What does the Bible say about justification before god?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that sinners are justified before God not by their own law-keeping, but by God’s gracious provision of righteousness through His Servant, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Job asks how anyone can be right with God, since no one can answer Him or claim perfect obedience (Job 9:2-3; James 2:10). The law promises life to the one who does it perfectly (Leviticus 18:5; Romans 10:5), yet Romans 2:13 confirms that mere hearing cannot justify. Isaiah foretells that God’s righteous Servant would bear sin and justify many (Isaiah 53:11), so that in the Lord all His people are justified (Isaiah 45:25). Therefore, since God Himself justifies, no charge can finally stand against those who belong to Christ (Romans 8:33).
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- Promised in Christ Isaiah 45:25; Isaiah 53:11
- Is the act of God Isaiah 50:8; Romans 8:33
- Under law
- Requires perfect obedience Leviticus 18:5; Romans 10:5; Romans 2:13; James 2:10
- Man cannot attain to Job 9:2; Job 9:3; Job 9:20; Job 25:4; Psalms 130:3; Psalms 143:2; Romans 3:20; Romans 9:31; Romans 9:32
- Under the gospel
- Is not of works Acts 13:39; Romans 8:3; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:11
- Is not of faith and works united Acts 15:1-29; Romans 3:28; Romans 11:6; Galatians 2:14-21; Galatians 5:4
- Is by faith alone John 5:24; Acts 13:39; Romans 3:30; Romans 5:1; Galatians 2:16
- Is of grace Romans 3:24; Romans 4:16; Romans 5:17-21
- In the name of Christ 1 Corinthians 6:11
- By imputation of Christ’s righteousness Isaiah 61:10; Jeremiah 23:6; Romans 3:22; Romans 5:18; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21
- By the blood of Christ Romans 5:9
- By the resurrection of Christ Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:17
- Blessedness of Psalms 32:1; Psalms 32:2; Romans 4:6-8
- Frees from condemnation Isaiah 50:8; Isaiah 50:9; Isaiah 54:17; Romans 8:33; Romans 8:34
- Entitles to an inheritance Titus 3:7
- Ensures glorification Romans 8:30
- The wicked shall not attain to Exodus 23:7
- By faith
- Revealed under the Old Testament age Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17
- Excludes boasting Romans 3:27; Romans 4:2; 1 Corinthians 1:29; 1 Corinthians 1:31
- Does not make void the law Romans 3:30; Romans 3:31; 1 Corinthians 9:21
- Typified Zechariah 3:4; Zechariah 3:5
- Illustrated Luke 18:14
- Exemplified
- Abraham Genesis 15:6
- Paul Philippians 3:8; Philippians 3:9
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