The classic protestant doctrine, rediscovered by the Reformers in the 1500’s is under serious attack today. This should not surprise us, as this truth of justification by faith alone, is the heart of the gospel. It is being replaced in some circles by a nuanced approach that is more akin to Roman Catholic teaching than the foundational truth of a free salvation manifested in the NT. Paul is no longer the champion of grace. His theology of Romans and Galatians is seen more along the lines of a synergistic deal struck by two parties with their respective roles in the salvation plan rather than the clear gospel of grace that is unconditional and provides all that is required for salvation. People have confused faith and obedience in the gospel and hence believe that faithfulness is a condition of justification. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, not even faith alone is a condition. A condition ipso facto means that it is a ground for the accomplishment. That is clearly not the case in Justification. Faith is the occasion of justification. It is the instrumental means, and the sole means at that, but only Christ Himself is the ground or basis for justification.

What is it? Justification is a legal declaration that one is right with God. It comes from the realm of the law courts. It has naught to do with one’s actual experience. Justification is the actual declaration that one is in possession of forgiveness of sin/sins (the negative aspect) and the righteousness of Christ credited to one’s spiritual account (the positive aspect). Not only does it render us “as if we have never sinned,” but it also provides all the positive righteousness of one who has kept the law in its entirety. We have been justified by faith (Greek, ek pisteos) and therefore have peace with God (see Romans 5:1). The positive righteousness comes from Christ, who is the vicarious savior for His elect. Who can bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies! Who can condemn? It is Christ who died (see Romans 8:31-39). John Bunyan is said to have claimed: “My Righteousness is at the Right Hand of the Father where my good works cannot help it and my bad works cannot hurt it.”

Justification by faith does not mean justification because of faith. It is a faith that is passive and a gift from God that unites us to Christ, and it is Christ’s righteousness that is imputed to us. Justification by faith is in reality justification through Him. It is by the means of faith, on the occasion of belief, but that faith is not a condition nor is it meritorious. The only meritorious ground of our justification is Christ’s life and death. We have nothing to boast of except the Lord Himself, for He is Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6). Justification is Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, et Soli Deo Gloria.

Are you justified by faith?