Justification by Grace
As we have previously treated this topic, we will only present a brief overview of this subject at this time. For those who wish to consider in greater detail, I refer you back to the previous essays on the subject of “Justified.”
As we stated previously “justification” is a courtroom term and means to make or declare righteous. The courtroom in which we are justified by grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus is the courtroom of heaven. In this courtroom, we are justified from the charge of sin before God.
First, we will establish that there is such a courtroom by establishing the presence of the elements of a courtroom. Any court of law is based on the giving of and presence of law. If there is no law, then there can be no courtroom! The following verses of scripture declare God to be the “law giver:” Isa. 33:22; James 4:12; Gen. 2:16, 17; Ex. 20:1‑17; Gal. 3:10; Heb. 8:10; Jer. 31:31; and Heb. 10:16.
Next, before a person can be tried for breaking the law there must be a penalty for breaking the law. The penalty for breaking God’s laws is set forth for us in the following verses: Gen. 2:17; Rom. 6:23; Rev. 20:11‑14; II Thes. 1:7‑9; II Pet. 2:4‑9; Jude 6‑13; and Matt. 25:46.
Next, the accused must be apprehended and brought to the bar of justice. God is the ultimate apprehender of all sins and all sinners. This principle is set forth in the following verses: Heb. 4:12, 13; Job 26:6; 42:2; Gen. 6:5; Ps. 94:11; 69:5; 14:2; 53:2; Prov. 15:26; 15:3;
Jer.16:17; Matt. 10:26; I Cor. 3:20; and I Pet. 3:12.
Furthermore, God sits as the one and only judge in the courtroom of heaven. That God is judge is set forth in the following verses: Gen. 15:14; 18:25; Judges 11:27; Ps. 9:4, 8; 10:18; 50:6; 58:11; 67:4; 72:4; 82:1, 8; 94:2; 96:13; Isa. 2:4; 3:13; 11:3, 4; 51:5; Job 21:22; Eccl. 3:17; John 5:30; II Tim. 4:1; I Pet 1:17; 4:5; and Rev. 20:9‑15.
In addition, God that renders judgment as set forth in Rom. 3:19, 20; Matt. 25:41‑46; and Rom. 5:12‑19.
Moreover, God that executes judgment according to Rev. 20; Matt: 25:46; II Thes. 1:7‑10; and II Pet. 2:4‑9.
If the only basis of God’s judgment were our deeds and actions, then the judgment rendered would be as follows:
1. Rom. 3:19, 20 ‑ “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”
2. Gal. 3:10 ‑ “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.@
3. Gal. 2:16 ‑ “…for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”
Thus, if the basis of judgment is our deeds and actions alone, then we come under the condemnation of the law.
Thankfully, there is the law of atonement whereby one who is qualified may stand in the place of another for the execution of judgment. It was Jesus, who stood in the place of the elect at the cross when God judged their sins. The following sample of verses of scripture set forth this principle:
1. II. Cor. 5:21 ‑ “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
2. Gal. 3:13 ‑ “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”
3. Heb. 9:26‑28 ‑ “…but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself…so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.”
4. Heb. 10:12‑14 ‑ “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God…For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Therefore, based on the law of atonement, those for whom Christ died have had God’s wrathful judgment executed upon Jesus as our sin‑bearer at the cross. The execution of wrath for sin is satisfied for them. They now stand justified before God. The question is asked and answered in Rom. 8:33, 34, “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
That this justification from sin in the courtroom of heaven is by God’s free grace is plainly set forth for us in Rom. 3:23, 24, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…”
In our next essay, we will go into the courtroom of our mind and heart and see how that we are justified by faith.