Justification by faith is
the act of God by which
He declares a sinner righteous in His sight
through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
It is a legal (forensic) declaration,
not a process of becoming righteous.
The believer is counted righteous because
the perfect righteousness of Christ
is credited to him or her.
The Apostle Paul sets forth this truth most clearly in Romans and Galatians:
“We hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” (Romans 3:28)
“A person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 2:16)
Other key statements include:
Justification involves two closely related aspects:
Justification is:
Faith is the sole instrument by which a person receives justification. Faith is not a work that earns acceptance; it is the empty hand that receives the gift of Christ’s righteousness. God justifies the ungodly who trust in Jesus, not those who try to establish their own righteousness.
Justification must be distinguished from sanctification:
| Aspect | Justification | Sanctification |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Legal declaration | Progressive transformation |
| Timing | Instantaneous | Lifelong process |
| Basis | Christ’s finished work | The Holy Spirit’s ongoing work |
| Result | Right standing before God | Growth in actual holiness |
Justification is the foundation; sanctification is the fruit that grows from it.
Justification by faith alone is at the heart of the gospel. It assures the believer that acceptance with God rests entirely on the finished work of Christ and not on personal performance. This truth produces peace, humility, gratitude, and the freedom to pursue holiness without fear of condemnation. It is the doctrine by which the church stands or falls.
Entry compiled for the JESUSaves.com Bible Glossary. Optimized for wiki.js Visual Editor.