"Being Justified" by Librae Jackson, Deacon

I was recently asked a very good question: "How do you know that you're justified before God?"

It behoves every Christian to be able to give a Scriptural answer of this hope that we have. Several verses came to mind, as I considered the question. Approaching the matter Biblically, this is how I know that I'm justified; right with God; righteous before Holy God:

I believe that God justified me freely by His grace, as a sinner, apart from my works. It's because of Christ's work at the Cross, whereby I've been brought into a right relationship with God. He's the spotless Lamb of God whose blood fulfilled the Scriptures' promise of redemption. The promise is to all who believe, so I believe.

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:21-24)

I believe that Christ, in my place, lived the righteous life that I could not live. He obeyed God's law perfectly, and it's by simple faith in Him, that I'm declared justified by God. So, rather than foolishly touting my own merits, I lean my soul upon Christ, and His finished work.

Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith." (Galatians 3:10-12)

I believe that God is just, in showing mercy toward sinners like me, because Christ satisfied God's strict justice, when He was punished under God's wrath. By faith, I know that it was in my place that He died. The sacrifice of Himself was acceptable to make atonement. Therefore, God is absolutely just, to justify me.

Whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:25-26)

I believe in the goodness of God, to justify the ungodly.

What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.” (Romans 4:1-8)


I believe that God is gracious and propitious toward sinners, who need mercy. I must humbly take my place with the lowly, penitent tax collector, who acknowledged his sinfulness, cried out for mercy, and went home justified, rather than the pharisee, who trusted his own righteousness (Luke 18:9-14). I believe that, as I confess my sin, He is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse me.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Christ, alone, is the basis of my hope, and the reason for my justification. It's by trusting Christ - not myself, that I have assurance that God is for me. It's by believing that what Christ did is enough to make me right with God, and to give me the strength to live right. He says "the just shall live by faith."

“Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith." (Habakkuk 2:4)

There are numerous other verses that could be referred to, in relation to this topic of justification. These are simply a few that came to mind, that I could immediately grab hold of. They are helpful reminders of why I'm right with God, and appropriate answers for anyone who would enquire about such a possibility. By faith (taking God at His word), I affirm that what Christ did was for me, and I am, therefore, justified before Holy God.