LIFE Posts - Justification
Last week we began to look at the meanings of freedom and noted that Jesus’ Freedom is – at its essential core – freedom from the bondage of sin. When someone accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, their identity is changed and they are set free from the bondage to sin. This week we focus on the fact that each believer is declared to be righteous, but not by their own work or performance. Their only part is to believe in Jesus, calling upon Him as Lord.
Romans 5:9 (NASB95) 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. [1]
Galatians 2:16 (NASB95) 16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. [2]
As Paul says in the scripture above, we are justified by Jesus’ blood, not by our efforts or performance. What, then, is this justification? In today’s language, the word justification is often used in the context of providing a reason, defense, or excuse for doing something that is being scrutinized or judged. This could range from one child claiming another pushed him or her as their justification for pushing them back, to a defendant on trial claiming self-defense as their justification for shooting someone. A Christian’s justification is a judicial decree, but is one made by Jesus about each believer in Him.
Anthony Hoekema writes, “Justification may be defined as that gracious and judicial act of God whereby he declares believing sinners righteous on the basis of the righteousness of Christ which is credited to them, forgives all their sins, adopts them as his children, and gives them the right to eternal life.”[3]
This is a core concept of our Christian identity, and is one we will emphasize and re-emphasize often, because the devil, our enemy, does not want us to believe it. He will point out our failures to try to cause us to doubt it. He will try to convince us we have to earn it, when it is simultaneously a gift that is given to us by grace, and earning it was never a human possibility.
One explanation of justification is that when we accept Christ, God’s decree over us makes us “just as if we’ve never sinned.” We are declared to be righteous. This transference of Jesus’ righteousness onto believers is what theologians call imputed righteousness. We don’t hear the word “impute” often today, so it is worthwhile to look deeper into its meaning.
Bruce Demarest writes (emphasis mine) that imputed righteousness is “… the sense of Christ’s righteousness being credited to believers… The Bible teaches that no person naturally possesses the standard of righteousness demanded by God (Ps 130:3; Is 64:6; Rom 3:10). Yet, in his gracious plan of salvation, God himself supplies the righteousness to satisfy his holy character (Is 45:24; 54:17; Hos 10:12). That is, as a person accepts by faith the work of Christ in satisfying the demands of God’s Law, God imputes or reckons Christ’s righteousness to the believer.”[4]
Romans 4:6–11 (NASB95) 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, And whose sins have been covered. 8 “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.” 9 Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised; 11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, [5]
The Greek root translated “credits/credited” in verses 6, 9, and 11 above is logizomai, which means “count, reckon, calculate, take into account; credit, place to one’s account; consider, think, suppose; evaluate, look upon as, class; maintain, claim; think on, reflect upon.”[6] Vines says further of this word that it “primarily signifies “to reckon,” whether by calculation or imputation.”[7]
An analogy can perhaps help explain the above: In a criminal trial, a character witness is someone who will testify on behalf of the person on trial about the person on trial – giving personal testimony about that person’s positive or negative traits, as they give their eyewitness report of the person’s character or identity. Imagine the courtroom at the end of time, when every person is judged by God. For believers, the witness that describes who we are – our identity and character – will describe the attributes and righteousness of Jesus, not the failures and sin that we committed on earth. The character witness is Jesus Himself. He will describe each believer, individually, as righteous, spotless, and holy. The words He will use will describe His character and righteousness! This is because His sacrifice and our acceptance of Him result in the transference, or imputation, of His character and legal status upon believers! He makes us right before the Father! The ultimate judge, the Father, will look at us and judge us as righteous because of Jesus! Grab hold of this and give God thanks for such amazing Grace!
Application/Questions/Journal your thoughts
- Imagine yourself in the courtroom setting at the end of days, standing before God. Now imagine hearing Jesus describe you as righteous, spotless, and holy. Journal any thoughts that argue against such a testimony. Compare them to 1 John 1:7-9 below.
- Read Titus 3:5-7 and Romans 2:6-8 below. Journal any questions that arise within you regarding the contrast between the “not because of works” in Titus and “pay back according to their deeds” in Romans. Ask the Holy Spirit for understanding and discuss with another believer.
- This week read Matthew 18:21-35, the parable of the Unforgiving Debtor. In light of your understanding of being justified by Jesus’ Blood – forgiven of your sins through His Grace – ask the Holy Spirit for illumination and understanding on how to respond to the offenses that others may cause you each day. Journal what He reveals to you, and in your daily journal, write the victories He gives you through each day. Share with another believer.
