V. Justification

Justification means: The acceptance of a sinner as righteous through the merits of Christ. It has to do with our standing and relationship with God. It has to do with our judicial situation because of our guilt and then our acquittal by God because of Christ.

Because of Christ I am made "JUST-AS IF I'D" never sinned.

Justification is what takes place in heaven while regeneration takes place in my heart.

Why Is Justification Necessary?

1. It is God's provision for man's unlikeness to God.
2. Man is short of God's glory because of his sins (Romans 3:23).
   • a. "All have sinned."
   • b. "None righteous, profitable, respectful" (Romans 3:10-12).
   • c. "All have gone astray" (Isaaih 53:6).
3. Sin has separated man from God (Isaiah 59:2).
4. The consequences of sin without justification is judgment and eternal separation from God and all that is good. The only hope is justification.

What Justification Is Not:

1. The vindication of an innocent person as in Job 9:20 and in Luke 10:29.
2. It is not self-justification (Romans 8:33).
3. It is not doing good deeds to make up for sins.
4. It is not man's reasonings as follows: (Man tends to minimize his own guilt.)
   • a. "Since people are different, some need religion because they are weak." God says ... Romans 3:10-11.
   • b. "If people would obey the commandments, that would make them good." But God says ... Romans 3:11, 20.
   • c. "God will justify everyone." But see Romans 2:5, 6.
   • d. "God should justify the good and punish the bad." But see Romans 3:22-23.
   • e. "Each person should justify himself." But see Romans 8:33.
   • f. "Since no one can be sure of his salvation, we just hope for the best." But see Romans 3:24-26.

Mankind Seems To Have A Common Desire For Justification:

1. Human imperfection creates a desire to do things right and to make things perfect.
2. Man struggles for improvement--it is a symptom of imperfection.

"How Can Man Be Justified With God?" (Job 25:4).

1. "Who (Jesus) was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for justification."
2. "Through this man (Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things (Acts 13:38, 39). See Luke 18:13, 14, for an example.

The Effects Of Justification

"Being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Romans 5:9).