Justification is the central doctrine of the Christian faith, standing at the very heart of the gospel. It answers the most vital question: How can sinful humanity be made right with a holy and just God? The doctrine of justification, as revealed in Scripture and articulated in the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF), proclaims that sinners are declared righteous before God solely by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This doctrine magnifies God’s mercy, exalts the sufficiency of Christ’s atoning work, and provides profound assurance to believers.
For the church in Greenville, South Carolina, this truth is not merely a theological concept but a living hope that defines our faith, shapes our worship, and drives our mission to proclaim the gospel to a world in desperate need of reconciliation with God.
The Meaning of Justification
The WCF (Chapter 11.1) defines justification as follows:
“Those whom God effectually calleth, He also freely justifieth; not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ’s sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.”
This definition highlights several key aspects of justification:
1. A Forensic Declaration
Justification is a legal or forensic act in which God declares the sinner to be righteous. It is not a process of moral transformation (that is sanctification) but a change in status before God’s law. Romans 3:24-25 affirms that believers are “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
2. The Imputation of Christ’s Righteousness
Justification involves the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the believer. Our sins are imputed to Christ, who bore their penalty on the cross, and His perfect obedience is credited to us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 declares, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
3. By Grace Alone
Justification is entirely by God’s grace, not based on human merit or works. Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.”
4. Through Faith Alone
Faith is the instrument by which justification is received. Romans 5:1 proclaims, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Faith is not meritorious; it is a gift from God that looks away from self to Christ.
The Biblical Basis for Justification
1. Justification in the Old Testament
Justification by faith is not a New Testament invention but is evident throughout the Old Testament. Genesis 15:6 records that Abraham “believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Paul cites this verse in Romans 4:3 to demonstrate that justification has always been by faith, not by works.
Similarly, David speaks of the blessedness of justification, writing, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity” (Psalm 32:1-2).
These passages confirm that justification has always been based on faith in God’s promise and the imputation of righteousness.
2. Justification in the New Testament
The New Testament presents justification as the cornerstone of the gospel. Paul declares in Romans 3:28, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Galatians 2:16 reiterates, “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.”
These passages emphasize that justification is entirely the work of God, accomplished through Christ’s atoning death and resurrection.
Faith: The Instrument of Justification
Faith is the means by which the believer receives the benefits of Christ’s work. The Larger Catechism (LC 73) explains:
“Faith justifies a sinner in the sight of God, not because of those other graces which do always accompany it, or of good works that are the fruits of it, nor as if the grace of faith, or any act thereof, were imputed to him for his justification; but only as it is an instrument by which he receiveth and applieth Christ and His righteousness.”
Faith is not a work; it is a Spirit-wrought gift that rests entirely on the finished work of Christ. This union with Christ is the foundation of all the benefits of salvation, including justification, adoption, sanctification, and glorification (Romans 8:29-30).
The Grounds of Justification: Christ’s Active and Passive Obedience
The righteousness imputed to believers in justification is Christ’s perfect obedience to the law (active obedience) and His sacrificial death on the cross (passive obedience). Both are necessary for justification.
1. Active Obedience
Christ perfectly fulfilled the demands of God’s law on behalf of His people. Matthew 5:17 declares, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” His obedience is imputed to believers, granting them the status of righteousness before God.
2. Passive Obedience
In His passive obedience, Christ bore the penalty for sin, satisfying God’s justice. Isaiah 53:5 proclaims, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
The “Great Exchange” of 2 Corinthians 5:21—our sins imputed to Christ and His righteousness imputed to us—secures the believer’s justification.
Responding to Objections and Misunderstandings
1. Does Justification Promote Antinomianism?
Some argue that justification by faith alone leads to lawlessness. However, Scripture makes it clear that justification leads to sanctification, not sin. Paul asks in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.”
Justification frees believers from the penalty of sin and empowers them to live in obedience to God, not as a means of earning righteousness but as a response to His grace.
2. Is Faith a Work?
Faith is often misunderstood as a work that merits justification. However, Ephesians 2:8-9 explicitly teaches that faith is a gift of God. Faith is not meritorious; it is the empty hand that receives Christ’s righteousness.
3. Roman Catholicism and Justification
The Roman Catholic Church, as articulated in the Council of Trent, teaches that justification involves the infusion of righteousness and is maintained through faith and works. This synergistic view contradicts the biblical teaching that justification is a monergistic act of God, grounded solely in Christ’s work. Romans 4:5 declares, “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
We also repudiate the notion that justification is primarily about covenant membership rather than the imputation of righteousness. The biblical language of imputation (e.g., Romans 4:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21) and the emphasis on faith apart from works refute this view. Justification is not merely about inclusion in a community but about being declared righteous before God.
The Comfort and Assurance of Justification
1. Peace with God
Justification establishes peace with God, ending the hostility caused by sin. Romans 5:1 declares, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2. Assurance of Salvation
Because justification is based on Christ’s finished work, believers can have unshakable assurance of salvation. Romans 8:1 proclaims, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”
Practical Applications of Justification
1. Worship
Justification magnifies God’s grace and calls believers to worship Him with awe and gratitude. Paul’s doxology in Romans 11:33 captures this response, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
2. Humility and Gratitude
Justification humbles us, leaving no room for boasting. It also inspires gratitude, as salvation is entirely God’s work.
3. Evangelism and Mission
The doctrine of justification compels believers to proclaim the gospel, offering the hope of reconciliation with God through faith in Christ.
Conclusion
Justification is the heart of the gospel, proclaiming that sinners are declared righteous before God solely by His grace through faith in Christ. It magnifies God’s mercy, exalts Christ’s atoning work, and provides profound assurance to believers.
For the church in Greenville, South Carolina, this doctrine is not only a foundation for faith but also a call to worship, witness, and live as those who are justified by grace. May we hold fast to this glorious truth and proclaim it boldly to a world in need of the gospel. As Romans 3:28 declares, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”