The Meaning of “Justification”

     In the Scripture, the term justification means “to declare or pronounce one to be righteous or holy before God.” We see this in Acts 13:38.39, where the apostle Paul declared the Gospel to the Jews – “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Christ the Lord) is preached (declared) unto you the forgiveness of sins.” In other words, Paul told them that the only way of salvation was through the WORK OF CHRIST ALONE. Notice verse 39 – “And by Him (by His power) all that believe (literally, are persuaded) are (not will be, but are already) justified (declared legally righteous according to God’s Law and Justice) from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” 

From the last part of this verse we see that justification cannot be obtained by our personal obedience to the law. Therefore, the hope or cause of justification (being declared legally righteous and holy before God) cannot be personal obedience, sincerity of religion (the Jews had a “zeal for God“), or even faith. The hope, or cause of JUSTIFICATION is Christ’s finished work of redemption at Calvary – “Being (having already been) justified (declared legally righteous) freely (as a gift) by His grace (unmerited favor) THROUGH THE REDEMPTION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS” (Romans 3:24.) The hope of justification is the work of redemption performed solely by Christ alone though His substitutionary death at Calvary. This work of redemption JUSTIFIED all the elect, ONCE FOR ALL, at Calvary. To God be all the praise, glory and honor for His glorious grace.

 

-preacher Richard Warmack 

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