Years ago a newly constructed bank building in Sao Paulo, Brazil, burned to the ground. Forty-six stories high, burned all the way to the ground. Several of the air-conditioners on the 12th floor had not been wired properly. 600 employees were in the building at the time. 188 died. One-third died when they jumped or fell to their death. One-fourth died when they went to the top floor to escape the flames and instead were captured by them. But the reason even more did not die is because of a 27-year-old elevator operator. She had been told to get out of the building and forget the elevator. But she refused. Instead, she kept taking the elevator up and down bringing as many as 25 to safety each time. She went up to get the fourth load. When the elevator hit the 20th floor the power shut off. The next day they found her charred body lying by the door of the elevator. She saved many others by dying for them. She died in their place. The Bible is saying that Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, came into the world. He took your sin and my sin, placed upon Himself, He died in our place. The nails that should have been driven through my hands and yours were driven through His. He died in our place and rose again the third day.
Therefore, the reason God can declare you righteous is because someone took your punishment. All you have to do is believe. Again, verse five says, "But believe on Him who justifies the ungodly."