The Doctrine of Justification

What is Justification? Some would say it means “just-as-if-I’d-never-sinned.” Although this sounds good, preaches well, and is good rhetoric, it’s somewhat misleading. Technically, justification is better rendered, “just-as-if-I’d-sinned-but-God-still-made-me-right.” Even that definition needs to be unpacked – So let’s unpack it…

Some believe that the purpose of Romans is to demonstrate the doctrine of Justification by Faith – and rightly so. It is here that where we will find out what it is, how it works, and how it affects the believer.

First of all, Justification means, “to declare as righteous” and righteous simply means ‘right.’ In essence, justification is when God declares a person “okay.” Justification makes a person “okay” so that they can go to heaven. Consider this illustration:

A long time ago, there was a boy who ran a red light and was pulled over by a police officer. The boy knew what he had done, which is why he was sweating and ticked off at himself. The police officer approached him. “License and registration please” he said firmly. After realizing they were from the same neighborhood, the police officer then asked, “do you know my son?” The boy looked at the officers name tag and made the connection! He had realized the officer was his friend’s dad! So, he said, “Yes. We’re good friends.” The officer, in grace, justified the boy: “take him out to lunch next time you see him. Now get outta here.”

I am embarrassed to admit I am the boy, but I use it as an illustration for justification because it captures the big idea. Justification does not change what you’ve done (state), it changes your current status (standing) or how you are currently viewed. Although at fault and deserved of a penalty, the officer justified me; that is, he “declared the me as righteous” (“okay”) on the basis of my relationship with his son. The boy didn’t earn justification; he didn’t deserve it; he could never repay it; but the boy received justification. He received grace; something that he didn’t earn or deserve, and that which he could never repay.

Romans 4:4-5 explains the Justification as a divine transaction. All that means is God puts something in our spiritual bank account.

More to come on this issue in our next class.

Semper Scriptura!
Ryan