The condemnation upon man makes his justification necessary. Justification is not to be compared with a verdict of not guilty but justification implies that the one accused is not guilty at all and the accusation against him is not founded. It is as if the one appearing in judgment has actually done nothing worthy of condemnation. There was simply an accuser who then had to give up because there was actually no guilt. The case is closed.

In one way, man is guilty before God, and, therefore, he needs His forgiveness. But justification as viewed in the eyes of God must be experienced by him. God sees man through the act of atonement and forgiveness in Christ as though he never sinned. The saying, “forgive, but not forget” applies to us only. Even if we forgive one another from all our hearts, we are still reminded about the things which once happened. But it is different with God. He forgave the sins and remembers them no more. No one has the right to dig things out of somebody’s life, if God has justified him. Whoever does this, becomes guilty himself, because he has denied the power of the justification of God through the total forgiveness of sins.

Because man is born once into this sinful state without having another chance, God had to take the judgment and punishment upon Himself according to His law in order to justify man. In the form of the Son, He, therefore, made the atonement and thereby He had given back total justification to man. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isa. 53:5).

In his epistle to the church in Rome, Paul taught the Biblical justification very clearly, and showed how the same is to be experienced. In view of the gospel of Jesus Christ and justification, he writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For in it is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Rom. 1:16-17).

God did not only save man from destruction and death but He also justified man completely and gave him back the divine righteousness. Self-justification through works leads only to self-righteousness. If God’s righteousness is given unto us, self-righteousness is no more needed, because it has no value before God, on the contrary it can be a great hindrance unto us. It is written, “Therefore, by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Rom. 3:20).

Through the sovereign act of God, man was lifted out from his lost and condemned state and placed back into his original place. That is the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God not only forgave us but He justified us and gave unto us His Own righteousness. “… Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference. 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 …” (Rom. 3:22-24).

We must only heed to the divine message — the gospel of Jesus Christ, and give it the proper place. It is indeed the glorious message of salvation which is being proclaimed unto the ends of the earth. Mankind is reconciled with God. “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus.” (Rom. 3:26). It is not faith in a founder of religion or in any denomination that causes this divine justification, but rather a true faith in Jesus Christ in Whom God met humanity and reconciled the same here on earth with Himself. “Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” (Rom. 3:28).

It is very clear that the apostle Paul was totally taken up by the truth of justification. Therefore, he wrote in a number of chapters about this theme. In chapters 3 to 8, he gave the complete introduction to the plan of salvation. Everyone needs to receive by faith what God has already given, and be thankful for it. Whoever tries to achieve it by his own works, will never recognise the accomplished Work of God in its true significance. Whatever we try to do ourselves only hinders us to see what God has actually done. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Rom. 4:5).

In Abraham we have a very important lesson that someone who is spoken to by God and receives His promise should not look upon himself or upon the surrounding circumstances, but rather believe from his heart what God had said. Such a person will see the things as though they were already in existence and could give praises unto God, living in the assurance of faith and being steadfastly convinced that God will do and accomplish what He has promised.

In Rom. 5, the apostle further writes, “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ …” (vs. 1). He shows that we have access to the throne of grace by faith and can rejoice in the glorious hope in whatever situation we might be found. He emphasises over again the great truth of justification. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Rom. 5:9). Time and again he emphasised upon the true faith in Jesus Christ, the Crucified and the justification through His holy and precious blood.

The apostle summarises this great truth with the following statement, “Therefore, as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Rom. 5:18-19). Experience shows that judgment of condemnation had come upon all since Adam. But we also can believe that this judgment was taken away and by being pardoned by God we have received total justification.

In the 6th chapter, the apostle tells us that we are crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and also resurrected to newness of life.

Romans 7 shows man in all his helplessness, betrayed and deceived by sin and facing the hardness of the divine judgment. Only where there is a law can be a transgression. Without the giving of the law with all its commandments, humanity would have never known what righteous doing is. The law was given for the purpose that men could be caught in their transgressions. The righteous judge using His Own law and pronouncing condemnation has brought redemption and made grace available to all who are willing to receive it. “… and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” (Jas. 2:13).

Man recognises first that he is in bondage and is a slave of many habits and passions, etc. Then he cries out, “For that which I do I understand not; for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I … For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not … Oh, wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Rom.
7:15-24). Everyone who would experience a conversion to the Lord will have to go through this inner process. Without it no real turning to God is possible.

