Lesson Description

In this lesson, we will explore the biblical meaning of justification and discover what it means to be justified by faith in Jesus Christ. We will learn that justification is not something we earn through religious activities or good works. It is God’s gracious provision through the redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ. We will also understand how justification gives believers peace with God and confidence in what Christ has accomplished.

1. What Does Justification Mean?

To be justified means to be declared righteous or to be regarded as righteous before God. In the Gospel, justification describes God’s gracious act of establishing a person’s righteous standing through Jesus Christ.

Before understanding justification, we must recognise that we cannot establish our own righteousness before God through personal effort. We need what God has provided through His Son.

Romans 5:1 (KJV)

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Notice the order of Paul’s teaching. We are justified by faith, and through our Lord Jesus Christ, we have peace with God.

Our peace with God rests on Jesus Christ, not on our ability to prove that we deserve His acceptance.

Justification is not a reward for people who have achieved spiritual perfection. It is part of God’s provision through the Gospel for those who believe in Jesus Christ.

2. How Are We Justified Before God?

The Bible teaches that justification comes through God’s grace and the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:24 (KJV)

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

The word freely reminds us that justification is not a payment we earn through our own efforts.

God’s grace is the source, and Jesus Christ’s redemption is the foundation of our justification.

We cannot purchase justification through prayer, fasting, giving money, keeping religious traditions, or performing good deeds. These activities cannot replace the redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ.

This does not mean that prayer, giving, and godly living are unimportant. They have their proper place in the Christian life, but they are not the price of our justification.

Our justification rests on what Jesus Christ has accomplished, not on what we can accomplish for ourselves.

3. Does God Justify Us Because We Are Already Perfect?

No. The Bible does not teach that we must first establish our own perfect record before God can justify us.

Consider what Paul writes about Abraham.

Romans 4:5 (KJV)

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

This verse reveals something important about God’s grace. Paul speaks of God justifying the ungodly person who believes in Him.

God does not ask us to boast in our own goodness as the basis of our acceptance. Instead, we are called to believe in the One who justifies.

This truth should remove the idea that we must earn God’s righteousness through religious performance.

However, it does not mean that wrongdoing is acceptable or that believers should refuse correction. It means that our need for spiritual growth must not be confused with the foundation of our justification.

We grow in our understanding and conduct, but we do not replace Christ’s work with our own efforts.

4. What Is the Relationship Between Justification and Peace with God?

One of the blessings of justification is peace with God through Jesus Christ.

Before understanding the Gospel, people may imagine that they must continually perform enough religious activities to persuade God to accept them. Such thinking can lead to fear and uncertainty about their standing before Him.

But Paul explains that those who are justified by faith have peace with God through Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:1 (KJV)

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

This verse directs our attention to the freedom from condemnation found in Christ.

Believers should not live as though Jesus’ sacrifice were insufficient or as though they must repeatedly earn the right to approach God.

When we understand the Gospel, we can approach God with confidence in Christ while remaining willing to learn, grow, and receive correction through His Word.

Peace with God does not mean that we will never experience difficult emotions or that every earthly problem will disappear. It means that our relationship with God is grounded in Jesus Christ rather than in our ability to earn His favour.

5. Does Justification Mean That We Never Need to Repent or Change?

No. Justification must not be confused with the idea that our behaviour no longer matters.

God’s grace gives us a secure foundation from which we can face our mistakes honestly. We do not need to hide our failures or pretend that we have never done wrong.

Instead, we can acknowledge our wrongdoing, turn away from it, receive instruction from God’s Word, and continue to trust in Christ.

Titus 2:11–12 (KJV)

Verse 11: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,”

Verse 12: “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”

God’s grace teaches us to live in a way that honours Him.

We must therefore avoid two errors:

• Believing that we must earn justification through our own goodness.

• Believing that justification makes repentance, godly living, and spiritual growth unnecessary.

The Gospel gives us confidence in Christ while directing us towards a life shaped by God’s truth.

6. Practical Example

Imagine a person who has spent years believing that God will accept him only if he performs enough religious activities.

Whenever he makes a mistake, he becomes afraid that God has rejected him. He tries to compensate by doing more religious work, hoping to restore his standing through his own efforts.

One day, he studies Romans 5:1 and begins to understand justification by faith.

He realises that his peace with God comes through Jesus Christ. He no longer needs to treat religious activities as payments for God’s acceptance.

When he makes a mistake, he acknowledges it rather than hiding it. He learns from God’s Word and seeks to live differently, but his confidence remains in Christ.

His prayers, service, and good works now flow from his understanding of God’s grace rather than from an attempt to purchase justification.

The lesson: Justification directs our confidence away from our own achievements and towards the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Remember

Justification is God’s gracious provision through Jesus Christ, received by faith. We do not earn it through religious activities, personal achievements, or good works.

Because we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This truth gives us confidence in His provision while encouraging us to continue growing in our understanding and conduct.

Key Scriptures to Remember:

• Romans 5:1

• Romans 3:24

• Romans 4:5

• Romans 8:1

• Titus 2:11–12