What is justification according to Romans 3?
Justification is a judicial act of God in which He, as judge, declares the believing sinner righteous—just as if they had never sinned. It is freely by His grace, without cause or cost, received through faith in the gospel. It is a courtroom declaration, not human effort or merit.
Les teaches that justification is a judicial act of God, pictured as a courtroom scene in Romans. God sits as the judge and builds His case against humanity. Looking down at helpless sinners who believe the gospel, He declares them just as if they had never sinned. Even though they are guilty, guilty, guilty, God declares them righteous. This justification is freely by His grace—without a cause, without a cost, without a penny involved. Les explains that justification and forgiveness roll together: God can justify us because we are forgiven, and He can forgive us because we are justified. All of this is involved in salvation, which is prompted by the power of God, not anything man can do.