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What is justification?

Answered by Gene Cunningham, Basic Training Bible Ministries · from The Basics

Justification is the act of God declaring someone to be legally righteous. This declaration is not based on anything a person does, but is based on the righteousness of Jesus Christ, which is received by faith. Righteousness is a gift.

God made His Son to become sin for us so that He could make us the righteousness of God by faith in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Because we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1–2).

Justification is one of five actions undertaken by God in eternity past on behalf of those who would become His children in time (Rom. 8:29–30). It is a work produced by God, as indicated by the aorist, active, indicative verb used to describe it.

Also asked: What role does faith play in God's declaration that someone is legally righteous, and what is the source of this righteousness?
Also asked, more loosely
What is the act by which God declares someone to be legally righteous based on Jesus Christ's righteousness received by faith? · Can I earn peace with God through my own good deeds or must I accept God's free gift of righteousness?

Source: The Basics The Basics -- Subject Index entry 'Justification' (printed pp. 15, 17, 175, 180) · Read this lesson in the book →

What this answer is about

The subjects this answer names in its own words. Where the record names that subject itself, it is shown in bold.

JustificationPeaceRighteousnessRighteousness of God

Related questions

Scripture recorded with this answer

Passages recorded with this answer.

2 Cor. 5:21What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
cited by 14 other questions
Also printed on these pages
Rom. 5:1–2What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
cited by 1 other question
Rom. 8:29–30What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
cited by 3 other questions

Where this is taught in the book

Closest first: the pages where the book treats this subject most directly.

Lesson 4–1: Perspective—Grace

p.175p.176p.179

Lesson 1–3: The Provision—The Cross

p.30

Lesson 1–2: The Plan—Redemption

p.17

Lesson 2–5: The Supply Line—Prayer

p.105p.106

Lesson 2–3: The Commission—Evangelism

p.80p.84p.87

Lesson 3–3: The Promise—Spirituality

p.144

Lesson 1–4: The Power—The Holy Spirit

p.35

More pages teach this. The Source line above carries the full citation and opens the book.

Scripture is not BTBM’s to license: the references above link to Blue Letter Bible (NASB95), and the verse text shown on this page is served by BLB under their own license and terms.