Tangent #2 Justification

“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” Rom 3:28

Justification is the act of God declaring a sinful man righteous. As you read through Romans you will find that it talks about being justified by things other than faith. There are 4 different things including faith by which we are justified. Here they are:

1. Justified by faith – Rom 3:28 “…we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.”
2. Justified by grace – Rom 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
3. Justified by His blood – Rom 5:9 “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!”
4. Justified by works – Rom 4:2 “If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about – but not before God.”

Justification by faith is an action of man directed toward God.
Justification by grace is an action of God directed toward man.
Justification by blood is an action of God directed toward Himself.
Justification by works is an action of man directed toward man.

Justification by faith is the primary focus of Romans and I have discussed it at length in my previous writings. Justification by grace emphasizes that justification is unmerited. It contains with it the concept of a gift from God as opposed to the concept of a wage or reward from God. Justification is not earned or merited but it is something that God gives us that we do not deserve.

Justification by blood has to do with atonement or propitiation. The concept of atonement or propitiation is, according to a Google definition, the satisfaction of God’s wrath by means of a sacrifice. Pagans would try to satisfy their angry gods by sacrificing animals and even humans. However, to satisfy the wrath of the living God against our sin, a perfect sacrifice was required. Jesus was that sacrifice. Literally, Jesus bore our sins and God’s wrath was poured out on Him until every last drop of God’s wrath was satisfied.

Justification by works is being declared righteous by other people. The only benefit of it is that you can boast about how righteous you are. Other than that, it does not affect your standing before God.

Here is a hymn inspired by someone in 1875 who understood justification. Ponder the words and the truths of Romans and lift your heart in worship!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we;
Spotless Lamb of God was he;
Full atonement can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!