In chapter 8 follows the divine reality experienced by those justified through Christ. The one who is justified through the accomplished work of redemption then cries out, “There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (vs. 1). Those who found peace with God are entering into His rest.

Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10), and those who are in his service will always raise accusations against the justified. Paul apparently knew of this state and wrote on our behalf, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth? Who is he that condemneth? …” (Rom. 8:33-34).

True justification is not only a doctrine but it is an experience. Justification is the second part of the forgiveness. God had to condemn man, because he was guilty. Through the power of the blood and through the redemption, the guilt was paid. Any further accusation is not possible, even though Satan constantly tries so hard. He did this also with Martin Luther who then received the assurance of faith and having had the experience of justification, he cried out, “The just shall live by faith.” Divine righteousness comes by faith in the finished work of redemption through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

At conversion, man turns to God when his self life ends, and he experiences a new birth. The new life starts after forgiveness. As certain as Christ rose from the dead after His suffering, we are justified and brought back into true fellowship with God. “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Rom. 4:25). As certain as Jesus Christ died, our sins are forgiven and as certain as He rose from the dead, we are justified.

The apostle James shows how the faith of those who are justified is applied. They do whatever God said and prove their obedience by their works. “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.” (Jas. 2:22-23).

Works do not justify a man. They are simply done in obedience by those justified. Whoever believes God acts according to whatever He hath commanded. Abraham believed that God would raise his son Isaac from the dead and, therefore, he was ready to sacrifice him as he was commanded. Because he believed, he acted in obedience. James does not refer to works someone does according to his own imagination, but rather refers to the obedient action towards God and His Word. Whoever truly believes will prove that by doing what God said. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatever I command you.” (Jn. 15:14). That is the breath of a living faith.

The one justified through faith in Jesus Christ stands before God as though he had never sinned. He is placed back into his eternal destination and now only waiting for the changing of this body. Whoever truly believes will underline this by his own life being obedient to God as Abraham was. In the letter to the Hebrews, the redeemed and the justified are shown in the following description, “But ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, who are written in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect …” (12:22-23).

The condemnation upon man makes his justification necessary. Justification is not to be compared with a verdict of not guilty but justification implies that the one accused is not guilty at all and the accusation against him is not founded. It is as if the one appearing in judgment has actually done nothing worthy of condemnation. There was simply an accuser who then had to give up because there was actually no guilt. The case is closed.

In one way, man is guilty before God, and, therefore, he needs His forgiveness. But justification as viewed in the eyes of God must be experienced by him. God sees man through the act of atonement and forgiveness in Christ as though he never sinned. The saying, “forgive, but not forget” applies to us only. Even if we forgive one another from all our hearts, we are still reminded about the things which once happened. But it is different with God. He forgave the sins and remembers them no more. No one has the right to dig things out of somebody’s life, if God has justified him. Whoever does this, becomes guilty himself, because he has denied the power of the justification of God through the total forgiveness of sins.

Because man is born once into this sinful state without having another chance, God had to take the judgment and punishment upon Himself according to His law in order to justify man. In the form of the Son, He, therefore, made the atonement and thereby He had given back total justification to man. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isa. 53:5).

In his epistle to the church in Rome, Paul taught the Biblical justification very clearly, and showed how the same is to be experienced. In view of the gospel of Jesus Christ and justification, he writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For in it is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Rom. 1:16-17).

God did not only save man from destruction and death but He also justified man completely and gave him back the divine righteousness. Self-justification through works leads only to self-righteousness. If God’s righteousness is given unto us, self-righteousness is no more needed, because it has no value before God, on the contrary it can be a great hindrance unto us. It is written, “Therefore, by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Rom. 3:20).

Through the sovereign act of God, man was lifted out from his lost and condemned state and placed back into his original place. That is the essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God not only forgave us but He justified us and gave unto us His Own righteousness. “… Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference. 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 …” (Rom. 3:22-24).

We must only heed to the divine message — the gospel of Jesus Christ, and give it the proper place. It is indeed the glorious message of salvation which is being proclaimed unto the ends of the earth. Mankind is reconciled with God. “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus.” (Rom. 3:26). It is not faith in a founder of religion or in any denomination that causes this divine justification, but rather a true faith in Jesus Christ in Whom God met humanity and reconciled the same here on earth with Himself. “Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” (Rom. 3:28).

