Words to know

Justification? Sanctification? As you study the Bible or attend Bible studies or church service (depending on the version of the bible you use) you may run into words like these. If you are new to bible reading or have been away for a while (like I had), these words may be intimidating or overwhelming. Never fear, I am here to help you.

In the next five posts, I am going to tackle some of these terms such as justification, righteousness, sanctification, glorification, and the judgment seat of Christ. I hope to help define each term and show you how I have applied them to my life, in hopes of helping you apply them to yours.

In this first post, we will define justification and talk about what it is and what it is not. Without further ado let’s dive into God’s word, so we can get more of Jesus in our lives!

Justification is the acquittal of our sins.

Justification is when God makes us right in his sight. He doesn’t just pretend we didn’t sin. When Jesus was hanging on the cross, God laid all his wrath on Jesus. Jesus paid the price of our sins. We receive justification when we believe that Jesus paid the price for our sins.

“Everyone was going to be punished because Adam sinned. But because of the good thing that Christ has done, God accepts us and gives us the gift of life.” (Romans 5:18) Adam brought sin and death into the world. Jesus’ sacrifice defeated both sin and death. God did this so that we could be made right in his sight. Justification is a gift that leads to the next point.

Justification is not earned.

“God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life’s blood, so by faith in him we could come to God. And God did this to show that in the past he was right to be patient and forgive sinners. This also shows that God is right when he accepts people who have faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:25-26 CEV)

It’s God’s goodness that created a way for fallen man to come back into a relationship with Him.

It’s the same goodness of God that honored the faith of Abram, making him upright before God. Nothing Abram did made him right before God. Though Abram lived before the incarnate deity, Jesus, He believed in God. Abram was familiar with His spirit. He knew God’s goodness and faithfulness. Because of His faith, Abram was made right in God’s sight. He was justified by faith.

Justification is not an excuse to keep sinning.

We were made right in God’s sight when we first believed Jesus to be our savior, however, justification isn’t idle.

To make us right in His sight, God must change us. He changes us from our broken sinful, nature into “new creations.”(2 Corinthians 5:17)  We can’t go on doing the same thing.

“Some of you used to be like that. But now the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the power of God’s Holy Spirit have washed you and made you holy and acceptable to God” (1Corinthian 6:11)

Paul is addressing the Corinthians for the first time. In the earlier verse, he lists off some offenses, The thief or greedy person, the dunk, and people who curse and cheat, saying “Some of you used to be like that.”

Paul acknowledges that they had a past, but He continues, telling them that because they are in a relationship with Jesus now, the Holy Spirit washed them clean of their sins, and they are made new. Knowing that they can’t go on doing the same things they did.

When God broke through to my heart, Jesus became more than just a word on the pages, on that wet and miserable day in March I realized that Jesus loved me so much. That He died so that I could be made right with God; ending the cycle of sin and death I was trapped in. That is what justification is all about to me. It is that God made a way, Jesus, for us to connect to Him even though we are fallen and broken people.

Justification is Freedom

Justification means that Jesus paid the price so that we can now live a life free of sin and shame “There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus” (Roman 8:1 NLT).

We are free from fear of punishment for any sin we have or will make. “If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won’t be punished (Romans 8:1 CEV). I don’t know about you, but this is such a comfort to me. When I was in my prodigal years I strayed far from God and crossed lines I never thought I would. That is why I am so overwhelmingly thankful for God’s forgiveness, and His justification.

Justification is freedom from trying to save ourselves with “law” or good deeds. Paul tells us in Philippians “I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law, rather, I became righteous through faith in Christ. (Philippians 3:9)

Justification brings peace.

Justification brings peace “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (Romans 5:1)

Jesus is our way to God. “Jesus answered “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6)

Being made right with the Father, through Jesus Christ, is what overcomes sin and death. When the spirit of God enters our lives that is what gives us strength, joy, and peace no matter what comes.

Justification summarized.

In the first post of my word studies series, we have dove into the word of justification. Justification is being made right in God’s eyes. It is freedom from “the law”, acquittal from sin, it is peace with God. However, justification is not something we can earn, and it is not an excuse to keep living sinful lives.

Next week we’ll look at the word of sanctification. We will look at how we go from right in God’s sight in justification to living a righteous life every day, through sanctification. I hope you are ready to dive deep into God’s word. Feel free to drop me an email at Emilyb@moreofjesusplease.com or comment your thoughts in the comment section below.