Justification in Depth

Romans 3:28
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
KJV

Define and discuss justification, the battle cry of the Reformation

As stated above, it is God who justifies. Only God can resolve the dilemma posed by the desire to justify the guilty. God accomplishes this justification by the blood of Christ and the actions of Jesus at the Cross. A simple summary of the process of justification is:

First, justification is in the sovereignty of God, wholly by His will.
Romans 8:33
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God�s elect? It is God that justifieth.

Second, we are justified by God's grace, without any cause on our part.
Romans 3:24
[All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus (The Amplified Bible)

Third, justification is by the blood of Jesus.
Romans 5:9
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Fourth, justification occurred because of Christ's obedience.
Romans 5:19
19 For as by one man�s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Fifth, the Resurrection of Jesus secures justification.
Romans 4:25
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Sixth, we are effectively justified by the work of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:11
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Seventh, we are experientially justified by the faith in Jesus.
Galatians 2:16
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: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Eighth, we find the evidence of our justification in our works.
James 2:24
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

It is solely by the work of God that we are determined to be justified and righteous. It is important to note again that forgiveness is an important, but separate element, of this process. One cannot be justified unless one is guilty. This requires the person seeking justification before God to admit to the truthfulness of Scriptures that declare all men to be sinners. This is a request for forgiveness as well as for justification.

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