Scripture of the week
Colossians 1:22 (AMP (2015)) 22 yet Christ has now reconciled you [to God] in His physical body through death, in order to present you before the Father holy and blameless and beyond reproach— [8]
Titus 3:5–7 (AMP (2015)) 5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we have done, but because of His own compassion and mercy, by the cleansing of the new birth (spiritual transformation, regeneration) and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that we would be justified [made free of the guilt of sin] by His [compassionate, undeserved] grace, and that we would be [acknowledged as acceptable to Him and] made heirs of eternal life [actually experiencing it] according to our hope (His guarantee). [9]
Romans 2:6–8 (AMP (2015)) 6 He will pay back to each person according to his deeds [justly, as his deeds deserve]: [Ps 62:12; Prov 24:12] 7 to those who by persistence in doing good seek [unseen but certain heavenly] glory, honor, and immortality, [He will give the gift of] eternal life. 8 But for those who are selfishly ambitious and self-seeking and disobedient to the truth but responsive to wickedness, [there will be] wrath and indignation. [10]
1 John 1:7–9 (AMP (2015)) 7 but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. 8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.] 9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. [11]
Revelation 20:11–15 (AMP (2015)) 11 And I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them [for this heaven and earth are passing away]. [Is 51:6; Matt 24:35; 2 Pet 3:10-12] 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the Book of Life; and the dead were judged according to what they had done as written in the books [that is, everything done while on earth]. [Jer 17:10; Rom 2:6] 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and death and Hades (the realm of the dead) surrendered the dead who were in them; and they were judged and sentenced, every one according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades [the realm of the dead] were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire [the eternal separation from God]. [Matt 25:41; 1 Cor 15:26] 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire. [12]
Weekly prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for buying my pardon and justification by laying Your life down for me. Thank You for this justification – by which the Father chooses to not remember my sins and lawless deeds. (Hebrews 10:17). Thank You for Your Holy Spirit living in me, and that You have cleansed all sin from my account, putting Your righteousness in its place. I rededicate myself to pursuing after You, so that I may be more conformed to Your Will every day. I thank You for Your Help and Grace in doing so! Amen.
Freedom Facet
“Not guilty!” is the declaration the Father has over our sins, because of Jesus’ sacrifice and our faith in Him. Even when we mess up, we’re covered by the Blood of Jesus. The tension, of course, is that we aren’t perfect yet. When we sin, we recognize that it shouldn’t be, and conviction comes. The enemy, the devil, shows up after tempting us to sin with condemnation. We must recall the Word and what it declares over us – that we are declared righteous, that God’s kindness leads us to repentance, and that there is no condemnation for those who are in Jesus. We are told to confess our sins, and we are cleansed. This is freedom – our loving Savior doesn’t reject us; He beckons us to repent and extends His hand to guide us further on the path of sanctification.
Jesus's Freedom is for those who call Him Lord - those who believe in Him. If you’ve not yet accepted Christ Jesus as Your Lord, and would like to, say the following prayer aloud.
Lord Jesus, I confess and realize that I am a sinner, and without You, I am lost and separated from God. Thank You for going to the cross and dying for my sins – I ask for Your forgiveness for my sins, and I thank you and receive the forgiveness of my sins Your Word says is now mine! Holy Spirit, I thank You that You now reside within me. I lay down my will for Yours and ask for Your daily guidance and direction to make me more and more like You. Amen!
The Bible tells us that if we confess Jesus as Lord with our mouth and believe in our hearts that God resurrected Jesus from the dead, we are saved for eternity. If you’ve just accepted Jesus as Lord, know that heaven is celebrating right now (Luke 15:10)! Rejoice because you are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and now have begun the process of sanctification becoming like Him. Keep coming back, as we explore Freedom facets and what our Identity in Christ truly is. Share this joyous news with a brother or sister in Christ and get connected in your local church! LIFE is yours!
Small Group Invitations - Week of April 19, 2026
Below are invitations to just a couple of Men's Small Groups that are happening this week, both a part of Celebration Church, Georgetown, Texas. If these don't work for you, or if you're not a Celebration Church, TX attendee - regardless of the church you attend - being a part of small group is immensely important! If you're not involved in one, I pray that you find one that works for your schedule and you get plugged in. Being connected in the local church will bless you immeasurably!
Tuesday Morning Men's Fellowship Group: 6am - 7am at Rudy's BBQ in Round Rock, Texas. Join us for a time of fellowship where we'll discuss the message from the Pastors on Sunday, the newsletter contents, or whatever is going on in the lives of the brothers meeting.
Friday Morning Celebration Men: 6:30am - 8:am at the Celebration Church Annex, 1202 Rabbit Hill Road, Georgetown, TX. Join us at 6:30am for breakfast tacos and coffee, and to hear a word from one of the Pastors and then small group discussion from 7am to 8am. We conclude at 8am so people can get to work.
[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[2] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[3] Hoekema, Anthony A. 1994. Saved by Grace. Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
[4] Demarest, Bruce A. 1988. “Imputation.” In Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible, 1:1025. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
[5] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. 1995. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
[6] Newman, Barclay M., Jr. 1993. In A Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament., 108. Stuttgart, Germany: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft; United Bible Societies.
[7] Vine, W. E., Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr. 1996. In Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, 2:9. Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.
[8] Amplified Bible | 2015 (AMP). 2015. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[9] Amplified Bible | 2015 (AMP). 2015. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[10] Amplified Bible | 2015 (AMP). 2015. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[11] Amplified Bible | 2015 (AMP). 2015. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
[12] Amplified Bible | 2015 (AMP). 2015. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.