Justification is God's act of declaring a sinner righteous through faith in Christ. It is a legal declaration. It is a courtroom verdict. It is a divine pronouncement. It is not making the sinner righteous. It is declaring the sinner righteous. It is not infusion. It is imputation. It is not sanctification. It is justification. It is the foundation of the Christian life. It is the article on which the church stands or falls. It is the doctrine of the Reformation. It is the doctrine of the gospel. It is the doctrine of grace. It is the doctrine of faith. It is the doctrine of Christ. It is justification.

Justification is taught in the Bible. Romans 3:28 says: we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 4:5 says: to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. Romans 5:1 says: therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 2:16 says: a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 says: by grace you have been saved through faith. It is the gift of God, not a result of works. Titus 3:5 says: he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy. Philippians 3:9 says: not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ. The Bible is clear. Justification is by grace alone. Through faith alone. In Christ alone. To the glory of God alone.

Justification in theology

• Grace alone: it is a gift.
• Faith alone: it is received by trust.
• Christ alone: it is based on his work.
• Scripture alone: it is revealed in the word.
• Glory to God alone: it is for his praise.

Justification is the heart of the gospel. It is the answer to the question: how can I be right with God? The answer is: through faith in Jesus Christ. He took your sin. He gave you his righteousness. He paid your debt. He set you free. He declared you righteous. He adopted you as a child. He made you an heir. He gave you eternal life. He gave you peace. He gave you hope. He gave you joy. He gave you love. He gave you himself. That is justification. It is the gift. It is the verdict. It is the declaration. It is the pronouncement. It is the freedom. It is the peace. It is the joy. It is the hope. It is the love. It is the grace. It is the faith. It is the Christ. It is justification.