One Sunday when I was in middle school or early high school, my pastor was teaching about the difference between the three parts of the salvation process: justification, sanctification, and glorification. As he was describing justification, he said “When I am justified, it’s just as if I’d never sinned.” This play on words has always stuck with me and reminded me of what being justified means.
But even this helpful phrase may leave you wondering—What exactly is justification? How is justification possible, and how can I know if I’ve been justified? What happens to me when I’m justified? If you’ve ever considered these questions, keep reading because this post is for you!
Pastor John Piper provides a simple definition for justification. He writes—
“‘Justified’ means that God declares you to be just in his sight by imputing to you the righteousness of Jesus.”[1]
We are a sinful people (Romans 3:10-11, 23). We’ve had a sin nature ever since the Garden of Eden (Romans 5:12, Psalm 51:5), and our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:2). We are dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1), destined for eternal separation from Him and the pouring out of God’s wrath in hell (2 Thessalonians 1:9). Yet, God loves us despite our transgressions, and He provided a way for us to be forgiven of our sins and saved from the wrath of God: the death of His Son.
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” Romans 5:8-9, ESV
Jesus left heaven to come to Earth, live a wholly righteous life, die the death that we deserve, and resurrect on the third day to justify us (Romans 4:25, 5:18). He took on all our sins and paid our debts on the cross. When He did this, His own righteousness was transferred (or imputed) to us (2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9, 1 Corinthians 6:11).
Imagine you’re in a courtroom, on trial for a crime that you, without a doubt, committed. You’ve been declared guilty, and the judge is just about to announce your sentencing. All of a sudden, someone walks in the courtroom and confesses to your crime, despite their complete innocence. That person takes on your guilt and gives you their innocence. This is what Jesus does when He justifies us. In his popular book Gentle and Lowly, author Dane Ortlund explains,
“To be justified is to be declared righteous in the sight of God, fully legally exonerated in the divine court, based entirely on what another (Jesus) has done in our place.”[2]
God is our Judge, and we have been declared guilty of sinning against our good and holy Creator. But Jesus graciously came and died in our place for our sins. In doing so, He took on our guilt and punishment and exonerated us of our crimes, allowing us to be seen as righteous in the eyes of the Lord. Jonty Rhodes notes,
“Our debt has been nailed to the cross and paid, the bills accounted for… In Christ we therefore no longer stand guilty. We are declared righteous: justified to use the Bible’s word.”[3]
Because our justification is rooted in the work of Christ, there is nothing we can do to win or earn it. We cannot achieve it by doing good works or obeying the Law (Romans 3:20, Galatians 2:16). Justification is a gift (Romans 3:24) that can only be received by faith in Jesus (Romans 3:28, Galatians 3:24). And it is a truly precious gift. A gift that removes all condemnation from us (Romans 8:1). A gift that allows us to become heirs of eternal life (Titus 3:7). A gift that provides us peace with the Father-
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
If you have put your faith in Jesus Christ and what He has done for you, you have been justified. Your sins have been washed away. Your guilt has been removed far from you. Your debts have been paid in full. If you have never trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I hope and pray you will do so today so that you can enjoy all the blessings and benefits of justification from now until eternity. If you have come to realize that you are guilty of sin and in need of justification, pray the following with me:
God, I confess that I have greatly sinned against You, my Creator. I am guilty and unworthy of Your grace and favor. But I believe that Jesus died for my sins and resurrected so that I may be justified in Your sight. Save me, justify me, and sanctify me so that I may spend eternity bringing You glory, and honor, and praise. I thank You for Your merciful forgiveness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
[1] John Piper, The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent (Wheaton: Crossway, 2014), 89.
[2] Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers (Wheaton: Crossway, 2020), 78.
[3] Jonty Rhodes, Man of Sorrows, King of Glory: What the Humiliation and Exaltation of Jesus Mean for Us (Wheaton: Crossway, 2021), 94.
