Concept of justification by faith

Justification by Faith:

Our concept of justification in this article will be based on christian theology. In this light, justification is defined as an action performed by God's grace on a repentant sinner who voluntary renounces sin, receives God's forgiveness, and live in sanctifying grace henceforth. Therefore, our justification comes 'first' from God's grace (because we have all sinned), followed by our good thoughts and actions toward our neighbors.

Our justification comes first from Jesus Christ through his death on the cross. Simply put, we cannot attain salvation through our own efforts alone.

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Note: The terms 'justification' and 'salvation' will be used interchangeably in this article. They technically have the same meaning throughout this article.

Jesus declared the beautiful words of salvation in Luke 23:43 when he said to the crucified, remorseful and repentant thief via the words: 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise'. Through God's grace and mercy, the penitent thief (whose name is Dismas), gained access to Jesus' kingdom (not just because he was remorseful and repentant), but firstly because God's kingdom had been opened through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

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Therefore, this most important death and resurrection of Jesus (as stated above) serves as the first step towards our justification, then followed by our repentance and good works. This is corroborated through the bible verse below:

• For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast - Ephesians 2:8-9.

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Recall that out first parents (Adam and Eve) disobeyed God in the garden of Eden. However, they were punished and eventually banished from the garden (which happens to be paradise). Interestingly, humans had inherited this sin of our first parents (termed as original sin), alongside its punishment. As a result, original sin isn't committed by us, rather it is inherited.

Please read on the biblical account of first human disobedience here.

To nullify original sin, Jesus instituted the concept of baptism which specifically forgives this sin alongside every other sin committed by us. From this instance, we can confidently concur that original sin isn't forgiven by our good works. Rather, the grace of God remits it via the sacrament of baptism.

• Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit - John 3:5.

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The way of christianity is a path of faith in Jesus. This faith is based on the fact that christians believe in God, even though they are yet to see Him as He really is.

We still believe completely in God through the words of the holy scriptures as contained in Romans 10:17. It states thus: 'Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God'. Jesus Himself gave a verdict on this through the scripture verse below:

• Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed' - John 20:29.

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Our overall acts of becoming justified is certainly a function of God's grace. However, we cannot continue to live in sin so that grace may abound. St. Paul captures it clearly in his letter to the Romans when he said thus:

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! 

Romans 6:1-2

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St. Paul emphasized on our justification through faith, and that's absolutely correct. Paul spoke in this manner because he knew and understood that our salvation comes first and foremost from God through Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, recall that Abraham is our father in faith since he always believed and trusted God, even to an extent of almost sacrificing Isaac, his own beloved son. Agreeing with this fact, Paul referenced Abraham to have gained righteousness through faith (that is; just by believing and trusting God). This is captured in the bible verse below:

• What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about; but not before God. What does scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Romans 4:1-3.

However, it is noteworthy to state that faith alone in God may not be the only criteria for our justification. It must be supported with good works. In fact, St. James emphasized this in his statement below:

• For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also - James 2:26

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In the above verse, James cautioned those who had claimed to have faith in God, but yet; such faith wasn't eminent in their works and actions. Also, Jesus had initially observed a somewhat similar behavior with the pharisees, thus had referred to them as 'brood of vipers' in Matthew 12:34.

The gift of free will which God has given us requires that we must voluntarily acknowledge God's salvation. In this regard, the people of Philippians voluntarily accepted God's word in faith when they listened to Paul's teaching. However, Paul encouraged them to further on this path of salvation in fear and trembling through their work and actions. This is quoted below:

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Philippians 2:12-13

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Our justification in faith ensures that we live not under the law, but on grace, and our salvation rests upon this (Romans 6:14). In this light, God's grace is Jesus Himself. In fact, Jesus is the very reason for our justification, and this was emphatically expressed throughout his life (on earth), death and glorious resurrection.

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In summary, below are some bible verses that laid emphasis on our justification by faith:

• Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ - Romans 5:1.

• If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about, but not before God - Romans 4:2.

• Therefore the law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith - Galatians 3:24.

• By faith, Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith, he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith, Abel still speaks, even though he is dead - Hebrews 11:4.

• Therefore, we reckon a man to be justified by faith apart from works of the law - Romans 3:28.

• Nevertheless, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus, even as we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law; since by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified - Galatians 2:16.

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