans 4:5, "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justified the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. "

For a holy and righteous God to forgive sin is not a small matter; the truth is that God actually delights in forgiving and cleansing iniquity.

Micah 7:18-19, "Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy. . . He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." In justification all our sins are forgiven and the guilt and punishment thereof removed.

Acts 13:38-39, "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. "

The forgiven sinner is not like a discharged prisoner who has served his term and is discharged from further punishment, but with no rights of citizenship. In Christ Jesus the sinner receives the full rights of citizenship.

Romans 3:22, "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe. " The perfect, holy righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to the sinner.

The sinner calls out, "How can I receive this gift of righteousness?" The answer is, "By believing" on the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

Galatians 2:16, "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."

Romans 3:26, "To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. "

Romans 4:5, "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth." The best of men need to be saved by faith in Jesus Christ and wicked sinners can also be justified in the same way.

Justification is a judicial act performed by God, the Father Almighty.

Titus 3:7, "That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Romans 4:25, "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. "

The one who is truly justified will manifest this fact in good works.

James 2:21-23, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness." This passage shows the proper relationship between faith and works. By faith we are justified but after that we will live a righteous life which manifests good works.

Peace of conscience through the mercy of God.

Peace of heart through the love of God Peace of mind through the truth of God Peace of soul through the presence of God

Romans 5:2, "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace."

Access into favour with God--a new standing through justification.

CONCLUSION

We are justified judicially by God. Romans 8:33, "It is God that justifieth." We are justified meritoriously by Christ. Isaiah 53:11, "He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: for by His knowledge shall My righteous Servant I justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities."

We are justified mediatively by faith. Romans 5:1, "Therefore being justified by faith.?

We are justified evidentially by works. James 2:14, "What doth it profit, my brethren though a man say he hath faith, and have not works ?" In Luke 8:13-14, the sinner that prayed, "God be merciful to me a sinner," went home justified, said the Lord Jesus Christ.

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