This article is written to let you know the good news how a sinner can obtain justification from God free of charge, free of work, free of merit; it is the gift of God to whoever repents of his sins and believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
No man, no exception, can justify himself before God on account of his birth, his class, his color, his race, his background, his merit, his achievement, his nationality, his family, his position, his power, his possession, his title, his intellect, his ancestors, his genealogy, his efforts, his self-worth, etc. There is practically nothing that a man or woman may justify himself/herself before the righteous God.
This article is written to let you know how a sinner can be justified before God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ who died on the cross as a substitute to bear our sins, to obtain the forgiveness of sins and the right to become sons of God and inherit eternal life. This is to answer the old question of a philosopher, Job 25:4,
“How then can a man be just with God?
Or how can he be clean who is born of woman?”
Humanly speaking, we use “ justification ” for providing a just reason for our action. As an illustration, a corporate employee must “justify” his business expenses in order to get reimbursed. However, there is corporate policy and procedure that an employee must follow in order to justify his business expenses. Not every expense (even business) can be justified. For example, it is not reimbursable for an employee to eat a $100 breakfast. My friend and professor Dr. Harold Koontz once told me about a tycoon that all his personal and private expenses were paid by the company. As the CEO or Chairman of a big firm, a person can have many means to abuse his power. As a standard policy, no personal expenses can be reimbursed. I have audited companies that employees used receipts of purchases from department store and supermarket to submit as their business expenses. One employee even took his wife dresses on a business trip for dry laundry and requested reimbursement. Government uses law or regulation to legitimize and justify its act. The United States used the so-called the US-Taiwan Relations Act to undermine and violate China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The US-Taiwan Relations Act is itself illegal because it is unconstitutional. It is unconstitutional because the U.S. Constitution does not have jurisdiction over the sovereignty of another nation. It is illegal because it violates the international law. America and Europe no matter what propaganda they extol such as democracy, human rights, freedom, and justice cannot justify their attacks and occupations, sanctions and rob other nations and peoples.
No nation has power to dictate another nation to submit to its aggression and oppression. No law can be used to justify an illegal or unlawful act. No lawmakers can make something illegal legal, unjust just. God has the final say what is right or wrong, good or evil. Terrorists cannot justify themselves in killing people for the cause or defense of their religion.
To understand the concept of justification, you need first to know God. To know God is based in the Word of God (sola scriptura – Scripture alone); it is based not in human speculation or philosophical principles, but in revelation. Christianity is the revealed religion of Jesus Christ; all other religions are man-made religions. Revelation is the only proper place for faith to begin. Reason can be an aid to faith in that it helps to clarify and organize, but it is always secondary because human reason needs to be enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Reason must always take a back-seat as faith gets hold of the Word of God. Thus revelation of God is seen in the suffering of Christ for sinners (on behalf of humanity) as it is written in the Holy Bible. By faith we understand that God reveals Himself in Jesus Christ who died for sinners (for humanity’s sin) on the cross. Among the attributes of God is righteousness. God is righteous and He cannot do wrong. Righteousness is in the Lord. Only the righteous God has authority and power to justify sinners. The terms related to justification are justifier and justify, redemption and forgiveness. Christianity unfolds its doctrine and explains how man can be justified before God. The way of salvation is the way of God. Man cannot by any other way to save himself or to be saved. Self-righteous people are stubborn-minded people who are self-conceited. The Word of God makes it clear no one can save himself, and no one can be justified before God by his own merit or good deed. The way of salvation entails redemption, justification, regeneration, sanctification and glorification. The salvation of God is eternal. The redemptive work of Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross is once and for all. God vindicates whom He justifies. God justifies believers by counting them as righteous. The righteousness of God is revealed in Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ only. There is no righteousness except the righteousness of God.
I. The Aspects of Salvation.
Exd 14:13 , “But Moses said to the people: Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.”
Note: The Hebrew word for salvation is yĕshuw`ah which means deliverance, aid vouchsafed by God, victory; – it occurs 78 times in the Old Testament.
