The doctrine of justification is one of the most encouraging teachings in the Bible.  Justification is a forensic term that points to being acquitted in a court of law.  Of course, when used Biblically, it has to do with being acquitted in heaven’s court, that is, being declared not guilty by God.

The reality of justification is only available because of the great sacrifice that was made by Jesus, the Son of God.  It is by His blood that justification is possible.

Romans 5:9 (ESV)
⁹  Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.      

No greater love was ever shown than when Jesus gave up the riches of heaven to become the sin-offering we needed to be acquitted by God.  He was willing to be tortured on a tree, becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13), so that we could be saved from our sins and reconciled with God.  The encouraging news is that we are justified freely by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8).

It is a mistake, however, to conclude that we are justified by faith alone.  This teaching was introduced by man’s incorrect interpretation of scripture, rather than by what the Bible actually teaches.  What does the Bible say about faith alone?  Listen to James:

James 2:24 (ESV)
²⁴  You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

The works referred to by James are not meritorious, but works of obedience.  Yes, it is true that we are not justified by works of the law (Galatians 2:16), but works of obedience, the kind of works that justified Abraham (James 2:21), do play a part in our justification.

The Bible doctrine of justification was never meant to teach that a man can be saved apart from obedience to God.  There has never been a time when God did not demand obedience from man.  The Hebrews writer reminds us that Jesus is “the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”  Even Jesus said that only those who do the will of the Father will enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21).  Who wants to with Jesus?

What is encouraging about the Bible doctrine of justification is that we can be saved even though we are sinners.  Remember, we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  That means we are all guilty and deserve the penalty of death (Romans 6:23).  However, by the grace of God, Jesus came into this world and paid the price for our transgressions, paving the way for us to be redeemed apart from meritorious works.

What are meritorious works?  Meritorious works refer to perfect or sinless living.  Fortunately, that is not necessary.  We do not have to live flawlessly because our justification is based, not on the strength of our personal perfection, but on our faith in Jesus—faith that is demonstrated by our obedience to God.  When we do fall short and sin, we merely need to repent and ask God to forgive us (Acts 8:22), and our sin is covered by the grace of God.  I do not know about you, but to know that I can go heaven, even though I am so flawed, as long as I trust God and believe in His Son, is very, very comforting.  

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.