Justification is God's judicial act whereby He declares the believing sinner just as if he had never sinned, based solely on faith in the Gospel and the finished work of the cross.
This is a judicial declaration by God the Judge, not a process of becoming inherently righteous. It is entirely an act of God's grace, granted freely when a person believes the Gospel. The believer is then seen by God as righteous, as if their sins had never occurred, because of Christ's finished work.
Romans 3:24 — This verse directly defines justification as a free act of God's grace.
Romans 3:26 — This verse explains that God is both just and the justifier of those who believe, summarizing the basis of justification.
Romans 5:18 — This verse contrasts condemnation through Adam with justification through Christ's righteousness.
Romans 3:24 states, "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." This shows justification is a gift, not earned. Romans 3:26 says, "To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." Here, God is both just (because sin has been fully punished in Christ) and the justifier (because He can declare believers righteous). Romans 5:18 says, "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." This contrasts the condemnation brought by Adam's offense with the justification that comes through Christ's righteousness. The Bible presents justification as a legal declaration, not an inner change.
Les Feldick emphasizes that justification is a judicial act of God, the Judge, who declares the believing sinner "just as if he had never sinned." This act is based entirely on faith in the Gospel—what God has said about the finished work of the cross—not on any human effort, such as repentance, baptism, church membership, tithing, or good works. Les stresses that this declaration is "without a cause"—undeserved and freely given by God's grace. He uses the courtroom imagery of Romans, where God is the judge and the believing sinner is declared justified. Les also clarifies that even though believers still struggle with sin after justification, God sees them as if they had never sinned, because they are now in Christ and covered by His righteousness. This truth should have a profound impact on the believer's behavior and daily life.
Justification is received through faith alone. Les emphasizes that salvation is based totally on faith in the Gospel, in what God has said concerning the finished work of the cross. Faith is simply taking God at His Word, believing what He said. It is not a feeling—believers are not supposed to "feel" justified, but to rest on God's declaration.
God can justify sinners because the full price for sin has been paid by Christ on the cross. As Les puts it, God is just in justifying the ungodly because He has not winked at sin; He has paid the total price. Thus, He can be both just and the justifier of those who believe.
Les teaches that knowing one is justified should have a psychological impact, affecting behavior. When a believer is constantly aware that they are declared just by God, it influences how they live. This is not a matter of feeling but of resting on what God has said.
Faith Alone in the Gospel
Les points out that salvation is based solely on faith in the Gospel, not on any human requirements like repentance, baptism, or good works.
Judicial Declaration
Les defines justification as God's judicial act declaring the sinner just as if he had never sinned, even though the believer still sins.
Just as If Never Sinned
Les explains that justification is a free act, undeserved, and God sees the believer as innocent, even as Adam before the fall.
God Declares Guilty Sinner Just
Les pictures God as judge declaring the guilty sinner just because of belief, connecting justification to forgiveness and salvation.
Taking God at His Word
Les stresses that faith is simply taking God at His word, and justification is not about feelings but resting on God's declaration.
Justified Freely by Grace
Les highlights that justification is without cost, freely given by grace, and he uses the courtroom imagery of Romans.
Impact on Behavior
Les teaches that being aware of justification should psychologically impact behavior, leading to holy living.
God Is Just in Justifying
Les explains that God is just in justifying believers because the full penalty for sin has been paid by Christ.
Romans 3:24: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
This verse defines justification as a free gift of grace, not earned by works.
Romans 3:26: To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
This verse explains that God can justify sinners without compromising His justice because of Christ's work.
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.
This contrasts Adam's offense bringing condemnation with Christ's righteousness bringing justification.
Justification and forgiveness are closely related but distinct. Justification is God's judicial declaration that a sinner is righteous, while forgiveness is the removal of guilt. Les teaches that we are forgiven because we are justified, and justified because we are forgiven—they are intertwined in salvation.
Les does not teach that justification can be lost. Once God declares a believer just, that declaration is permanent and based on God's work, not human effort. The believer is seen as righteous in Christ.
No. God does not ignore sin; He paid the full penalty for it through Christ's death. Because the price has been paid, God is just in declaring believers righteous. He does not wink at sin.
Watch the Teaching: What Does "Saved by Faith" Really Mean? Romans 1:16-17