Part 1: Justification in Christ Jesus
Daniel JusticeShare
The Bible teaches believers that justification (being declared righteous before God) is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law. This understanding is most fully developed in Paul's letters, especially Romans and Galatians.
Romans 3:23-26
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift,
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by
his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness... that he might
be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."
What message is God sending us by offering Salvation as a free gift?
To demonstrate His righteousness in passing over former sins (v. 25).
In the Old Testament, God forgave sins (like David’s adultery and murder) without
immediately punishing them. This forbearance might have appeared to compromise
His justice. By punishing sin fully in Christ, God shows that He was righteous even
when He delayed judgment on earlier sins.
To demonstrate His righteousness at the present time (v. 26).
At the cross, God proves He is both perfectly just (sin is punished in the substitute) and the justifier (He declares believing sinners righteous). Christ’s death upholds God’s justice while enabling Him to justify the ungodly without compromising His
holiness.
In what ways do people today still try to be justified by works, and how does this verse challenge that?
Relying on moral goodness or "being a good person" to outweigh sins.
Depending on religious rituals (baptism, church attendance, tithing, prayer
routines) as the basis for God's acceptance.
Pursuing self-improvement, philanthropy, or social justice efforts to feel worthy
before God.
Comparing themselves favorably to others ("I'm not as bad as...").
What "law" is Paul continually comparing faith to?
The Mosaic Law was the governing standard for Israelites from the time Moses encountered God at Sinai, until Jesus came and fulfilled the law for all time.
Romans 3:28 "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law."
Romans 4:5 "And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the
ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness."
Romans 5:9 "Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall
we be saved by him from the wrath of God."
Who are the "ungodly" that will be justified?
We all are. We are all sinners in need of this gift. Paul tells us that no one was
justified by the law of Moses, but that all are justified through this free gift by
simply believing in Christ Jesus..
What does Paul mean by "the wrath of God?
God's settled opposition to all that is evil, ungodly, and unrighteous. Unlike
human anger, which is often impulsive or selfish, God's wrath is never capricious;
it is always provoked by sin, perfectly consistent with His holiness, justice, and
love
God's wrath is currently revealed against human wickedness. Romans 1:18
It abides on those who reject Jesus Christ. John 3:36
It will culminate in the final judgement as the "bowls of God's wrath are poured
out onto the earth. Romans 2:5; Revelation 6:16-17; Revelation 15:7
Does this mean we are free to sin now that we are free in Christ?
Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace
may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”
Paul anticipates this very misuse of grace calling it unthinkable for believers.
What should the posture of our heart be, due to the gift God has given in His Son?
Our heart's posture should be one of profound gratitude, humility, worship, and
joyful obedience. We live in continual thankfulness, recognizing that everything we
have spiritually, forgiveness, righteousness, eternal life, is a pure gift of grace,
not earned. Knowing we were ungodly sinners saved only by mercy, we boast in
Christ alone, never in ourselves. Freed from sin's slavery and filled with the Spirit,
our hearts respond not out of fear or duty, but out of love:
"We love because
he first loved us" (1 John 4:19)
Justification is not earned through human effort, good works, or obedience to the law, but is a free gift of God's grace received through faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning death on the cross. Paul repeatedly contrasts faith with works, showing that all people are sinners who fall short of God's glory, and that Christ's blood alone satisfies God's justice, making forgiveness and right standing possible.
For believers today, this means that salvation and acceptance with God do not depend on personal merit, religious performance, or moral achievement, but solely on trusting in what Jesus has already accomplished.
Romans 5:1 [MEMORY VERSE] "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ."