T2L1 Justification [Discipleship Class]
- Rev. Bruce A. Shields
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
THE HOUSE OF FAITH CHURCH | REPLUM DISCIPLESHIP COURSE
REPLUM INSTITUTE FOR CHRISTIAN STUDIES | WWW.REPLUM.ORG | WWW.PS127.ORG
TERM 2 LESSON 1: JUSTIFICATION
KEY VERSE TO MEMORIZE
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
LESSON OVERVIEW
Having learned the foundations of faith in Term 1, we now begin studying how to live the Christian life. We start with justification, one of the most essential truths in the believer’s walk. Justification is God’s act of declaring sinners righteous on the basis of Christ’s finished work, not our own attempts at goodness. A right grasp of this doctrine strengthens confidence in our standing before God and shapes the way we pursue holiness.
WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION?
THE MEANING OF JUSTIFICATION
Justification refers to God’s legal declaration that a sinner is righteous in His sight. Scripture uses courtroom language to describe this divine act.
“Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies.” Romans 8:33
“For the demonstration of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:26
Justification is not God making us righteous in our character. That belongs to sanctification. It is His declaration concerning our status before Him.
JUSTIFICATION IS FORENSIC
Justification is a judicial pronouncement, not a moral transformation.
“But to the one who does not work, but believes upon Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” Romans 4:5
“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.” Romans 4:7–8
God declares us righteous even while the ongoing work of sanctification continues.
JUSTIFICATION IS INSTANTANEOUS
Justification happens fully at the moment of genuine faith.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:24
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
The believer is immediately and completely justified.
THE PROBLEM JUSTIFICATION SOLVES
ALL HAVE SINNED
Every person has fallen short of God’s perfect standard.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8
None can stand before God by earthly righteousness.
GOD’S WRATH AGAINST SIN
Sin leaves humanity under divine wrath.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” Romans 1:18
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life, but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36
Without justification, judgment remains upon us.
OUR INABILITY TO JUSTIFY OURSELVES
Human effort cannot remove guilt or produce perfect righteousness.
“Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20
“For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment.” Isaiah 64:6
We cannot cleanse ourselves. We need God’s provision.
THE BASIS OF JUSTIFICATION
CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS
Justification rests on the perfect righteousness of Christ.
“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30
His obedience, not ours, provides the ground of acceptance.
THE GREAT EXCHANGE
In justification our sin is credited to Christ, and His righteousness is credited to us.
“All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but Yahweh has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” Isaiah 53:6
This exchange occurred at the cross.
CHRIST’S ACTIVE AND PASSIVE OBEDIENCE
Christ fulfilled the Law for us in His life and bore its curse for us in His death.
“For as through one man’s disobedience the many were appointed sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be appointed righteous.” Romans 5:19
Both aspects are essential.
HOW JUSTIFICATION OCCURS
BY GRACE ALONE
Justification flows entirely from God’s grace.
“Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:24
“But when the kindness and affection of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not by works which we did in righteousness, but according to His mercy.” Titus 3:4–5
Grace means God does for us what we could never achieve.
THROUGH FAITH ALONE
Faith is the instrument that receives justification.
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
“For we consider a man to be justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” Romans 3:28
Faith is not a work. It is trust in Christ’s work.
IN CHRIST ALONE
Salvation is found exclusively in Christ.
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” John 14:6
FAITH COUNTED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS
God credits righteousness to the believer.
“And Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:3
“But for us also, to whom it will be counted, as those who believe upon Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” Romans 4:24
This is the very heart of the doctrine.
THE RESULTS OF JUSTIFICATION
PEACE WITH GOD
Justification ends hostility and grants peace.
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
NO CONDEMNATION
The justified are free from condemnation forever.
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
“Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies; who is the one who condemns?” Romans 8:33–34
ACCESS TO GOD
Justification gives us confident access to the Father.
“Through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:2
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
ETERNAL LIFE
Justification grants the hope and reality of eternal life.
“So that having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:24
ADOPTION AS GOD’S CHILDREN
The justified are welcomed into God’s family.
“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:4–5
“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” Romans 8:15
ASSURANCE FROM JUSTIFICATION
JUSTIFICATION IS COMPLETE
Christ’s work leaves nothing unfinished.
“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7
“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14
GOD SEES US AS RIGHTEOUS
In Christ the believer is fully accepted.
“To the praise of the glory of His grace, which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:6
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1
LIVING AS JUSTIFIED PEOPLE
MOTIVATION FOR GOOD WORKS
God’s grace teaches us holiness.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live sensibly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” Titus 2:11–12
HUMILITY AND GRATITUDE
Justification destroys boasting.
“For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive?” 1 Corinthians 4:7
“But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Galatians 6:14
CONFIDENCE IN PRAYER
The justified come boldly.
“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.” Ephesians 3:12
LOVE FOR OTHERS
Justified people show grace.
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, graciously forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has graciously forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32
“We love, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
KEY POINTS SUMMARY
• Justification is God's legal declaration that sinners are righteous
• Justification is based on Christ's righteousness, not our works
• Justification occurs by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone
• Justification brings peace with God, no condemnation, and eternal life
• Justification is complete and cannot be lost
• Understanding justification motivates holy living and provides assurance
• Justified believers should live with humility, gratitude, and love
• Justification gives us confidence in prayer and relationships with others
SELF-REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How does understanding that justification is a legal declaration rather than a moral improvement affect your confidence before God?
What does it mean to you personally that God sees you as perfectly righteous because of Christ?
How should the truth that justification cannot be lost change the way you approach God when you sin?
In what ways does understanding justification motivate you to live a holy life rather than making you careless about sin?
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Rest in Your Righteousness:
Stop trying to earn God's acceptance through your performance. Rest in the truth that Christ's righteousness is already credited to your account.
Approach God with Confidence:
Since you are justified, you can come boldly to God in prayer. You don't have to wonder if He accepts you - He does, based on Christ's work.
Live from Gratitude:
Let your obedience flow from thankfulness for what God has done, not from attempts to earn His favor. You're already fully accepted.
Help Others Understand:
When you meet people struggling with guilt or trying to earn salvation, help them understand the wonderful truth of justification by faith alone.
Practice Forgiveness:
Since God has forgiven you completely, extend that same forgiveness to others who have wronged you.
QUIZ - JUSTIFICATION
Instructions: Answer all questions honestly. Check your answers with the answer key below. Calculate your score and write it in the space provided.
True or False: Justification means God makes us righteous gradually over time.
Fill in the blank: "Being therefore justified by _______FAITH______, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Multiple Choice: Justification is based on: a) Our good works b) Christ's righteousness c) Our sincere efforts d) Church membership
True or False: We can lose our justification if we sin too much.
Fill in the blank: "For all have ______SINNED_______, and fall short of the glory of God."
Multiple Choice: According to Romans 3:28, we are justified by: a) Faith apart from works b) Faith plus works c) Works alone d) Baptism only
True or False: Justification gives us peace with God and removes all condemnation.
Fill in the blank: "For he has made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the _____RIGHTEOUSNESS________ of God."
Multiple Choice: What motivates justified people to do good works? a) Fear of losing salvation b) Gratitude for what God has done c) Trying to earn more favor d) Church requirements
Short Answer: Explain what the "great exchange" means in justification.
Christ took our sin; we received His righteousness.
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