Luk 1:77-79 , “To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, with which the Sunrise from on high will visit us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Note: The Greek word for salvation is sōtēria which means deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation as the present possession of all true Christians; future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal Kingdom of God; – it occurs 45 times in the New Testament. Salvation comes from the tender mercy of our God who grants forgiveness of sins to all believers.
Basically there are five aspect of the salvation of God, namely redemption, justification, regeneration, sanctification and glorification.
(A). Redemption.
Gal 3:13, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written: Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree).”
Note: Those who disobey or violate the law of God are under the curse of the law. The Greek word for redeem is exagorazō which means to ransom, buy off, buy up, of Christ freeing the elect from the dominion of the Mosaic Law at the price of His vicarious death; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament. To be cursed is to be under a curse, which is liable to the appointed penalty of being cursed. Those who sin are under the curse of the law. A believer is saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ who died for sinners. By the substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross (redemption) a believer is redeemed and saved from condemnation.
Sinners are lost in sins and condemned to eternal punishment, for that reason we need a Redeemer. What did the Redeemer do? Jesus Christ the Redeemer paid for our sins and died on the cross for us, the Righteous for the unrighteous.
(B). Justification.
Rom 3:24-26 , “Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
Note: The Greek word for justify is dikaioō which means to render righteous, count as righteous, declare or pronounce one to be just or righteous; – it occurs 40 times in the New Testament. By rising from the dead Jesus had fulfilled the righteousness of God and through the righteousness of Christ a believer is justified or counted righteous before God as if he had never sinned. The deeds of man no matter how good cannot be counted as righteousness before God.
(C). Regeneration.
Tts 3:5 , “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
Note: Salvation is based on God’s mercy. Mercy in Greek is eleos which means the compassion and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salvation by Christ, that of God’s lovingkindness towards sinners; – it occurs 28 times in the New Testament. Regeneration means born again. The Greek word for regeneration is paliggenesiawhich means new birth, reproduction, renewal, re-creation; a radical change of mind for the better, the production of a new life consecrated to God; – it occurs only twice in the New Testament. By accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit enters into the believer’s heart and gives him a new life (regeneration) as if he were born again.
(D). Sanctification.
Hbr 10:10 , “By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Hbr 10:14 , “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”
Note: The Greek word for sanctify is hagiazōwhich means to render holy, purify by expiation, be made holy, separate from profane things and dedicate to God; – it occurs 29 times in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit sanctifies the believer by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and the Word of God once and for all (positional sanctification) and the believer becomes a child of God. By continuously living and leading in the heart of the believer, the Holy Spirit sanctifies the believer’s condition (conditional sanctification). The position of a born again believer is perfect before God, but his condition on earth is not. As long as a believe is on earth, his condition is not perfect and needs continuous sanctification by the Holy Spirit.
(E). Glorification.
Rom 8:30 , “Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
Note: The Greek word for predestine isproorizōwhich means to predetermine, decide beforehand, foreordain, appoint beforehand; God decrees from eternity; – it occurs 6 times in the New Testament.
There was a false teacher called John Calvin. He taught that God divides mankind into two groups: the Elect, who will be saved and go to Heaven; and the Reprobates, or damned, who will spend eternity in Hell. This doctrine is called predestination. Don’t worry, in matter of salvation what God says matters. What false teachers, false prophets and unbelieving theologians say do not matter. This is the Word of God, Jhn 3:16,“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
To be called is to be invited to receive the blessings of the heavenly Kingdom. When Jesus Christ returns to judge the world and reign with the saints, the bodies of the saints will be redeemed and transformed into spiritual, glorious and immortal bodies fit to live in Heaven forever and ever. The Greek word for glorify is doxazō which means to praise, extol, magnify, celebrate; honor, do honor to, hold in honor; make glorious, impart glory to; – it occurs 62 times in the New Testament. Those who glorify God on earth will be glorified by God in Heaven.
Rom 4:25 , “He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification.”
Note: The Greek word for justification is dikaiōsis which means the act of God declaring men free from guilt and acceptable to Him, abjuring to be righteous; it occurs only twice in the New Testament.
II. God Reckoned Abraham as Righteousness.
Gen 15:6 , “Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.”
