Understanding Justification
And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:11 (CSB)
Justification is the declaration of being made righteous before the Lord. This truth does not imply that we attain perfection in this life or that we can earn righteousness through faithful living. Instead, justification involves being declared righteous before the Lord due to our relationship with Jesus and being made righteous as we are covered by the righteousness of Christ. We must understand that justification is apart from the law, is a free and gracious gift from God, comes through Christ alone, and reveals the righteousness of God.
Apart from the Law. The law was given to the people of Israel for the purpose of living in faithfulness before the Lord. It served as a guide for their relationship with Him. The law provided guidance for life, sacrifices to seek reconciliation, and expectations for living according to the Lord's will. It was the means by which people in the Old Covenant sought to live righteously before the Lord. In justification, the law no longer served as the way to gain righteousness in His eyes. Justification comes through Christ alone in the New Covenant and is apart from the law.
Free And Gracious Gift. Righteousness in the sight of the Lord can never be earned. Our fallen state does not allow us to live a life of perfection and complete obedience before the Lord. We become justified not in our efforts or works, but as the free and gracious gift of God. Justification is freely given to those who respond to the free invitation to receive Christ as Lord and Savior. Justification is a gift of grace because God, through Christ, gives us the gift of justification that we do not deserve.
Reveals God’s Righteousness. The gift of justification unveils God’s righteousness because it reflects His righteous character. We discover that God’s character is made evident as He extends righteousness through grace and mercy. This enables us to perceive God’s righteousness as we enter into a reconciled relationship with Him. Our understanding of God’s righteousness deepens after salvation as we experience transformation and become more like Christ.
QUESTIONS
How does justification through Christ differ from the Old Covenant and justification being grounded in the law?
When you consider justification, how does being viewed as justified reveal the righteousness of the Lord?
