Justification

Let us consider the doctrine of justification for a brief moment.  The word justification means absolution from guilt and punishment; to be righteous.  A passage directly presenting justification is given in this place.  (Rom 5:18) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  In this passage we find that all are under guilt and condemnation by one: Adam.  By the transgression of Adam, sin entered into the world and death by sin, (Rom. 5:12).  According to nature, all men are condemned and unjust.

In the Word of God, we find how many try to circumvent true justification.  We find examples in the Bible presenting how some have tried to justify themselves.  Consider a passage presenting this: (Luke 10:29) But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?  This man sought to prove himself just by presenting this question.  Today we find many who hope to avoid God’s judgment through questions.  Another passage presents an example of how men have attempted to appear just in the eyes of their fellow man.  (Luke 16:15) And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.  While a person may be held as just by their fellow man, the final judge of our condition is God.

Returning to the first verse presented from Rom. 5:18, we learn that all are really condemned.  Another verse is given that further describes man’s condition according to nature.  (Rom 3:10) As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.  God has found man to be without righteousness according to nature.

The word justification is sometimes translated as the word righteousness.  Consider a verse where this is found.  (Rev 19:8) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.  Notice that Christ’s bride is granted to be adorned in righteousness, or justification, in the marriage of the Lamb.

How then is justification found according to God’s Word?  Here we present some of the scriptures that answer this question.  (Rom 3:24) Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.  (Titus 3:7) That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  (Rom 4:5) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.  From these verses we find that a man is justified by the grace of God.  A person finds God’s grace through faith, or believing on Him who justifieth the ungodly.  This justification can NOT be obtained by any performance whatsoever.  All must be careful NOT to fall into the same fault of the religious element presented in this following passage.  (Rom 10:3) For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.  Those who establish their own standard for justification fall short by NOT submitting to being justified by God.  God has extended His love toward all of man that we can be justified by His grace through faith in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.  Remember, (Rom 5:18) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.