Justification: How Do I Get Right with God?
Why Justification Matters
Justification is one of the most profound truths of the Christian faith. Martin Luther called it "the truth of the gospel," emphasizing its central role in our understanding of salvation. But what does it mean to be justified before God? Why is it so crucial to our faith?
The Meaning of Justification
The term "justification" comes from the legal world—it means to be declared righteous, innocent, or not guilty. In biblical terms, it refers to God’s act of declaring sinners righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not about moral improvement or earning God’s favor; rather, it is a gift of grace, entirely dependent on Christ’s work on our behalf.
Paul addresses this in Galatians 2, where he defends the gospel against those who insisted that obedience to Jewish laws was necessary for salvation. In verses 15-16, he makes it clear:
"We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." (Galatians 2:16, ESV)
Why Works Cannot Justify Us
Many people assume that being a good person, following moral rules, or doing religious acts will earn them a right standing with God. But Paul makes it clear—no one can be justified by the works of the law. Why?
We All Fall Short – Scripture tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). No matter how much good we do, our efforts cannot erase our sin or meet God’s perfect standard.
The Law Exposes Our Need – The law was never meant to save us. Instead, it acts as a mirror, showing us our sin and our need for a Savior (Romans 3:20). It reveals our inability to meet God’s righteous demands.
Salvation Comes Through Faith – Justification is not about what we do but about what Christ has done. It is by faith alone in Christ alone that we are made right with God.
The Gift of Justification
In Galatians 2, Paul explains that through faith in Christ, we receive His righteousness. This means our sin is completely paid for—Jesus took the penalty for us on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). It means we are declared righteous—God no longer sees our sin but sees us clothed in Christ’s perfection. And it means we are free from condemnation—there is no judgment for those who belong to Christ (Romans 8:1), so we can live in the confidence of His grace.
Living in the Freedom of Justification
When we truly understand justification, it changes the way we live. We no longer have to strive for God’s approval because we’re already accepted in Christ. That reality sets us free—free from self-condemnation, because our past sins and failures don’t define us; free from the fear of what others think, because our worth comes from God alone; and free to live by grace, responding with gratitude and joyful obedience instead of falling into legalism.
Stand Firm in the Gospel
Justification by faith alone is not just a theological idea—it is the very foundation of our faith. It is what gives us peace with God, confidence in our salvation, and freedom to live for Him. As Martin Luther boldly declared, "Here I stand, I can do no other." May we, too, stand firm in this truth, resting in the righteousness of Christ and proclaiming the good news that in Him, we are justified.
