Justification

Article 15 - Justification

15-1 Justification is the act of God’s grace whereby the sinner is declared righteous solely through faith1 in the redemptive work of Christ.2 By this action the righteousness of Christ is imputed,3 sin is pardoned, and the sinner is restored to divine favor.4

Read footnote 1 on pg. 491-92 in Reformed Dogmatics.

In the doctrine of justification by faith, the righteousness of God is forensic.

Declared Righteous

Rom 3:21-26.

Romans 3:21–26 ESV

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

The placement of the this text

Paul had argued that all without exception deserve the judgement of God because of their sin in 1:18-3:21.

This fact is made explicitly clear in 3:23.

So God’s standard is perfect obedience, which rules everyone out.

The place of the law

Romans 3:21–22 ESV

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

Paul argues that a right relationship with God is not obtained by obeying the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:24 ESV

and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

All people who trust in Christ are justified by God because of the redemption He accomplished.

The propitiation of Christ

Romans 3:25–26 ESV

whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

By virtue of Christ’s death, God set Him forth as a propitiatory sacrifice.

As we have noted over the past several weeks, the concept of propitiation and the imagery of blood point us back to the OT sacrificial system.

Taking into account the line of argument found in Rom. 1:18-3:20, the logical question will center on how the wrath of God can be averted. The answer is Rom. 3:25.

The setting forth of Christ as the propitiation for sins, according to v. 26, showed God’s righteousness at the present time. In other words, Christ’s death demonstrates God’s holiness and justice at the present juncture in salvation history.

So God’s justice is satisfied because Christ bore the full payment for sin, and God is also the justifier because on the basis of the cross of Christ, sinners receive forgiveness through faith in Christ.

The verbal form of righteousness, as seen in v. 26 (the justifier) is best to be understood as God declaring those who has faith in Jesus.

Through Faith

Faith Alone

Rom 1:17.

Romans 1:17 ESV

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Gal. 2:16.

Galatians 2:16 ESV

yet 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.

Not by Works

Rom. 3:28.

Romans 3:28 ESV

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Rom 4:4-5.

Romans 4:4–5 ESV

Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

Faith is not a Work

While Paul makes clear that people are justified by faith, our faith is not the ultimate reason we are justified.

The ultimate reason people are justified centers on Christ’s redemptive work.

Rom. 4:25.

Romans 4:25 ESV

who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Faith rests upon and unites us to Christ. Faith is the belief and trust in the truth of the gospel, which is ultimately the expression of a heart that has been changed by God.

Imputed Righteousness

The Great Exchange

Rom 5:18.

Romans 5:18 ESV

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

Sin was condemned in the flesh of Jesus

Rom. 8:3.

Romans 8:3 ESV

For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

Double Imputation

2 Cor. 5:21.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Pardoned & Restored

Isa 55:7.

Isaiah 55:7 ESV

let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.