Who does God justify according to Romans 4:5?
God justifies the ungodly—the person who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly. Scripture declares that faith is accounted as righteousness, not works, so the reward comes by grace, not debt. The one who trusts God rather than cleaning up his own life is justified.
Les explains that Romans 4:5 presents the flip side of works-righteousness: to the one who works, the reward is not reckoned of grace but of debt. But to the one who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, God justifies that ungodly person. Abraham believed, and God accounted it as righteousness—not Abraham's own righteousness, but the imputed righteousness of God. Les illustrates how people often say they must first get rid of an awful habit, the booze, or clean up their act before they can let God save them. He insists no man on earth can do that; it is impossible. So God saves us right where we are, and then He takes care of the things that have to be taken care of. The justified person is the ungodly believer, not the one who earns a reward.
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
More Questions
What kind of people does God justify?
God justifies the ungodly, and the person who does not work but believes has his faith counted as righteousness.
How is a person counted righteous without works in Romans 4:5?
A person who does not work but believes on God, who justifies the ungodly, has that believing counted as righteousness.
What happens to faith when a person believes in the God who justifies the ungodly?
When you believe on the one who can justify ungodly people, that kind of believing is counted (credited/imputed).