Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

As indicated in the verse cited in the question, we are justified (reconciled to God, or declared righteous by Him) by faith -- not faith in ourselves, or faith in or based on anything that we have done or can do, but solely and completely in the redemption that Jesus gained for us through His sinless life, atoning death, and resurrection.

Jesus' death paid the full penalty (eternal separation from God) that God required of humanity for all of its sin from eternity past to eternity future, and His resurrection proved the sufficiency of that payment in God's sight, allowing those who place their faith in it (rather than in their own actions or abilities) to receive the same eternal life in God's presence that Jesus achieved.

January 16 2020 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

We’re all in the same sinking boat. Nobody escapes this: we’ve all sinned. Sin isn’t just what we occasionally mess up—it’s the default setting of the human heart. We’re not just people who sin; we’re sinners by nature (Rom 1-3; Eph 2:3). On our own, the verdict over us is clear: guilty.

God’s standard is flawless—and terrifying. His law isn’t the problem; it’s perfect. We are the problem. God demands 100% righteousness, 100% of the time. Break it once, and it’s broken (Rom 3:10; Gal 3:10). Trying harder won’t save us. Good behavior, church attendance, clean living—none of it clears the charges.

That’s why Jesus had to come. He lived the life we couldn’t, a perfect life! He took the hit for our sin—in our place (1 Cor 15:3). He rose again to prove the payment went through (Rom 4:25). No cross? No righteousness. No hope. Period.

Faith is the key that opens the door. Not effort. Not rituals. Not even love or obedience. Those are the results of salvation, not the cause. Justification means trusting Jesus with empty hands (Rom 3:22-28). You receive it—you don’t earn it.

So what is justification, really? It’s a full pardon: your sins—past, present, future—wiped clean. It’s a legal declaration: not guilty, but righteous—because Christ’s perfect record is credited to your account. This isn’t a spiritual energy boost. It’s a courtroom verdict. Don’t mix up the root (justification) with the fruit (sanctification).

Ryrie lists "Justified (Rom. 3:24) under THE BLESSINGS OF SALVATION in my (actually his) Ryrie Study Bible. It is included among 7 total Blessings of Acceptance. Romans 3:24 says, "But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.") --CEV

1 day ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report