Question: What is justification?

    Answer: Romans 4: 1-7 is a great text relative to man’s justification. The text especially considers justification from the standpoint of "the flesh" (vs. 1). Abraham was not justified according to "the flesh" (simply his own works, vs. 2; see also Jas. 2: 19-26). If man earns justification, grace is not involved, according to verse four. Furthermore, justification did not (and does not) come through law, as such (vss. 5-11).

    The meaning of justification. Dikaiosis (Greek word for justification) "Denotes the act of pronouncing righteous...Signifying the establishment of a person as just by acquittal from guilt" (W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). Without justification, man is under the condemnation of sin and guilt (Rom. 3: 9, 23).

   How justification is achieved. It is God who justifies (Rom. 3: 30). we are justified by God’s grace, by our faith, and by Christ’s blood (Rom. 3: 24, 28; 5: 9). The Holy Spirit is also active in our justification (I Cor. 6: 11). While God’s grace is essential, man’s obedience or active faith is also a requisite. Hear James: "ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (Jas. 2: 24). Even Abraham was "justified by works" (Jas. 2: 21). However, such works were not "according to the flesh," but works which God required along with His provision of grace (cf. Mk. 16: 16; 10: 22).

    The results of justification. Peace results from man’s justification (Rom. 5: 1). As a result of acquittal, man is saved from wrath and made an heir (Rom 5: 9; Tit. 3: 7). In reality, man is "justified from all things" (Acts 13: 39).