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 believers. 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)
Believers are justified by faith alone in Christ alone. 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, you are justified with God.
Believers are justified from all sin, by grace through faith 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).
Believers are justified by faith in Christ unto righteousness. The only way a sinner can become righteous before God is by faith alone. Righteousness is the gift of God to you 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). Self-righteousness can never be good enough to justify you. God justifies you by faith in the perfect obedience and righteousness of Christ alone. He is every believer's justification.
