Justification, necessity of

Sinful, law-breaking humanity needs a means of justification because of its failure to keep God's law and live up to God's requirements.

Justification in human relationships

The acquittal of the innocent

Deuteronomy 25:1 See also Proverbs 17:15; Isaiah 43:9, Isaiah 43:26; Romans 8:33

If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned.

Justification of oneself

Job 32:2 See also Luke 10:29, Luke 16:15, Luke 18:9–14

This kindled the anger of Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram. He burned with anger against Job for justifying himself rather than God,

The need for justification

The reality of God's righteousness

Psalm 11:7 See also Psalm 33:5, Psalm 35:28; Jeremiah 23:6; Matthew 6:33; John 17:25; Romans 1:17, Romans 3:22

For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face.

The reality of God's justice

Psalm 9:8 See also Job 36:3; Psalm 11:7, Psalm 33:5; Isaiah 5:16; Jeremiah 9:24; Luke 18:7; Revelation 19:11

He judges the world with justice; He governs the people with equity.

The reality of God's judgment

Genesis 18:25 See also Judges 11:27; Psalm 51:4; Micah 6:2; Matthew 12:36; Romans 2:16

Far be it from You to do such a thing — to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”

The reality of God's law

James 4:12 See also Exodus 20:2–17 parallel Deuteronomy 5:6–21; Psalm 19:7; Isaiah 33:22; Romans 7:12, Romans 7:16, Romans 8:3–4; 1 Timothy 1:8

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Human guilt shows the need for justification

Psalm 143:2 See also Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8, 1 John 1:10

Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.

People are unable to justify themselves, even through the law

Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:20–21; Galatians 2:15–16 See also Amos 4:4; Matthew 5:20; Luke 10:29, Luke 16:15, Luke 18:9–14; Romans 1:17, Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:21, Galatians 3:2–3, Galatians 2:11 Paul opposes Peter's position on circumcision; Galatians 5:4; Philippians 3:4–8

Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets.

We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile “sinners” know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.