Note: The Hebrew word for reckon is chashab which means to think, plan, esteem, consider, make a judgment, count, value, regard, take to be; – it occurs 124 times in the Old Testament. Abraham believed in God and God counted him as righteousness. To be justified is to be counted by God as righteousness. So a man is justified by faith in God. That was the old dispensation. Under the new dispensation, you believe in God and you must also believe in Christ in order to be justified. To be justified is to be counted as righteousness by God in Christ. All who believe in God as Abraham believed will also be justified.
Psa 32:2 , “How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!”
Note: The Hebrew word for impute is the same used in Gen 15:6 as reckon.
Justification has active and passive meanings: Actively God counts a person (believer) as righteousness. Passively God does not impute iniquity to a man (believer). There is no way a man can justify himself actively or passively.
Isa 45:25 , “In the Lord all the offspring of Israel will be justified and will glory.”
Note: The Hebrew word for justify is tsadaq which means to be just, be righteous, to be put right, make to appear righteous, declare righteous, render innocent; – it occurs 41 times in the Old Testament. The Book of Isaiah is the Gospel of the Old Testament.
Isa 53:11 , “As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities.”
Note: The prophecy of Isaiah cited above was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
The Son of God, the Righteous One, who died on the cross to bear the iniquities of sinners. Christ will justify as many as those who come to Him by faith.
Isa 61:10, “I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”
Note: A sinner is naked and shameful before God. To be justified in figuratively speaking is to be wrapped with a robe of righteousness.
Jesus Christ is our Righteousness. The righteous will live by faith.
Zec 3:4 , “He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying: Remove the filthy garments from him. Again he said to him: See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.”
Note: Our sins are like filthy garments. The Lord takes our iniquity away is like to remove filthy garments from us and clothe us with the robe of righteousness – that is to be justified before God.
Rom 4:3 , “What does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Jam 2:23，“And the Scripture was fulfilled which says: Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. And he was called the friend of God.”
Note: To believe in Greek is pisteuō which means to think to be true, to be persuaded of, place confidence in, trust in one’s word; – it occurs 248 times in the New Testament. To believe God is to trust His Word. We can learn a lot from the father of all who believed in God.
III. The Meanings of Justification.
Justification actively denotes “the act of pronouncing righteous, justification, acquittal;” its precise meaning is determined by that of the verb dikaioo, “to justify” which means “to count as righteous”, it is used 8 times in Galatians. In Rom 4:25 the phrase “for our justification,” or “because of our justification” means all that was necessary on God’s part for our “justification” had been effected and completed in the death of Christ. On this account or for this reason He was raised from the dead. The propitiation being perfect and complete, His resurrection was the confirmation. In Rom 5:18 ,“justification of life” means “justification which results in life.” That God “justifies” the believing sinner on the ground of Christ’s substitutionary death, involves His free gift of life.
Martin Luther (10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, professor of theology who was the leader of the Protestant Reformation. Luther strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God’s punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He condemned sale of indulgence by the Roman Catholic Church with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517. Luther refused to retract all of his writings by his famous statement, “ Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me. ” Luther discovered that the Bible teaches salvation is not earned by good deeds but received only as a free gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ as our Redeemer from sin. Luther did not start a new church; he brought the Church back to the Bible. So Protestantism is not a new religion, it was as old as the teachings of Christ and the Apostles, long before the existence of the Roman Catholic Church. In my opinion, Martin Luther (do not confuse with a black man who adopted his name) was the greatest man ever lived outside of the Bible. No one should compare himself with the great persons in the Bible. It is stupid and wrong for a preacher to claim that he has preached to more people than Apostle Paul.
Justification passively means not coming into judgment.
Jhn 5:24 , “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”
Note: The Greek word for judgment is krisis which means sentence of condemnation, condemnation and punishment; – it occurs 48 times in the New Testament. Jesus defines justification as not coming into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Those who believe in Christ will not come into judgment but receive eternal life. To be justified is not coming into judgment. Those who have been justified will not be condemned or come into judgment. To be justified is a part of the process to be saved. To be saved is to have eternal life and have passed out of death into life.
IV. How Does Justification Work.
Question: How justification is done?
Rom 5:16 , “The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.”
Salvation is the free gift of God, no one deserves it, but everyone who repents of his sins and believes in Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior can be saved. You are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Rom 5:18, “So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.”
Note: Justification is a gift of God which results in forgiveness of sins, free from condemnation by the righteous act of Jesus Christ. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ establishes a believer as just by acquittal from guilt.
(A). God is the Justifier.
Rom 3:26 , “For the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the Justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
Gal 3:8 , “And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying: In you all the nations shall be blessed.”
Note: It is not man, it is not Mary, it is not apostle, it is not the church, and it is not human institution; it is God who is the Justifier. A man is not justified in the sight of man, not even in the sight of the church, but in the sight of God. God promises to justify anyone who has faith in Jesus Christ. God has power to do what He has promised. God is faithful and keeps His promise.
(B). Apart from the Law.
Rom 3:21 , “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.”
Rom 3:28 , “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.”
Note: The Greek word apart is chōris which means separate, without, besides, aside, outside, other than; – it occurs 39 times in the New Testament. The righteousness of God has been manifested apart from (outside) the Law. The righteousness of God has been witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. A man is not justified by hearing of the law, but by doing of the law. Since no one is able to keep all the laws to fulfill the righteousness of God, so justification is offered by God apart from the law.
God interacts with mankind in two fundamental ways – the law and grace. The law comes to humanity as the commands of God – such as the Ten Commandments as represented by Moses. The law put community to order so that it can exist and survive but convicts us of our sinfulness. All human being has some grasp of the law through the conscience. The law convicts us our sin and drives us to grace proclaimed in the Gospel, but the law is not God’s avenue for salvation. Grace comes through Jesus Christ. Grace is God’s favor to undeserved mankind.
Rom 3:23-26 , “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
Note: Grace is free gift of God through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Grace demonstrates God’s righteousness so that He justifies anyone who has faith in Jesus.
(C). Apart from works.
Rom 4:5-6, “However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.”
Note: The Greek word for work is ergonwhich means an act, deed, thing done, doing, labor, action; – it occurs 176 times in the New Testament. There are two ways a man may obtain the righteousness of God: one is by observing the law, the other is through the righteousness that comes by faith in Christ. Since man fails to keep the law, the law brings wrath. The righteousness of God cannot be obtained by the works or deeds of man. No good deeds of man can earn justification from God.
(D). Freed from all things.
Act 13:39 , “And through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.”
Note: The Greek word for free is dikaioōwhich means to declare or pronounce one to be just, righteous; – it occurs 40 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ set believers free from all things which could not be justified through the Law of Moses.
(E). Revealed from faith to faith.
Rom 1:16-17 , “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, BUT THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”
Note: Revealed from faith to faith means the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, from start to finish, apart from the law and apart from the works of man.
Rom 10:10, “For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved.”
Note: On God’s side redemption is a gift by grace and redemption through Jesus Christ. On human side, justification is accomplished by believing and confession. Believe in Greek is pisteuō which means to think to be true, place confidence in, trust in Jesus; – it occurs about 248 times in the New Testament. Confess in Greek is homologeō which means to agree with, say the same thing, admit or declare, profess; – it occurs about 24 times in the New Testament. A Christian believes with his heart and confesses with his lips that Jesus Christ is his Lord and Savior.
Gal 2:16 , “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.”
Note: No one can be justified by the works of the Law or his own merit. All man-made religions teach you must do good to earn your merit. The revealed religion teaches man is justified by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. No man is good enough to deserve salvation or heaven. If sinful man could be justified by any other means, it would have no need of the Word of His grace, nor consequently of faith.
(F). Through the redemption of Christ.
Rom 3:24 , “Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.”
