Justification is God's judicial act of declaring the believing sinner to be just as if he had never sinned — granted freely by grace, not earned by works.
Les Feldick teaches that justification is a courtroom decree from God, the Judge, toward the person who believes the gospel. Scripture says we are justified freely by His grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24). This declaration rests on the righteousness God provides, not on anything the sinner has done.
Romans 3:23-24 — This is the key passage Les points to: all have sinned, yet God justifies believers freely by His grace through Christ's redemption.
Romans 5:18 — Paul directly connects the offense of one man with condemnation and the righteousness of one with the free gift of justification of life.
Romans 3 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." All humanity stands guilty before God, yet the free gift of justification comes through grace. Romans 5 goes on to show that just as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. The Bible also speaks of being covered with the robe of righteousness — the righteousness God Himself provides — rather than any righteousness of our own.
Les Feldick defines justification as "that judicial act of God whereby He declares the sinner who believes just as if he'd never sinned." He pictures God sitting as a Judge on the bench, handing down the decree that the believing sinner is declared just. Les emphasizes that this is entirely without a cause in the sinner; God does not justify because someone deserves it. It is God's own righteousness that covers the believer, not human goodness. Les also says justification is not a feeling or an experience to be felt — it is simply taking God at His Word. According to Les, once God justifies, He sees the believer as Adam was before the fall, and God remains just because the full price for sin was paid at the cross.
Les uses courtroom language to explain justification. Just as a judge on the bench hands down a decree, so God declares the believing sinner just as if he had never sinned. It is a sovereign, judicial act of the Almighty God, not something the sinner earns or produces. Even though believers still stumble into sin, God's decree of justification stands over them.
No. Les is clear that justification is without a cause — God does not justify because the sinner deserves it. In fact, he says no one can claim to be good enough, because all have sinned and come short. Justification comes through believing, taking God at His Word, and it is all the result of God's grace and Christ's work on the cross.
Les says that when God looks at the believer, He does not see our righteousness — He sees His own. This is the imputed righteousness God has provided, pictured as being covered with the robe of righteousness. We cannot look at each other and see our own righteousness, but God sees the righteousness He has placed upon everyone who believes.
Les teaches that since we believe the gospel, God can restore us back as Adam was before he fell. That is how complete the judicial decree is. Of course, believers still sin, and Christ provides advocacy at the Father's right hand, but the justified position is already settled.
Les explains that God is not winking at sin. He is just in being the justifier of those who believe because the full price of sin was paid by Christ on the cross. God has not cut any corners; He has paid the total price, making the justification of the believing sinner righteously possible.
Imputed Righteousness as a Robe
Les shows that God does not see our own righteousness, but the robe of righteousness He has provided — the imputed righteousness that covers the believer.
Justification as a Judicial Decree
Les defines justification as the judicial act of God declaring the believing sinner just as if he had never sinned, even though afterward he may still fall.
Justification Without a Cause
Les explains that justification is freely given by God; it is not a reward for good behavior because the sinner does not deserve it.
Taking God at His Word
Les says justification is not something to feel; the Bible never uses the word 'feel.' It is simply accepting what God has said.
Our Position in Adam
Les connects the sin problem to Adam, showing that all were in Adam, which is why God's judicial declaration of 'just as if he had never sinned' is so remarkable.
Restored as Adam Was Before the Fall
Les teaches that by the judicial decree of God, the believer is restored to the position Adam enjoyed before the fall, while still being covered by Christ's advocacy.
All Have Sinned, Justified Freely
Les walks through Romans 3:23-24, emphasizing that since all are sinners, none are good enough, and that justification is the judicial act of God described in verse 24.
God Is Just in Justifying
Les teaches that God remains just while justifying believers because the total price of sin was paid at the cross — He is not cutting any corners.
Romans 3:23-24: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
This is the passage Les uses to show that everyone is guilty, yet God justifies freely by grace.
Romans 3:22: Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Les refers to this truth when he says God places the righteousness of Christ upon all who believe, covering the believer.
Romans 5:18: Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Paul connects the offense of Adam with condemnation and the righteousness of Christ with the free gift of justification.
Isaiah 61:10: I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Les references this verse to illustrate that God's righteousness is like a robe covering the believer.
According to the Bible, justification is God declaring the believing sinner just, as if he had never sinned. Romans 3:23-24 says all have sinned and come short of God's glory, yet are justified freely by His grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus.
No. Les Feldick explains that God justifies us freely and without a cause. It is not because we deserve it; no one can say they are good enough. Justification is a free gift received by believing God's Word.
Les Feldick says believers are not supposed to feel justified, because the Bible never uses the word 'feel.' Justification is a judicial fact from God, and the believer simply rests on what God has said.
Watch the Teaching: God's Righteousness Explained — Romans 3 Verse by Verse