Daily Christian Journey

Unlocking the Doctrine of Justification

Justification is a fundamental concept in Christianity, and understanding its intricacies is crucial for every believer. At its core, justification is a judicial declaration of righteousness, not a transformation of one’s character. It’s a metaphor from the law court, where a judge pronounces someone as either guilty or not guilty.

Key Aspects of Justification

1. Judicial, Not Experiential: Justification is about being declared righteous, not made righteous. It’s a legal declaration, not an experiential transformation.
2. Includes Forgiveness: When God justifies believing sinners, he forgives their “lawless deeds” and covers their sins.
3. Imputation: Justification involves imputing Christ’s righteousness to the believing sinner. God doesn’t just cancel our guilt; he credits us with Christ’s righteousness.
4. Vertical, Not Horizontal: Justification is primarily about our relationship with God, not with other humans. It’s about soteriology, not ecclesiology.

Why Justification is Necessary

All humans are sinners under God’s condemning wrath. No one can stand before God as righteous on their own merits. Justification is necessary because we need a way to stand before God as righteous.

The Basis of Justification

Justification is based on God’s imputing Christ’s righteousness to believing sinners. This is possible because of:

• Propitiation: Jesus’s sacrificial death propitiates God the Father, satisfying his righteous wrath against us.
• Resurrection: God raised Christ from the dead to publicly vindicate him and confirm our justification.
• Union with Christ: Believers are united to Christ, making his propitiation and resurrection applicable to us.

Inseparable Gifts

Justification is inseparable from other gifts of redemption, including:

• Sanctification: The process of becoming holy, which is distinct yet inseparable from justification.
• Assurance: The confidence that God will finish what he started in us.
• Glorification: The ultimate goal of justification, where God publicly vindicates believers.

The Ultimate Goal of Justification

Justification ultimately glorifies God. Its purpose is not just to enable us to stand before God as righteous but to bring glory to God himself.

In conclusion, justification is a rich and complex doctrine that underlies the Christian faith. Understanding its various aspects and implications can deepen our appreciation for the gospel and our relationship with God.