Justification: Declared Righteous Series

Propitiation – This is act of grace we considered in our last study. It too is a vital element in our justification. This reveals “a sacrifice, a covering, the payment and appeasement for sin, fully satisfying the righteous demands of the Father – literally turning away His wrath and being reconciled to Him.” Jesus satisfied the debt that sin had caused. Through His gracious sacrifice on the cross, His righteousness is now imputed to our account. We are declared righteous through the propitiation of the Son. Had Christ not died for our sin, providing redemption through the propitiating sacrifice, we would have no hope of justification.

God’s Forbearance – Paul spoke of an element that we may overlook, but it is very essential to our justification by faith. God in His mercy and grace was longsuffering toward us. He would have been just to have left us in our sin, forcing us to bear the penalty for our sin. We were guilty and worthy of death because of sin. Through His patient grace, God provided a sacrifice in His Son. As we walked in sin, God continued to be gracious toward us individually. He sent the Holy Spirit to convict our sin and draw us unto Himself. Were it not for God’s longsuffering and grace, none would receive salvation, being justified by faith.

C. The Provision (25b) – to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Through His abundant grace, and the finished work of Christ, we are now declared righteous in the eyes of God. We received the remission of sins committed prior to salvation. This means “to pass over, to overlook, to put aside without punishment.” As God declares us righteous through Christ, He makes the conscious decision to forgive our sin, literally laying them aside without demanding the punishment they deserve. We are viewed as righteous in the eyes of God, just as He views His Son! This is only possible because Christ willingly took our place, bearing the judgment we deserved. Our sin is forgiven and forgotten – fully atoned and never remembered against us!

III. The Righteous without Sin (26) – To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Finally we must consider an essential principle regarding the justification of sinners. This would never have been possible were it not for the Righteous one making provision for us through His matchless grace. Paul declared:

A. He is Righteous (26a) – In order for God to demand complete righteousness, He must be righteous Himself. No one else could make such a demand because no one else possessed the righteousness of God. We must understand that God’s righteousness is holy and perfect. Had He been like humanity, He would have condemned us in our sin without making a way for our justification. Many today are self-righteous and have little, if any compassion toward others. God could have condemned us to death, but through His grace He provided for our justification.