Introduction
Justification is an important concept which appears throughout the Bible. It is a key aspect of the Christian faith and is the basis for understanding how believers in Jesus Christ can be made right with God. Justification is a legal term which denotes a verdict of acquittal or pardon from guilt or penalty of wrong or criminal behavior. Therefore, in a religious context, justification typically means that a believer is declared “not guilty” in God’s eyes and is saved from eternal condemnation and punishment. By exploring the concept of justification in the Bible we can gain a better understanding of how this integral part of the Christian faith works.
Biblical Background
The Bible is clear that in its perfect holiness, God cannot accept sinful people in His presence. This means that, as fallen beings, all humans are guilty and are subject to an eternity of separation and torment away from God. But God, in His mercy, provided believers with a way to bridge the great divide between sinful mankind and a holy God. This bridge is provided through Jesus Christ, who became a sin offering for mankind. In other words, Jesus Christ atoned for our sins and provided us with a way to be reconciled with God. This is the foundation of justification in the Bible – through belief in Jesus Christ, a sinner can be declared “not guilty” and taken into God’s kingdom for eternity.
Justification Explained
Justification, as it is understood in the Bible, is a legal term that signifies the process in which sinful people are made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a “pardon” of sorts in which a person’s sins are “forgiven” and their guilt is removed. As such, justification involves a person believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and confessing Him as Savior and Lord of one’s life. This belief doesn’t make someone immune to future sin – Christians still fall short of God’s perfect standard of holiness – but it does secure them an eternity with God in Heaven.
The Role Of Good Works
A common misconception about justification is that it negates the power or importance of good works. This is simply not the case. The Bible teaches that good works are important and necessary for the Christian faith – even after justification. Good works are proof of one’s faith in Jesus Christ and evidence of being “made right” with God. According to the Bible, good works are an important part of the Christian life and believers are encouraged to pursue them in order to have a stronger faith.
The Role Of Repenting
The Bible also clearly states that repenting is an important part of justifying oneself with God. Repentance essentially means turning away from sin and seeking the Lord with a renewed sense of commitment. In other words, a believer must be sincere in their faith and be willing to make a change in their life in order to be truly justified. Repentance is not required for justification, but is necessary for deepening one’s faith. It is also important to remember that repentance is not an instantaneous process – it is an ongoing journey that involves daily surrendering of oneself to God.
The Benefits Of Justifying With God
The process by which a believer is reconciled with God through justification is immensely beneficial. Through justification, the believer is cleansed of sin and guilt and receives a new heart full of joy and peace. Furthermore, through justification a believer is given the opportunity to live a life of greater purpose and meaning. Justification brings about a much-needed renewal in the believer’s life and often leads to a newfound sense of direction and hope.
Justification In Human Relationships
Justification doesn’t just take place between God and humans – it is also an important component of our interpersonal relationships. The Bible teaches that it’s important to forgive and extend grace to one another just as God has forgiven and extended grace to mankind through Jesus Christ. It is an act of humility and obedience to God’s command to love our neighbors as ourselves. By forgiving and seeking to justify our relationships with friends, family, and even strangers, we demonstrate the same mercy and grace that God gave us when He justified us with His loving arms.
The Power Of The Cross
An important aspect of understanding justification is recognizing the power of the Cross. Jesus’ death on the Cross was an act of ultimate sacrifice and love in which He died in our place and thereby opened the way for us to be reconciled with our Creator. Jesus, through His selfless and obedient act of love, declared us “not guilty” and offered us the opportunity to have a relationship with Him. In this way, Jesus bridged the gap between a holy God and sinful mankind and provided us with the empowering gift of justification.
Making A Decision For Christ
A key part of justification is making a conscious decision to trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This is not a decision that can be taken lightly – it requires a sincere belief in Jesus as the Son of God and a real change of heart. It is a step of faith that only true belief in Jesus can spark and it carries with it a great level of responsibility. When we make a decision for Jesus, we are committing to the path of a life faithfully following Him – even when it is challenging, inconvenient, or uncomfortable.
Receiving Justification
Receiving and understanding the gift of justification is a wonderful experience. It is a beautiful realization of the immense love that God has for us and the tremendous grace that He offers to believers. Justification comes with a newfound level of joy, peace, and perspective. It is a testament to the fact that even in our worst moments, God is always looking to restore our relationship with Him and offers us the opportunity to experience a deep and loving connection with our Creator.
Staying In Right Standing With God
The Bible is clear that eternal salvation cannot be earned by good works – it is a free gift given to believers through faith in Jesus. But, it is also important to remember that we, as believers are responsible for striving for holiness in order to stay in right standing with God. The Bible encourages us to “walk in the same manner as Jesus walked” (1 John 2:6) and to present ourselves as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1). Justification is not a one-time event – it is an ongoing process of surrender and obedience to God in which a believer strives to live in a way which pleases Him.
Knowing God Personally
Finally, the ultimate goal of justification is to gain a greater understanding of God Himself. By understanding and internalizing the idea of justification, a believer can begin to sense the deep love and grace of our heavenly Father. Justification reminds us of the immense price that Jesus paid for our redemption and it gives us a glimpse of the never-ending love of our Savior. And, most importantly, it helps us to experience the joy of knowing our Creator and forming an everlasting bond with Him.
