"JUSTIFICATION"

DEFINITION #3: ROMANS 3:24

JUSTIFICATION: means to reckon, or to declare one righteous.

The Greek word for "Justify" is actually the same Greek word which is translated "righteousness" in Romans 3:21,22. Therefore to "JUSTIFY" means: To "Righteous-ify" or; To Reckon One Righteous.

NOTE: This does not mean that the Believer is made righteous as far as his practical life is concerned. It means that God declares him to be righteous. Remember, the righteousness given to a Believer is not handed to him, but is put to his account. You are not made as righteous as Jesus Christ, you are credited as having His righteousness. It is on this basis that God declares you righteous.

WHO DOES GOD DECLARE RIGHTEOUS, AND WHY; AND HOW CAN A HOLY GOD DO THIS?

Job, in Job 9:1,2, and his friend Bildad were among the first to ask this question in Job 25:4:

"HOW THEN CAN MAN BE JUSTIFIED WITH GOD? OR HOW CAN HE BE CLEAN THAT IS BORN OF A WOMAN?"

Now finally in the gospel given to Paul, the answer is made known, by Romans 3:28:

"THEREFORE WE CONCLUDE THAT A MAN IS JUSTIFIED BY FAITH WITHOUT THE DEEDS OF THE LAW"

Remember our previous two word studies. We understand from the word "Impute" that God takes His righteousness and puts it to the account of all who believe in Jesus Christ. Therefore even though I am a sinner (as Romans 3:23 clearly states), the moment I believe, God credits His righteousness to me and then declares me righteous. This is "Justification".

Romans 8:33 - we are Justified by God. - He is the Source.
Romans 5:9 - we are Justified by Blood. - Christ's blood is the Basis.
Romans 3:24 - we are Justified by Grace. - This is the Means.
Romans 5:1 - we are Justified by Faith. - Here is the Appropriation.
Romans 4:25 - we are Justified by the Resurrection of Christ. - This is the Guarantee.

"JUSTIFICATION" IS A LEGAL TERM.

"Justification" speaks of a favorable verdict from God which is pronounced the moment a person believes in Christ. The unfavorable verdict is "damnation", which is already upon us and is sealed at death for those neglecting to believe in Christ. The final sentence will come at the future "Great White Throne Judgment Of God" spoken of in Revelation 20:11-15.

Courtrooms are always very frightening, especially if it is you who is going up before the judge. As we think about the term "Justification", the scene is in the courtroom of God's Justice. God is the Judge. His righteousness is the standard. The time of this hearing is our lifetime (not after we die).

There we stand before the HIGH AND HOLY JUDGEMENT BAR OF GOD; and we stand there knowing full well that we fall far short of His standard of holiness: we know we are sinners; and we know we're guilty! Yet if we will only believe in what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the Cross, His righteousness will be put to our account; and when God sounds His verdict, he will declare the believer "RIGHTEOUS"!

PRACTICAL POINT:

The practical application of this doctrine could not be better put than in Romans 8:33:

"WHO SHALL LAY ANYTHING TO THE CHARGE OF GOD'S ELECT? IT IS GOD THAT JUSTIFIETH."

There is no sin that can condemn a Justified person to hell. No person; not yourself; not even the Devil can charge you with anything once God declares you righteous. This was Paul's reasoning after making the statement in Romans 8:31;

"IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?"

Romans 3:25 continues to explain the accomplishments of Jesus Christ through the Cross, and how a Holy God can declare a Sinful Man righteous.