What Does the Bible Say About Justification By Faith Alone?

Martin Luther 

        Read Romans chapters 3 and 5. The Bible teaches us that the way a person is made right with God is through the doctrine of justification by faith. Justification is one of the most important doctrines in the Bible. This doctrine is the very heart of the gospel. If a church does not teach and preach justification it is a church that has departed from the historic Christian faith.

In the book of Romans the Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1. All those who have felt the convicting influence of the Holy Spirit in their lives and who have seen themselves as guilty sinners before God long in their souls to have peace with God. 

It is a fearful thing for a sinner to face the wrath of a holy God. So how do we find peace with God? The Apostle Paul answers that question with this verse. “Therefore having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

What is justification by faith? The verb “justify” means to declare not guilty. It is a term often associated with the courtroom. When a judge hears the evidence of a case and finds the defendant not guilty he makes a declaration and declares the defendant not guilty. Justification is the act of God declaring the sinner who repents and believes on Christ not guilty in the courtroom of heaven. How can God do this? How can God remain just and punish sin and yet at the same time deal with sin and pardon those who are sinners? The answer is found in the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ. God has condemned sin by laying the sins of all that He has chosen to salvation on His Son and then punishing His Son in their place. In this way God is both just and justifier of the ungodly. God deals with our sins and He transfers the perfect obedience of His Son to those He has chosen to salvation. We should think of it this way, God has transferred our sins to Christ and transferred Christ’s holiness to us. This double transfer is called justification by faith alone.

Why is it important that we believe in the doctrine of justification by faith alone? The doctrine of justification is unique to Christianity. All the other religions of the world practice a works based salvation. Only in the Christian faith can a person be declared not guilty before God and have peace with God based on the work of another. It is the finished work of God’s Son that justifies the believing sinner.

In Romans chapter five the Apostle Paul lists a number of things that happen as a result of justification by faith alone. Here is what Paul says:

1. Justification gives us peace with God.

2. Justification gives us access to God’s presence with boldness.

3. Justification enables us to stand in the presence of God.

4. Justification enables us to rejoice in the hope of our great salvation.

5. Justification is the reason that God pours His love into our hearts.

6. Justification means that we are no longer condemned in God’s courtroom.

7. Justification means that we are totally forgiven of all of our sins past, present and 

        future.  

Questions:

• What is the meaning of justification?

• How is justification related to a courtroom?

• What is the result of justification?

• How can God be both just and justifier of the ungodly?

• Why does the doctrine of justification give a believing sinner peace with God