Note: Justification is a gift by God’s grace through the redemption of Jesus Christ. Gift in Greek is dōrea which means a present, something free; – it occurs about 11 times in the New Testament. Grace in Greek is charis which means unmerited favor, loving-kindness, mercy which God bestows upon one who does not deserve; – it occurs about 156 times in the New Testament. Redemption in Greek is apolytrōsis which means a releasing effected by payment of ransom, liberation procured by the payment of a ransom, deliverance; – it occurs only 10 times in the New Testament. Redemption is deliverance effected through the death of Christ on the cross for sinners from the retributive wrath of the Holy God and the penalty of sin. The redemption is only in Christ because Jesus died on the cross for sinners. Justification is a gift by God’s grace through the work of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. Redemption means to offset or compensate for our sins, Jesus Christ died on the cross for us; the Righteous for the unrighteous, the Sinless for the sinful, in order to pay the ransom so that we may obtain the forgiveness of sins; and to receive the righteousness of God as a gift to be justified before God. To be justified before God means God counts believers as if they had never sinned and by grace receive the righteousness of God in Christ.
Rom 4:24-25, “But also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness–for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”
Rom 5:19 , “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.”
Note: Christ’s obedience was to die for sinners on the cross. The redemption of Christ was accomplished by the Righteous dying for the unrighteous.
(G). A propitiation in His blood through faith.
Rom 3:25 , “Whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed.”
Note: The Greek word for propitiation is hilastērionwhich means a means of appeasing or expiating, relating to an appeasing or expiating, having placating or expiating force to receive pardon; – it occurs only twice in the New Testament. The result of propitiation is forgiveness of sins.
(H). Justified by His blood.
Rom 5:9 , “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.”
Rom 5:18 , “Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.”
Note: Sin brings condemnation. The blood of Christ wins justification by washing away the sins. By the precious blood of Jesus we obtain forgiveness of sins. This means by the sacrifice of Jesus Himself on the cross for our sins we obtain mercy and forgiveness for our sins. Those who are forgiven will not face the wrath of God.
Question: Why justified by His blood?
Mat 26:28 , “For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.”
Note: Jesus Christ has a covenant with His believers, for His blood was poured out for forgiveness of their sins. Covenant in Greek is diathēkē which means a compact, a testament; – it occurs 33 times in the New Testament. The word covenant is used to mean the close relationship Christ entered with His believers. By shedding of Christ’s blood the new covenant was established. Christian salvation is the fulfillment of the divine promise annexed to the covenant. Christians rely on God’s faithfulness and with the assurance of God’s covenant.
Hbr 9:22, “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
Note: Purify in Greek is katharizō which means to make clean, cleanse, free from defilement of sin and from faults, free from guilt of sin; – it occurs about 30 times in the New Testament. The sins of believers are forgiven because Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross for us. Sinners who repent are cleansed by the blood of Christ.
Eph 1:7 , “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”
Note: We have redemption and the forgiveness of our trespasses through the blood of Christ. Christ paid a price of His life in order to redeem us from our sins. A false teacher taught that sin can be burned away by fire. No, our sins can only be redeemed through the blood of Jesus, the Righteous for the unrighteous.
Eph 2:13 , “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ.”
Note: Sinners are separated from God and do not dare to approach God. The blood of Christ has brought believers near to God.
Col 1:20 , “And through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.”
Note: By the blood of His cross, believers are reconciled with God and made peace with God.
Hbr 9:14 , “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”
Note: The blood of Christ through the eternal Spirit purifies our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Hbr 10:19 , “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus.”
Note: By the blood of Jesus we have confidence to come to the throne of God for mercy.
Hbr 13:12 , “So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through His own blood.”
Note: The blood of Christ sanctifies Christians.
1Jo 1:7 , “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Note: The blood of Jesus secured our salvation on the cross once and for all. While still living on earth believers need the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from all sin as often as needed.
Rev 12:11 , “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”
Note: Finally, believers will conquer Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the Word of God.
(I). Bought with a price.
1Cr 6:20 , “You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Note: The Greek word for buy is agorazōwhich means to purchase, redeem; – it occurs 31 times in the New Testament. Price in Greek is timē which means a valuing by which the price is fixed, a sum paid; – it occurs 43 times in the New Testament. In ancient time a slave was bought with a price, so we are bought as slaves of God.
Gal 3:13 , “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written: Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.”
Note: The death of Christ was a ransom for our sins. For a believer to receive the righteousness of God, Jesus Christ paid a price, the price of His blood and death on the cross.
(J). To be sin on our behalf.
