Justification

The word justification is a very enlightening word it denotes acquittal. It comes from a word which means to render free or innocent thus denoting one to be righteous.  In Romans 4:25 Paul declares that Jesus was delivered for our offenses and raised for our justification. The word justification is used in two other passages in the New Testament, Romans 5:16-18 reveals that man’s justification comes through the free gift of God in the giving his son to suffer on the cross in our behalf that by his justice, love,
mercy and grace we through Christ in accordance with our obedience could be forgiven of our sin and thus declared innocent, because we have been acquitted.
Every Christian should stand in awe of God’s marvelous work in our behalf, and be thankful to him for his unspeakable gift, (2 Corinthians 9:15). In Isaiah 55:11, Isaiah reveals that “by his knowledge shall my righteous servant (Christ) justify many, for he shall bear their iniquity.” The gospel preached unto Abraham spoke of the righteousness God would make possible through Christ, (Galatians 3:8), that would be available to Jew and Greek through faith (Romans 3:10, Galatians 3:8).

The justification that provided by God through Christ is not through the Law of Moses (Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20). The justification of one comes freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24). Justification makes possible peace with God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). There are various elements involved in our justification: faith (Romans 5:1), grace (Romans 3:24) the blood of Christ (Romans 5:9), works of God (James 2:24). Not works of merit, i.e. not by works of righteousness which we have done, but by his own mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). It is by Grace we are saved and that not of ourselves (Ephesians 2:8).
The justification of which the Bible speaks cannot be earned or merited, but it must be accepted. This is done through one’s obedience to the gospel and is retained through one’s faithfulness to God (Hebrews 5:9, Revelation 2:10). The people on Pentecost were justified having heard the gospel preached and complied with the conditions required in Acts 2:38 “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name
(by the authority) of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” They that gladly received his word were baptized… (Acts 2:41). People continued daily to be saved or
justified and added to the church (Acts 2:47). Every account of conversion in the book of acts illustrates how they were justified in the sight of God.
Individuals today can also be justified by God if they desire to be so. Justification will not come through human devised plans or efforts but through God’s plan in Christ. Anyone who is willing to listen to the truth (for it is the only thing that frees) (John 6:44-45) and puts their trust in Christ and what he accomplished for us at Calvary (John 1:12, 3:36). The person willing to repent (change his mind and actions regarding his life) (Acts 2:38, Luke 13:35), who is willing to confess the name of Christ (Romans 10:10) and submits to the act of water baptism (Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16), not only can but will be justified, acquitted and innocent of all sin.

Bill Cantrell