Since the fall Humankind has attempted to reach God by doing good things.  Human beings want God to shower them with blessings and honor for their good deeds.  God in his infinite wisdom, before the fall of humankind, had a plan to redeem fallen man through the sacrifice of His own Son on Calvary. There can be no remission of sin without the shedding of blood as Hebrews 9:22 (KJV) explains, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”  This plan would allow fallen humankind back into God’s presence by exchanging a sinful, fallen nature with a new nature.  The new nature in human beings would allow them to love God and follow His direction.  Ezekiel 36:26-27 KJV states, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”  God’s plan from the fall was to destroy the curse of sin and death through the redemption of humankind and the forgiveness of their sin. The doctrine of justification is a major component of the plan of salvation, God’s grace declares the sinner in a right relationship with God and allows humankind present, future, and eternal access to God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

What is Justification?

The biblical definition of justification is the act of God which legally makes the sinful human cleared from all charges that deserved a death sentence.  It does not clear them of guilt, but it clears the penalty of their guilt.  It is the same idea that is used in our modern-day court system.  If a defendant is found guilty of all charges, and then a friend of the court comes and explains to the judge that they want to take the punishment, fines, and charges of the guilty person.  The guilty party would be allowed to go free.  God has created a scenario to free guilty humankind and allow His Son, Jesus, to accept the punishment for the world’s sin.  It is an amazing concept to think that the God who spoke all things into existence has offered this gift.

Terms of accepting justification

God has placed certain terms of receiving justification on everyone.  It is up to the person to accept His gift that has been given through His Son Jesus Christ.  Since Jesus died and paid the ultimate penalty for our sins, God requires that we confess and believe in Jesus to receive justification and reconciliation to God.  There is no need for humans to attempt to clear their own name with God.  Jesus Christ has done the clearing for us already.

Right Relationship with God

Our relationship with God has been in chaos since the fall of humankind in the Garden of Eden.  Romans 5:12 KJV states, “Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s law. Whenever anyone breaks the law, there are not only consequences but also punishment for the lawbreaking.  The punishment is eternal death and separation from God.  There is no way for a Holy and Righteous God to place His creation in a right relationship with Himself without allowing humankind to have a means to repair the damaged relationship.  God created the plan of salvation in which Christ, would come to earth as a Man and still be fully God, and would take our place and allow all of God’s wrath against sin to fall upon Himself.  This plan when and if accepted by mankind puts them back in the right relationship with God by His means and not our own.

God’s gives the believer a Present and a Future Hope.

As humans, we will continue to sin.  Although God has placed His Holy Spirit in us, we still find ways to disobey God.  We must realize that the doctrine of justification is one that allows us a present and future hope.  One way of looking at this is that once we accept Christ as our Savior, we have forgiveness that is eternal.  This forgiveness does not mean we have a license to sin, but it gives us freedom to come to God and ask for forgiveness whenever we fall short of what is expected of us as believers.  This is our present hope. 

Theology Applied states this point, “the doctrine of justification is a concept that should be understood as being instantaneous.” (Etzel, G. et.al 2012, pg.123).  Believers are placed in a right relationship with God the moment they accept the gift of Jesus Christ’s suffering in our stead.  Every soul is equally afforded the opportunity to place their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.  This is our future hope. In Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) states, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”  Our expected end as a believer is to spend eternity in the presence of our Savior and King. 

Conclusion

Justification is an important part of the salvation plan designed by God.  This salvation gift is free for us because of the shedding of Jesus’ blood.  His blood is the perfect payment for our sins.  Nothing we could do would grant us access to the heavenly throne room of God.  It is what Christ has done that redeems us and justifies us. There is nothing a believer can do that could cause them to lose this gift and nothing that they can do that would help them gain heaven and eternal life.