Faith is the means by which God justifies the believing sinner—He declares that person just as if they had never sinned.
Les Feldick teaches that justification is a judicial act of God: the Judge declares the believing sinner just as if he had never sinned. This is done freely, by grace, and not on the basis of any works. Paul's conclusion in Romans is that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 5:1 — This verse directly links faith and justification: being justified by faith, we have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:28 — This states plainly that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Romans 3:24 — This shows that justification is a free gift of God's grace through redemption in Christ Jesus.
In Romans 3:24 Paul writes, "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Justification is presented as a free act of God's grace, resting on what Christ has done. Then in Romans 3:28 Paul draws the conclusion: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Faith—not works of the law—is what Paul connects to justification. Romans 5:1 makes the same connection: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Scripture consistently places faith as the instrument through which God's justifying work is received.
Les Feldick defines justification as a judicial act of God. In a courtroom picture, God sits as Judge and looks down at the believing sinner who has believed the gospel and declares him just as if he had never sinned. He repeatedly stresses that justification is freely given, without a cause or cost, by God's grace—not because the sinner deserves it. For Les, faith is simply trust and belief. Even when a person cannot fully comprehend how Christ died for him, God wants that person to simply say, "I believe it." Being justified by faith means being justified, not by works, but by trusting what God has said. Les also emphasizes that Paul hammers the word justification over and over so believers never forget that it is not by anything they do.
Justification is a judicial act of God. God is pictured as the Judge seated on the bench, and when He looks at the believing sinner He declares that sinner just as if he had never sinned. It is a free declaration, without a cause in the sinner, based on the grace and work of God. Les says this means God can see the believer as Adam was before the fall, even though the believer will still sin.
Paul concludes in Romans 3:28 that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Les emphasizes this is why Paul repeats justification so often: to drive home that no one is justified by what they do. He defines works in salvation as anything a person can do in the energy of the flesh.
Faith is described as trust. Les says believing is faith, and faith is trust. The believer may not be able to explain or comprehend the cross, but God wants him to simply say, "I believe it." Because the sinner believes the gospel, God declares him just as if he had never sinned.
Les says Paul hammers the word justification from Romans 3 through 5 because it is what believers are. He leaves it on the board for four programs so that no one who hears him teach these chapters will ever forget this word. A believer is justified by a judicial decree of Almighty God because he believes the gospel.
Justification as Romans' Central Theme
Les opens by reminding viewers that justification is the main subject of Romans, which frames the entire connection between faith and the believer's standing.
Justification Defined as a Judicial Act
Les defines justification as a judicial act of God: the Judge looks down on the believing sinner and declares him justified freely by grace.
God Declares the Believer Just as If Never Sinned
Les explains that because the sinner believes the gospel, God declares that sinner just as if he had never sinned—this is the meaning of justification.
Faith Is Simple Belief
Les says a person may not comprehend the cross, but God wants simple belief; being justified by faith is not being justified by anything done in the energy of the flesh.
Justification Restores to Adam's Pre-Fall Standing
Les says justification is a judicial decree that enables God to restore a believer as Adam was before the fall, while still providing for future sins through Christ's advocacy.
Faith Is Trust
Les equates believing with faith and faith with trust, and says God is able to justify us freely because of what Christ accomplished on the cross.
Justification Is Free, Without Merit
Les shows that God does not justify because the sinner deserves it; justification is a free, undeserved declaration given when the sinner believes.
Justified by Faith Without Law-Works
Les teaches that Paul concludes a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law, leaving no room for argument that works earn justification.
Romans 3:24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
This verse grounds justification in God's grace and in the redemption accomplished by Christ.
Romans 3:28: Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
This is the direct scriptural conclusion that justification comes through faith, not through the law.
Romans 5:1: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
This verse joins justification and faith together and shows the resulting peace with God.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
This shows the universal need for justification, which faith receives.
Les Feldick defines justification as the judicial act of God whereby God declares the believing sinner just as if he had never sinned. It is a free act of God's grace, not something earned or deserved.
No. Paul concludes that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Les explains that works in salvation means anything done in the energy of the flesh, and the repeated emphasis on justification is to show it is not by works.
Faith is trust and belief—simply taking God at His Word. When a person believes the gospel, God declares that person just as if they had never sinned. Faith is the means through which God's justifying decree is applied.
Watch the Teaching: What Does "Justified by Faith" Really Mean? Romans 5