Yes, being justified by faith means God declares you righteous through your belief in Jesus Christ, not through any works.
Justification is a judicial act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous because of faith in Christ's finished work. It is freely given by His grace, as all have sinned and fall short of His glory, and it is through faith, not works of the flesh.
Romans 5:1 — This verse directly defines the result of being justified by faith, which is peace with God.
In Romans, the Apostle Paul teaches that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and that there is no difference between Jew and Greek, for all are unrighteous. Yet, God justifies the believer freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24). This justification is received by faith, as it is written, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
Les emphasizes that justification is a judicial decree by God, the judge, who declares the believing sinner righteous because they believe the gospel. He points out that Paul hammers this word "justification" repeatedly in the early chapters of Romans to drive home that we are not justified by works, but by faith alone. He explains that faith is simply taking God at His Word, and that justification is freely given by grace, without cost.
Les notes that Paul repeats the word justification over and over in Romans to emphasize that believers are justified by a judicial decree of God, and to drive home that we are not justified by what we do.
Les teaches that faith is simply taking God at His Word, and that when we believe what He says, that is what pleases God. Faith is trust, and it is the means by which we receive justification.
Les explains that being justified freely by God's grace is possible because of what Christ accomplished on the cross, and that justification is a judicial act of God, the judge, who looks upon the believing sinner and restores them as Adam was before the fall.
What Does It Mean to Present Your Body as a Living Sacrifice?
that's the way it is with these three chapters here in Romans. You come into the end of chapter 8, and then all of a sudden there's this parenthetical thinking of 9, 10, and 11 where the Apostle Paul, by inspiration of course, deals with the nation of Israel with regard to the Gentiles.
Faith Is Trust, Not Works
Les shows that righteousness of God is upon all who believe, not upon those who repent and are baptized, emphasizing that faith is trust.
Justified by Judicial Decree
Les teaches that justification is a judicial decree of God that restores believers to a relationship with Him as Adam had, while still acknowledging sin and God's advocacy.
The Courtroom Scene of Romans
Les explains that justification is a judicial act of God as judge, who freely justifies the believing sinner by grace, without cost.
Justification Through Grace
Les connects the righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ to justification, which is freely given by His grace.
Faith Means Taking God at His Word
Les defines faith as taking God at His Word and says that this is what pleases God, which is the sole basis for justification.
No Condemnation: What It Really Means to Be "In Christ"
As he built the case against the gross immoral person, and then the moral person, and then the religious person, and he put all three categories together, and says there's no difference. They are all unprofitable for all have sinned. And then you go on into chapter 4, and he begins to lay out justification by faith, for as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness, and …
Romans 5:1-2 Explained — Peace With God Through Faith Alone
He went to that cross and died for me? I mean, I can't comprehend it, except through the eyes of faith. There's no way I can explain it. There's no way you can explain it. But this is where God wants us, that we simply say, Lord, I can't understand it, I can't comprehend it, but I believe it. I believe it, there's not a shadow of doubt in my mind that this is all true.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
This verse states the universal need for justification.
Romans 3:24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
This verse declares that justification is free and by grace through redemption.
Romans 5:1: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
This verse directly answers the question, showing the outcome of justification by faith.
Romans 4:3: For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
This verse uses Abraham as the example of justification by faith.
Justification by faith is God's judicial act of declaring a person righteous because they believe in Jesus Christ. It is not based on works but on faith, and it results in peace with God.
Because all have sinned and fall short of God's glory, no one can earn righteousness through their own efforts. Works done in the energy of the flesh cannot justify; only faith in Christ's finished work does.
In Romans, justification is a courtroom scene where God, as judge, declares the believer righteous through faith in Jesus' blood. It is a gift of grace, freely given, not earned.
Watch the Teaching: What Does It Mean to Present Your Body as a Living Sacrifice?