Catechism Question 38
What is justification?
Justification is the gracious act of God in which He declares that we are totally righteous, as if we had never sinned and as if we had positively obeyed all of God’s law perfectly.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
In this question, we define the term justification. This is a very important biblical term, and it is critical that we have a clear understanding of what it means.
Note that there are several key points in the definition. First, justification is a gracious act of God. It is not something we earn, nor is it something we do. Second, justification is a legal declaration. It does not refer to an infusion of righteousness or a change in our nature, but rather refers to a legal declaration by God. This is evident not only from the actual meaning of the term, but also the way it is used in Scripture and other ancient writings. Third, in justification we are declared righteous, as if we had never sinned and as if we had actually obeyed God’s law perfectly. Both aspects are essential to justification. Justification is not “just as if I had never sinned” – it is “just as if I had never sinned and just as if I had kept the entire law perfectly.”
Additional Questions:
What does justification mean?
What does it mean that we have been justified?
Scripture References:
2 Corinthians 5:18–21
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Romans 8:33–34
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Philippians 3:7–9
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
Romans 4:5–8
However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”
Romans 3:20–26
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished — 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Questions for Further Discussion:
As a result of being justified, how does God view us? Are we partially or totally innocent?
Why is it important that justification is a legal declaration and not an infusion of righteousness into us?
Is the righteousness of justification our own, or is it the righteousness of Christ that is given to us? Why is that important?
Why is it important to understand that in justification we are not only counted as having not sinned but also as having actually kept God’s law perfectly?
Additional Information:
This question is based on questions 60 and 61 of the Heidelberg Catechism, question 33 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and question 32 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg, Westminster Shorter or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “Sola Fide – Justified By Faith Alone” (October 22, 2017); “Justification By Faith Alone” (June 29, 2014); “Justification By Faith Alone” (February 6, 2005); “The Great Exchange” (April 1, 2012).
Suggested Worship Song:
Jesus Thy Blood and Righteousness (by Count Nikolaus Ludwig Von Zinzendorf, 1739; trans. John Wesley, 1740)
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
’Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.
Bold shall I stand in Thy great day;
For who aught to my charge shall lay?
Fully absolved through these I am
From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.
Lord, I believe Thy precious blood,
Which, at the mercy seat of God,
Forever doth for sinners plead,
For me, e’en for my soul, was shed.
When from the dust of death I rise
To claim my mansion in the skies,
Ev’n then this shall be all my plea,
Jesus hath lived, hath died, for me.
This spotless robe the same appears,
When ruined nature sinks in years;
No age can change its glorious hue,
The robe of Christ is ever new.
Jesus, the endless praise to Thee,
Whose boundless mercy hath for me—
For me a full atonement made,
An everlasting ransom paid.
O let the dead now hear Thy voice;
Now bid Thy banished ones rejoice;
Their beauty this, their glorious dress,
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness.