Justification

What does it mean to be justified by God? Someone once said justified means it’s just-as-if-I’d-never-sinned. While this definition may explain the result of justification, it falls short of fully embracing the beauty of what God has done.

In the Bible, justification means God’s declaration that a sinner is righteous and in a right relationship with Him, not because of their own deeds, but through faith in Jesus Christ’s atoning work (His perfect obedience and sacrifice). It’s a judicial act where God credits Christ’s righteousness to believers, forgiving sins and removing condemnation, making them fully accepted and reconciled to Him, a gift received by grace through faith alone.

Romans 5:17 NLT says, “But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.”

Not only does God declare a sinner righteous, He also gifts His children with His righteousness. What God requires, He provides.

Many years ago, I decided I was going to do everything I could think of to obey God and act righteously throughout the day. I made a list of about twenty things I would do or not do. My willpower kicked in, and at the end of the first day I felt pretty good about my accomplishment. The second day wasn’t as good, and I felt a little guilty. So, I doubled down on my efforts, but at the end of the third day — I felt condemned and was miserable. Considering myself a complete failure, I wondered how God could expect me to live a righteous life with all the aggravations, distractions, and temptations in the world.

Over time, I understood what Paul says in Philippians 3:6 and 9 NIV. In verse six, Paul describes himself, “… as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.” Paul was a Pharisee (a strict religious leader) before coming to faith in Jesus. He recounts this time in his life as having “legalistic righteousness”. Then, in verse nine, Paul describes his life after becoming a follower of Jesus. “…not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”

Justification is a “judicial act” performed by God for the believer. Before faith in Jesus, Pual depended on his “legalistic righteousness” (righteousness based on doing all the right things and avoiding all the wrong things according to the law of God). After he became a believer, Paul became totally dependent on the righteousness of God, which He gifted to all who would receive Him.

Do you ever depend on your righteousness, only to discover it leaves you either miserable or self-righteous?

As we start a new year, let’s avoid trying to create our own righteousness? By faith, let’s embrace the righteousness God provides. He is not only our source of righteousness; He is our righteousness. Rather than seeking God for righteous actions, let’s seek the Righteous One! When we fully embrace the Righteous One, our actions will follow accordingly.

Prayer

“Dear God. Jesus is my righteousness. Rather than trying to produce righteousness, help me seek the Righteous One. May my honest effort to live a righteous life come from the Source rather than myself. Amen.”