Justification is a legal term. In court, one accused of a crime is either condemned or justified. Based upon the merits of Christ, God justifies sinners. The sinless life and substitutionary death of Jesus at the cross for believers is the basis for our justification from all sin (2 Corinthians 5:21)
God justifies sinners by faith in Christ. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Faith is trust and confidence, relying upon Christ alone. By faith in Christ, we are justified with God.
God justifies sinners by grace in Christ. Faith receives the grace of God in Christ. Faith is the evidence that we are justified before God. It is our assurance of faith. Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed (Romans 4:16).
God justifies sinners through Christ unto righteousness. The only way we can become righteous before God is by faith alone. Righteousness is the gift of God to us in Christ alone. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness (Romans 4:5). Our self-righteousness can never be good enough to justify us. God justifies us by faith in the perfect obedience and righteousness of Christ alone. He is every believer's justification.