2Cr 5:21, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Note: On our behalf means for our sake. For our sake Jesus Christ bore our sins on the cross. Because the Righteous died for the unrighteous, so all believers might become the righteousness of God in Christ.
Isa 64:6 , “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
Note: All human righteousness is like filthy rags.
(K). Justified by His grace.
Tts 3:7 , “That having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Eph 2:5 , “Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”
Eph 2:8 , “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
Note: The Greek word for grace is chariswhich means favor, good will, loving-kindness, the merciful kindness of God; – it occurs 156 times in the New Testament. Grace is God’s favor which man does not deserve. Those who are justified by His grace are also saved by grace. To be saved by grace means it does not depend on your good deeds or merit. It is grace because it is the gift of God. It is the gift of God because it is free. You cannot earn or buy salvation of God. Those who are justified become heirs of God to have eternal life.
(L). Through faith in Jesus Christ.
Rom 3:22 , “Even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction.”
Rom 3:30 , “Since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.”
Rom 9:30 , “What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith.”
Gal 2:16 , “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”
Gal 3:11 , “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”
Note: Faith in Greek is pistiswhich means a conviction or belief respecting God’s salvation and divine things, belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ; – it occurs 244 times in the New Testament. Faith is simply taking God at His word; believing in whatever God says. Faith is a strong belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the Kingdom of God. To be justified by faith in Christ means to obtain the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. To live by faith means to walk in the footsteps of the faith, through faith in Jesus Christ.
(M). The free gift of God.
Rom 5:16-17, “And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”
All religions teach you have to work to earn your salvation, what they call merit. Some even worse that demands you have to buy it with money or offering gifts and presents. Christianity teaches salvation is the free gift of God.
Rom 6:23 , “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Note: The Greek word for gift is charisma which means a favor with which one receives without any merit of his own, the gift of divine grace by which the pardon of sin and eternal salvation is awarded to sinners in consideration of the merits of Christ laid hold of by faith; – it occurs 17 times in the New Testament.
(N). Justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Cr 6:11, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”
Note: To have the righteousness of Christ is not to have your own righteousness. Sinners do not have righteousness. Sinners deceive themselves thinking they have righteousness. In the name of the Lord means in the authority and power of the Lord. There is no other name under Heaven whereby we can be saved.
Those who have been washed by the blood of Christ are justified in the name of Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
(0). Christ the Mediator.
1Ti 2:5-6 , “For there is one God, and one Mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.”
Note: Mediator in Greek is mesitēswhich means one who intervenes between two, a medium of communication, arbitrator; – it occurs only 6 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the Mediator between God and men, not Mary, not pope, not apostles, not saints, not angels, not anyone. Mary, pope, apostle, saint, angel, church, etc. cannot intervene for you; it is wrong to pray to them for help.
V. The Results of Justification.
(A). Transgressions are forgiven.
Rom 4:7-8 , “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”
Note: The Greek word for transgression is anomiawhich means the condition of without law, contempt and violation of law, iniquity, wickedness, unrighteousness, evil deed; – it occurs 15 times in the New Testament. Only God can forgive our transgressions. When sins are covered so as they are not come to view, that means they are pardoned. No one can cover up his sins. Only God is able to cover sins.
(B). Set free from sin.
Rom 6:22 , “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.”
Note: Sinners are slaves of sin. Jesus Christ sets believers free from slaves of sin to become slaves of God.
(C). No condemnation.
Rom 8:1 , “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
2Cr 5:19, “Namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. “
Note: The whole world is condemned including president, prime minister, politician, pimp and prostitute. Saved believers are not condemned. No condemnation means not counting their trespasses against them. If God counts you righteous, then there is no condemnation. God counts you righteous when you repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
(D). Have peace with God.
Rom 5:1 , “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Note: Sinners are enemies of God. Sinners do not have peace with God. When a sinner is justified by faith in Christ, he has peace with God. Those who have been justified by faith also have peace with God. Christians who have peace with God also have peace with men. A warmonger is not a Christian, an aggressor is not a child of God.
(E). Received the reconciliation.
