Justification is more than being just before Christ

I have heard many times when asking for a definition on Justification this response "It means we are"Just" before Christ". This ends up being a rather shallow answer, without a true definition. My next question I ask is what does it mean to be "Just" before Christ? I normally then get this response "It means we are made right".

The Biblical Doctrine of Justification deserves a much more than one line cliches in response. After all, Jesus died on a cross for our sins and it is the whole reason we even have Justification. The least we can do is be able to give a clear biblical response to the question "What is Justification?"

Here are some great definitions and commentary on Justification. It would do us good as true Christians to get a grasp on this definition in Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology and John Calvin's Institutes and Commentary. Again, Christ died for us on a cross, lets at least take the time to learn the doctrine of Justification!



Justification is an instantaneous legal act of God in which he (1) thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us, and (2) declares us to be righteous in his sight.

Wayne Grudem Systematic Theology (pg. 723)


Scripture, when it treats of justification by faith, leads us in a very different direction. Turning away our view from our own works, it bids us look only to the mercy of God and the perfection of Christ. The order of justification which it sets before us is this: first, God of his mere gratuitous goodness is pleased to embrace the sinner, in whom he sees nothing that can move him to mercy but wretchedness, because he sees him altogether naked and destitute of good works. He, therefore, seeks the cause of kindness in himself, that thus he may affect the sinner by a sense of his goodness, and induce him, in distrust of his own works, to cast himself entirely upon his mercy for salvation. This is the meaning of faith by which the sinner comes into the possession of salvation, when, according to the doctrine of the Gospel, he perceives that he is reconciled by God; when, by the intercession of Christ, he obtains the pardon of his sins, and is justified; and, though renewed by the Spirit of God, considers that, instead of leaning on his own works, he must look solely to the righteousness which is treasured up for him in Christ.

John Calvin Institutes of the Christian Religion (3.11.16)



The phrase “in him” I have preferred to retain, rather than render it “by him” because it has in my opinion more expressiveness and force. For we are enriched in Christ, inasmuch as we are members of his body, and are engrafted into him: nay more, being made one with him, he makes us share with him in everything that he has received from the Father.

John Calvin Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:5



by God's Grace alone,

Bill