Who does God justify?
God justifies any sinner who is a child of Adam and simply believes in Jesus—specifically the resurrected Christ—not those relying on works or self-effort. He declares such a believer righteous, just as if they had never sinned, because he is just and the justifier of the one who believes.
Les explains that God remains totally just and fair in all His dealings. In order for propitiation, shed blood, and redemption to be consummated, God ends up being just and also just in justifying—declaring righteous, just as if they had never sinned—any sinner who is a child of Adam and will simply believe in Jesus. This believing is not in the Jesus of the Gospels but in the Jesus after His resurrection, the Christ of resurrection. Paul says God is the justifier of him who believes in Jesus. The text leaves out all the works, rituals, and conditions that people think must be added; it declares these things are imputed when we believe, and life changes follow.
More Questions
How can God be just when He justifies sinners?
The consummated work of propitiation, shed blood, and redemption leaves God just even as He justifies everyone who simply believes in Jesus.