Rom 5:11 , “And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”
Note: The Greek word for reconciliation is katallagē which means restoration to favor, atonement, restoration of the favor of God to sinners that repent and put their trust in the expiatory death of Christ; – it occurs 4 times in the New Testament.
(F). Become Children of God.
Rom 8:16 , “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
Note: To become children of God is the highest honor, for children of God are higher than angels.
Hbr 11:4 , “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.”
Gal 3:26 , “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Note: In heaven there will be no gender, that is why believers are all sons of God.
(G). Heir of righteousness.
Hbr 11:7 , “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
Note: The Greek word for heir is klēronomos which means one who receives his allotted possession by right of sonship, one who has acquired or obtained the portion allotted to him; – it occurs 15 times in the New Testament.
(H). Heirs of God.
Rom 8:17 , “And if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”
Note: Humanly speaking if you are an heir of somebody, that person has to die before you can inherit what is given to you. As heirs of God we inherit what God has prepared for His children and be with our heavenly Father forever and ever. God never dies for He is eternal.
(I). Will not be put to shame.
Rom 9:33 , “As it is written: Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
Note: The Greek word to be put to shame is kataischynōwhich means to dishonor, disgrace; to be ashamed, blush with shame; – it occurs 13 times in the New Testament. Ultimately Christians will not be put to shame because they will not be disappointed, but to receive glory and honor to reign with Jesus Christ. When Jesus Christ returns to reign with the saints, they will glorify with Christ.
(J). Will be saved.
Rom 10:9 , “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Gal 2:20 , “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Note: The wonder of God’s salvation is that Jesus Christ died for me, not just for others. A person is judged righteous before God because of the redemptive works of Christ. Salvation comes to humanity through the Gospel. Salvation comes to humanity through the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ. The Good News is that righteousness is not a demand upon the sinner but a gift to the sinner. The sinner simply accepts the gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is not achieved but rather received. No one is good enough to deserve Heaven.
(K). Christ lives within.
Gal 2:20 , “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Note: Through the Holy Spirit, Christ lives within believers until the end of the world. If you do not have the Spirit of Christ, you do not belong to Christ. The Spirit of Christ in you is the seal or proof of your salvation.
(L). Live by faith.
Gal 3:11, “Now it is evident that no man is justified before God by the law; for the just shall live by faith.”
Note: Justification is bestowed by God rather than achieved. Justification is not based on human righteousness, but on God’s righteousness—revealed and confirmed in Christ who is the righteousness of God. Christians live by faith in Christ.
(M). United with the Lord.
1Cr 6:17 , “But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.”
Note: The Greek word for unite is kollaō which means to join one’s self to, cleave to, glue together; – it occurs 11 times in the New Testament. The Spirit of Christ is in believers.
(N). All one in Christ.
Gal 3:28 , “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Note: There is no race discrimination. There is no gender discrimination. There is no class discrimination. All believers are one in Christ Jesus irrespective of race, color, nationality, background, and economic social status. Neither male nor female, the saved are children of God.
(O). Will be delivered from the bondage of corruption.
Rom 8:21 , “Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
Rom 8:23 , “Not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”
Note: The Greek word for deliver is eleutheroō which means to set free, make free, set at liberty; – it occurs 7 times in the New Testament.
Sin is the bondage of corruption. Absent the perspective of God and the righteousness of Christ, based on one’s own merit—a Christian still looks like a sinner as long as he has an earthly body. So the last step of salvation is the redemption of the body. The corruptible will be swallowed up by the incorruptible – the Christian will receive a spiritual and glorious body fit for heaven and eternity.
Such is the marvelous Gospel of Jesus Christ. Though you are a sinner (we are all sinners), you can be justified by grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Savior. All you need to do is believe with all your heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and confess with your mouth that He is your Lord and Savior. Now is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time. Would you come to Christ now no matter who you are and where you are?
Just make the following prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I trust in You who have accomplished the salvation on the cross for me. Please save me from sin, death, and judgment. Now I ask your Holy Spirit to come into my heart and give me a new life. Amen.”
WILLIE WONG THOUGHT
WILLIE WONG
AUGUST 7, 2025
https://williewong.cw.center/wp-admin
Copyright © 2018 – 2025 by Willie Wong