Are We Just Before God?

 

What is JUSTIFICATION by Faith?  

Gal. 2:15-16

This is the first appearance of the important word justification in this letter, and probably in Paul's writings (if, as we believe, Galatians was the first letter he wrote). "Justification by faith" was the watchword of the Reformation, and it is important that we understand this doctrine. (W. W. Wiersbe)

     1. How Are We Justified?   Vs. 16

"How should [a] man be just with God?" (Job 9:2) was a vital question, because the answer determined eternal consequences. "The just shall live by his faith" (Hab. 2:4) is God's answer; and it was this truth that liberated Martin Luther from religious bondage and fear. So important is this concept that three New Testament books explain it to us:  Romans (see 1:17), Galatians (see 3:11), and Hebrews (see 10:38). Romans explains the meaning of "the just"; Galatians explains "shall live"; and Hebrews explains "by faith."

     2. But What Is Justification?

Justification is the act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous in Jesus Christ. Every word of this definition is important.  (W. W. Wiersbe)

         A.  Justification Is an Act and Not a Process.  No Christian is "more justified" than another Christian. ‘Having therefore been once-and-for-all justified by faith, we have peace with God’ (Rom. 5:1) this is the literal message of this verse!  Since we are justified by faith, it is an instant and immediate transaction between the believing sinner and God. lf we were justified by works, then it would have to be a gradual process.

         B.  Justification is an Act of God and Not of Man.

Furthermore, justification is an act of God; it is not the result of man's character or works. "It is God that justifieth" (Rom. 8:33). It is not by doing the "works of the Law" (Gal. 2:16) that the sinner gets a right standing before God, but by putting his faith in Jesus Christ. As Paul will explain later in this letter, the Law of Moses was given to reveal sin and not to redeem from sin (see Rom. 3:20). God in His grace has put our sins on Christ-and Christ's righteousness has been put to our account (see 2 Cor. 5:21).

          C.  Justification is God Declaring the Believing Sinner Righteous.

In justification, God declares the believing sinner righteous; He does not make him righteous in this instance. (Of course, real justification leads to a changed life, which is what James 2 is all about) Before the sinner trusts Christ, he stands GUILTY before God; but the moment he trusts Christ, he is declared NOT GUILTY and he can never be called GUILTY again! (W. W. Wiersbe)

          D.  Justification Involves more Than Mere Forgiveness.

Justification is not simply "forgiveness," because a person could be forgiven and then go out and sin and become guilty. Once you have been 'justified by faith" (Gal. 2: 16) you can never be held guilty before God. The righteous status we received initially comes from Christ not our efforts.  

Justification is also different from "pardon," because a pardoned criminal still has a record. When the sinner is justified by faith, his past sins are remembered against him no more, and God no longer puts his sins on record (see Ps. 32:1-2; Rom. 4:1-8). You see, the Lord Jesus never actually sinned during his earthly life, though he fully took responsibility for all sin.          

          E.  God Only Justifies Sinners, Not Deserving People.

Finally, God justifies sinners, not "good people." Paul declares that God justifies "the ungodly" (Rom. 4:5). The reason most sinners are not justified is because they will not admit they are sinners! They refuse to acknowledge their serious need. And sinners are the only kind of people Jesus Christ can save (Matt 9:9-13; Luke 18:9-14).

When Peter separated himself from the Gentiles, he was denying the truth of justification by faith, because he was saying, "We Jews are different from and better then the Gentiles.”  Yet both Jews and Gentiles are sinners (Rom. 3:22-23) and can be saved only by faith in Christ. (W. W. Wiersbe)

Summary: If God does not require works of the law before he accepts people, how dare we impose a condition on them which he does not impose? If God has accepted them, how can we reject them?