What does it mean to be justified?

To be justified means being made just as if we had never sinned. A person is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law. It is faith plus nothing, not works, for salvation. This settles the matter, leaving no room for argument.

Les explains that to be justified means being made just as if we had never sinned. It is by faith, without the deeds of the law. He stresses that salvation is faith plus nothing, and no works are needed. He shares an illustration of a lady in his class, a good artist, who painted a quizzical character with the caption "faith plus nothing, perfect." People often ask if they must do this or that, but Les says not for salvation. This conclusion is settled, with no more room for argument.

Romans 3:28

Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Are we justified by faith or by works of the law?

A man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law. Justification means being made just as if he had never sinned. Salvation is therefore faith plus nothing; it is not by works or deeds of the law, and there is no room for argument.