Heard of these 2 words: ‘justification’ and ‘imputed’? If not, you MUST read on!

There are some words (concepts) that are completely essential to know if you are a Christian … the 2 words above are absolutely essential to know ... no 'buts' sorry, OK!

After all, didn’t even the very 'godly' Job ask this great question?

But how can a man be in the right before God?  (Job 9:2b ESV; NASV)

In fact, the Gospel demands that we become acquainted with these concepts. Why? Because they honour Christ and our worship of Him, they are powerful words (concepts) as to how we view ourselves before God and they are antidotes to heresy (bad, bad teaching).

What does it mean to be ‘justified’?

There are a few verses that speak of justification; the following may well be the earliest in Paul’s letters:

"We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified." Galatians 2: 15-16

What is Paul teaching here? What is justification?

To help answer these 2 questions, we need a definition of 'justification':

“Justification is the act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous in Jesus Christ.” (Warren Wiersbe)

You may need to read this a few times because this is really profound teaching.

To be justified is to receive a legal ‘not guilty’ verdict from God Himself; the moment we become Christians. It occurs in an instant and is NOT a process (as Catholicism wrongly teaches).

So it happens once, and once only – never to be repeated because God’s verdict is FINAL and no-one can challenge or ever change it: Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:33 (ESV)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (ESV). This is legal language. To be condemned is to receive a sentence. If we are 'in Christ Jesus' (true Christians) it is impossible to receive this horrible pronouncement from God (as a Judge).

So, that’s it! A Christian's position as being outside of Divine Judgement is rock solid.

God makes a declaration that the believing sinner has nothing to be condemned on Judgement Day because the believing sinner is forever (permanently) declared ‘NOT GUILTY’.

Therefore, peace reigns forever between the believing sinner and the Holy Creator because of what Jesus has done for him/her on the Cross; nothing that we have done … it’s ALL because of Jesus! A permanent peace is now a reality.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 (ESV)

Someone may ask the question … “if this is the case, then what has happened to my sin. I know Jesus paid the penalty for my sin on the Cross but what does this actually mean?”

To answer this, let’s look at another definition of justification:

Justification is an ‘act of God’s free grace, wherein He freely pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, which is received by faith alone.’ (Westminster Shorter Catechism.)

You will notice that this definition includes our second word ‘imputed’. This is a crucial word and ‘imputation’ is a crucial concept that is the heart of ‘justification’ and the heart of the Gospel.

Let’s look at the Scriptures:

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)

This verse teaches that Jesus was made ‘to be sin’ even though He ‘knew no sin’.

In other words, our sins were accounted (imputed) to Jesus on the Cross. He willingly paid the penalty for all our sins (past, present and future). This means he experienced the full wrath of God so we would never experience this (deserved) wrath.

Having done this for us, we can never be condemned for our sin – there is no sin that can condemn us – none. Also, there is nothing hostile that remains between God and us anymore – it’s all been dealt with by the perfect, finished work of Christ.

We "access" what Jesus has done by faith in Him (not our goodness - we don't have any!). That's why we are 'justified by faith". It's all about Jesus! The faith spoken of here is faith IN Jesus and His finished work.

However, let's look back at the verse above; we haven’t finished with it yet!

Paul tells us the IN HIM (JESUS), “… we might become the righteousness of God.”

OK folks; this is a Biblical concept that we must all know! Imputation!

We have already seen that God placed our sin on Jesus on the Cross.

But did you know that God has ‘imputed’ (‘or ascribed’; or ‘reckoned’ or 'accounted') His Son’s righteousness TO US by attributing TO US the benefit of the perfect work of Jesus?

Just think about that for a moment and it’s very hard not to get excited, nor is it hard not to be humbled!

Our sins were ‘imputed’ to Jesus; His righteousness (He perfectly kept the Law of God) has been ‘imputed’ to us.

He bore our sins; we are clothed in His righteousness.

This means that before the eyes of God you and I who are said to be ‘IN CHRIST’ have perfectly kept the law of God.

God requires righteousness from us! But this ‘righteousness' cannot be found in us! But what if this righteousness was given to us as a gift?

Check out this verse:

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." (Romans 1: 16-17 NIV)

Did you see that? A 'righteousness' not from us (we are lousy law keepers) but FROM GOD!

The righteousness of God that He requires comes FROM God as a gift and is imputed to all of you who believe on Jesus Christ - so that you may stand before Him, as you are, in all the perfection of Christ.

Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:10-11)

God does not look at you favourably apart from Christ, so to speak. When He sees you He sees you in unity with His Son. That's what it means to be 'in Christ'. He looks at you and sees you as 'righteous'; don't ever forget this ... this is GOOD NEWS!!

If I may paraphrase what John Piper says about this issue:

"You MUST remember this: Christ is your righteousness – not you. Christ is your righteousness. Your righteousness is in heaven. It's the same yesterday, today and forever. It doesn't get better when your faith is strong. It doesn't get worse when your faith is weak. It is perfect. It is Christ. Look away from yourself. Rest in him. Lean on Him."

The greater your understanding and appreciation of justification by faith alone, and His imputed righteousness to your account; the more intense and real will be your love for Jesus and others.

What God requires, Christ provides for all His children.

AMEN!

 "AND CAN IT BE" by Charles Wesley

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in him, my living head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown through Christ my own.

(If you have read this article this far I not only thank you but urge that you check out the resources below):

FURTHER RESOURCES

This article is based on a sermon I recently preached on the same topic. It can be downloaded HERE.

A far better, and inspiring, sermon by John Piper can downloaded HERE. A must download!

Also, you can download a free book (pdf)  by John Piper called 'COUNTED RIGHTEOUS IN CHRIST'.

A fantastic discussion on ‘justification’ and ‘imputation’ by Michael Horton, Kim Riddlebarger et al can be listened to HERE.  Can be downloaded free via their podcast ... a must download!

VIDEO REGARDING JUSTIFICATION and IMPUTATION: