I think you would agree the Bible has some pretty big words, but if we’ll look deeper, they are BIG in context too.
One of those words is justification.
The dictionary gives three basic definitions. One is simply the act of justifying; meaning an explanation that defends you or a circumstance. A second definition is found in the world of printing to describe the spacing of words and letters with even margins on both sides.
But the third definition says: justification by faith. It describes the act of God whereby humankind is made or accounted as just, or free from guilt or penalty of sin. I was personally impressed that the dictionary listed this definition with that much explanation.
But it only scratches the surface.
The Bible says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Biblically, justification describes the grace of God which has been made available to everyone through faith. It is God’s declaration that the believing sinner is righteous and acceptable before Him..
Here’s a short story that will help make this point:
A man was at his local barber shop getting a haircut when the conversation turned to God and His existence. The barber said, "I don't believe there is a God. If there was, why is there so much evil and pain in this world." The man, wanting to get a good haircut, decided not to argue with the barber although he was a believer. He too had often wondered about these things but at that moment had no explanation.
After the man paid the barber and opened the door to leave, he saw a dirty, unshaven, homeless gentleman across the street pushing a shopping cart full of his life's belongings. The man paused in the doorway and turned back to the barber and said, "You know, I don't believe in barbers." Everyone in the barber shop turned and looked at him as the barber laughed out loud and said, "Well you just came to one!"
The man pointed to the homeless man across the street and said, "Look at him. His hair is overgrown and a mess. No, I don't believe in barbers." The barber, now irritated, said, "Well, that's not my fault. He just doesn't come to me."
The man looked directly at barber as he left and said, "Maybe that's God's problem too."
If only more people would turn to God instead of running from Him.
Grace is defined as divine, unmerited favor, available to the sinner for salvation and the redeemed for victorious living. Note the word available. I’m personally so thankful for God’s grace but it only helps me when I look to, lean on, and rely on God– on good days, bad days, and every day in between.
Justification describes the grace of God which has been made available to everyone through faith. “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). “And we can all be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we’ve done” (Romans 3:22b, NLT).
In other words, God justifies (and helps) those who come to Him by abundantly pouring out His grace upon them. It’s not about work or performance. John 1:7 reminds us that “…the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Justification is definitely a big Bible word– but more so in content than letters. And what I want you to remember is that justification has its roots in grace. This means there’s nothing you and I could do to earn the love, pardon or favor we have received from God. The act of turning to God opens the door that invites us in.
We’ve been justified and it’s by grace, and grace alone.
