What the Bible says about Justification as the Declaration of Righteousness
(From Forerunner Commentary)

Job 25:2-4 All of us sin, so who can escape the condemnation of Him who sees all and knows all? There is no vindication, no exoneration, before God. If He so desired, He could name all of our sins, and if He determined to execute justice, no one could call Him into account. If we are not impressed with God's gift of grace after considering that, then there is something wrong with us. Justification is the declaration of righteousness. God simply declares us innocent and righteous. He does this legally on the basis of Christ's priceless sacrifice. John W. Ritenbaugh Grace Upon Grace Related Topics: All Have Sinned | God's Grace | Grace | Jesus Christ's Sacrifice | Justice | Justification | Justification as the Declaration of Righteousness

Romans 4:5-13 Before all else, God requires a person to have faith in order to be justified. Then, he must repent of his sins (Psalm 51; Matthew 3:1-2; Acts 2:37-38; 3:19) and upon baptism, be born from above (or made spiritually alive) by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-8). Much more than a simple human decision, justification is God's recognition and acceptance of an individual's repentance and decision to be baptized. At that time, a faithful individual becomes a part of the Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13) through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit (Romans 8:10; Galatians 2:20; I John 3:24). Martin G. Collins Are You Justified? Related Topics: Baptism | Becoming Born Again | Born from Above | Justification | Justification and Spirit of God | Justification as Alignment with God | Justification as the Declaration of Righteousness | Repentance

Romans 8:33 The verb justify (dikaiô in Greek) is a legal term meaning “to acquit, to declare as righteous”; it is the opposite of “condemn.” Synonymous terms are “count righteous,” “remit sins,” and “not count sin” (Romans 4:5-8). Since only a judge can justify the accused or offer pardon, our justification must proceed only from our supreme Judge—God the Father—whereby He makes us acceptable and sets us in a right relationship with Him, vindicated and declared to be in the right. Martin G. Collins Are You Justified? Related Topics: dikaio | God Brings Things Back in Alignment | Justification | Justification as the Declaration of Righteousness | Remission | Remission of sins | To be declared righteousness

 

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