It is very clear that the apostle Paul was totally taken up by the truth of justification. Therefore, he wrote in a number of chapters about this theme. In chapters 3 to 8, he gave the complete introduction to the plan of salvation. Everyone needs to receive by faith what God has already given, and be thankful for it. Whoever tries to achieve it by his own works, will never recognise the accomplished Work of God in its true significance. Whatever we try to do ourselves only hinders us to see what God has actually done. “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” (Rom. 4:5).

In Abraham we have a very important lesson that someone who is spoken to by God and receives His promise should not look upon himself or upon the surrounding circumstances, but rather believe from his heart what God had said. Such a person will see the things as though they were already in existence and could give praises unto God, living in the assurance of faith and being steadfastly convinced that God will do and accomplish what He has promised.

In Rom. 5, the apostle further writes, “Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ …” (vs. 1). He shows that we have access to the throne of grace by faith and can rejoice in the glorious hope in whatever situation we might be found. He emphasises over again the great truth of justification. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Rom. 5:9). Time and again he emphasised upon the true faith in Jesus Christ, the Crucified and the justification through His holy and precious blood.

The apostle summarises this great truth with the following statement, “Therefore, as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” (Rom. 5:18-19). Experience shows that judgment of condemnation had come upon all since Adam. But we also can believe that this judgment was taken away and by being pardoned by God we have received total justification.

In the 6th chapter, the apostle tells us that we are crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and also resurrected to newness of life.

Romans 7 shows man in all his helplessness, betrayed and deceived by sin and facing the hardness of the divine judgment. Only where there is a law can be a transgression. Without the giving of the law with all its commandments, humanity would have never known what righteous doing is. The law was given for the purpose that men could be caught in their transgressions. The righteous judge using His Own law and pronouncing condemnation has brought redemption and made grace available to all who are willing to receive it. “… and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” (Jas. 2:13).

Man recognises first that he is in bondage and is a slave of many habits and passions, etc. Then he cries out, “For that which I do I understand not; for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I … For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing; for to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not … Oh, wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Rom.
7:15-24). Everyone who would experience a conversion to the Lord will have to go through this inner process. Without it no real turning to God is possible.

In chapter 8 follows the divine reality experienced by those justified through Christ. The one who is justified through the accomplished work of redemption then cries out, “There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (vs. 1). Those who found peace with God are entering into His rest.

Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10), and those who are in his service will always raise accusations against the justified. Paul apparently knew of this state and wrote on our behalf, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth? Who is he that condemneth? …” (Rom. 8:33-34).

True justification is not only a doctrine but it is an experience. Justification is the second part of the forgiveness. God had to condemn man, because he was guilty. Through the power of the blood and through the redemption, the guilt was paid. Any further accusation is not possible, even though Satan constantly tries so hard. He did this also with Martin Luther who then received the assurance of faith and having had the experience of justification, he cried out, “The just shall live by faith.” Divine righteousness comes by faith in the finished work of redemption through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

At conversion, man turns to God when his self life ends, and he experiences a new birth. The new life starts after forgiveness. As certain as Christ rose from the dead after His suffering, we are justified and brought back into true fellowship with God. “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.” (Rom. 4:25). As certain as Jesus Christ died, our sins are forgiven and as certain as He rose from the dead, we are justified.

The apostle James shows how the faith of those who are justified is applied. They do whatever God said and prove their obedience by their works. “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of God.” (Jas. 2:22-23).

Works do not justify a man. They are simply done in obedience by those justified. Whoever believes God acts according to whatever He hath commanded. Abraham believed that God would raise his son Isaac from the dead and, therefore, he was ready to sacrifice him as he was commanded. Because he believed, he acted in obedience. James does not refer to works someone does according to his own imagination, but rather refers to the obedient action towards God and His Word. Whoever truly believes will prove that by doing what God said. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatever I command you.” (Jn. 15:14). That is the breath of a living faith.

The one justified through faith in Jesus Christ stands before God as though he had never sinned. He is placed back into his eternal destination and now only waiting for the changing of this body. Whoever truly believes will underline this by his own life being obedient to God as Abraham was. In the letter to the Hebrews, the redeemed and the justified are shown in the following description, “But ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, who are written in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect …” (12:22-23).