Why can God justify us freely even though we have sinned?
God can justify sinners freely because of what He accomplished on the cross. Although all have sinned and fall short of God's glory, His righteousness is received by faith, not by human works or self-reformation. Scripture declares God justifies the ungodly, so justification rests on His finished work, not our merit.
Les teaches that Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, yet even though we have come short, He is able to justify us freely because of what He accomplished on the cross. Les also points to Romans 4:5a, where God justifies the ungodly, and explains that people wrongly think they must first clean up their act or quit bad habits to be saved. That puts the cart before the horse; we cannot clean up our own act. God must do it, and then we respond. The context stresses that righteousness is upon all them that believe—faith is trust—not upon all who repent and are baptized.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
More Questions
Will God let good people into heaven even though they have sinned?
People who think they are good enough will not slip into heaven, because Scripture says all have sinned.