THE DOCTRINE OF

JUSTIFICATION
One of the modern errors of today is to identify JUSTIFICATION with PARDON.
Justification is more than Pardon. To Justify means to DECLARE RIGHTEOUS.

Gods problem in redeeming man was to justify the sinner without condoning or justifying his sin.
Even though God is the God of Love, He is also the God of Justice.
God could not compromise in judgement and treat sin lightly.
Ezekiel 18:4 – “the soul that sinneth , it shall die.
Ezekiel 18:20 -- The soul that sinneth, it shall die.
In human court , the judge justify the righteous and condemned the wicked.
Deut.25:1 - If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges
may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
 God refuses to justify the guilty
Exodus 23:7 - ”I will not justify the wicked”
God pronounces judgement on human judges the pervert judgement
Isaiah 5:22-23 -- Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle
strong drink: 23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the
righteous from him!

Luke 16:15, Jesus condemns the Pharisees for justifying themselves before God.
The law, Romans 2:13, said, “But the doers of the law shall be justified.”
But the question facing the Triune God was: “What man could keep the law perfectly?”
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
The problem was so perplexing that only infinite wisdom and the grace of God were
equal to the task of solving it.
God’s solution: Jesus volunteered to be the Man to live the perfect life according to the
law, gain the righteousness and then give it as a gift to the believing.
 I.DEFINITION
What is justification?
It is being accounted righteous before God; the sinner puts on the righteousness of
Jesus Christ and God sees him perfect in the righteousness of Christ.

Henceforth God sees the sinner righteous in the Savior—hidden in His wonderful
Person.

Justification is the judicial act of God whereby those who put faith in Christ are
declared righteous in His eyes, and free form guilt and punishment.

Romans 4:3 “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
Romans 4:5 “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justified the
ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
 II. THE CONTENTS OF JUSTIFICATION

1. Forgiveness of sin and the removal of its guilt and punishment.

For a holy and righteous God to forgive sin is not a small matter; the truth is that God
actually delights in forgiving and cleansing iniquity.

Micah 7:181,19, “Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the
transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger forever, because
He delighteth in mercy.. He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins in to
the depths of the sea.”

In justification all our sins are forgiven and the guilt and punishment thereof removed.

Acts 13:38-39 “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is
preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all
 2. Imputation of Christ’s Righteousness

The forgiven sinner is not like a discharged prisoner who has served his
term and is discharged from further punishment but with no rights of
citizenship.
In Christ Jesus the sinner receives the full rights of citizenship.

Romans 3:22 “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus

Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.”

The perfect, holy righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to the sinner.

 III. THE CONDITION OF FORGIVENESS – FAITH

The sinner calls out, “How can I receive this gift of righteousness?”
The answer is , “By believing” on the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Galatians 2:16 -- “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the
law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ,
that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the
law.”

Romans 3:26 “To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness:

that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth on Him that
justifieth .
 IV. THE MEANS OF JUSTIFICATION

1. By God
He is the author or donor of justification.
Romans 8:33 “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.”

2. By grace
Grace is the foundation or source of justification.
Romans 3:24 “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Titus 3:7 “That being justified by His Grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

3. By Blood.
Blood is the foundation or ground of justification.
Romans 5:9 “Much more then, being now justified by His Blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

4. By resurrection.
Resurrection is the acknowledgement or proclamation of justification.
 V. THE EVIDENCE OF JUSTIFICATION –WORKS

The one who is truly justified will manifest this fact in good works.

James 2:21-23 “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he
had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest though how faith wrought
with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was
fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for
righteousness.”

This passage shows the proper relationship between faith and works.
By faith we are justified but after that we will live a righteous life which
manifests good works.
 VI. THE RESULTS OF JUSTIFICATION

1. Peace
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God.”
Peace of conscience through the mercy of God.
Peace of mind through the truth of God
Peace of soul through the presence of God.

2. Access into the presence of God for worship, praise and petition.
Romans 5:2 “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace.”
Access into favor with God—a new standing through justification.

3. Tribulation
Rev Samuel Matthew of Madras, India very carefully pointed out what he considered the two great
results of justification: peace with God and tribulation in this world, Romans 5:3
 CONCLUSION
We are justified judicially by God. Romans 8:33 “It is God that justifieth.”
We are justified meritoriously by Christ.

Isaiah 53:11 “He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: for
by His knowledge shall My righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear
their iniquities.”

We are justified evidentially by works.

James 2:14” What doth it profit, my brethren, through a man say he hath faith,
and have not works?”

In Luke 8:13-14, the sinner that prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner,”

 REVIEW QUESTIONS:

1. What is the difference between justification and pardon?

2. Define justification.
3. State the two items contained in justification with a Scripture for each.
4. How can you reconcile Exodus 23:7 and 1 Cor. 6:11?
5. What is the condition of justification? (3 Scriptures)
6. List the three means of justification. (one scripture for each)
7. What is the connection between resurrection and justification?
8. How can you reconcile James 2:21-23 and Romans 4:3-5
9. List five results of justification form Romans 5:1-3
10. How is Romans 5:1 a fulfillment of Isaiah 53:11?