The Nature of Justification
Justification as Declarative
Justification · 5 verses
Justification is a legal declaration, not a moral transformation. God does not make the sinner righteous in justification but declares him righteous based on an alien righteousness—the righteousness of Christ imputed to his account. This forensic character distinguishes justification from sanctification, which actually changes the believer's character.
Scripture References
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.”
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”