Faith Matters: May 6, 2009

There are two kinds of justification in the Bible - justification before God and justification before men. The same Greek word is used for both.

Justification was a legal term describing a favorable verdict in a trial. It means, "to declare righteous."

The Bible teaches justification by faith alone.

In his epistle to the Romans, the apostle Paul makes the case that Abraham was justified by faith alone. (3:28; 4:5-6, 9, 13, 16-22)

Abraham was declared righteous before God when he believed God would fulfill His promise to him. (Genesis 15:6) Today, God promises eternal life to all who believe in His Son. (John 3:16)

When we believe in Jesus Christ for eternal life, we are declared righteous before God. (Romans 3:22-26; 4:23-25; Galatians 2:16' Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 3:9)

But how can a Holy God declare sinners righteous? Scripture reveals that His Son became guilty of our sins and paid the penalty for them by His death. (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:9, 19)

God credits the believer with His righteousness as a gift of His grace. (Romans 3:24; 4:16; 5:16-17; Titus 3:7)

The Bible also says a person is "justified by works and not by faith alone." (James 2:24)

Abraham was justified by works when he offered up Isaac (James 2:21) "but not before God." (Romans 4:2) Rahab was justified by works when she protected the spies. (James 2:24-25)

The Bible doesn't contradict itself.

Justification before God is indeed by faith alone. But justification before men is by works that reveal the believer's faith. (James 2:18)