Many fields of study use various words specific to that particular field.

For example, the jargon used in the study of law is different from that used in mathematics, grammar, or science.

The same is true of theology. There are a lot of big words: sanctification, regeneration, concupiscence, trinity, etc.

Many of these words don’t actually appear in the Bible, but this doesn’t invalidate their usage. The big words are a shorthand way of explaining complex biblical concepts.

One of the most important theological terms is justification.

Justification is a word that has been borrowed from the field of law. The root of this word is “to justify.”

This word is still commonly used in law. When someone commits an act that normally would be viewed as criminal but in certain situations isn’t (such as self-defense), the court of law would say that person was justified.

But what does it mean to be justified and how does it relate to theology?

To be justified means to be declared righteous, innocent, just. In law, it means that the court has determined that a person did no wrong and that their actions were right and just.

The term justify relates to theology because this is what God does with sinners. Justification describes the way by which sinners are set right with God.

The New Testament book of Romans uses a lot of legal language to describe our standing before God.

God is the judge.

Paul begins Romans by building the case that all people are sinners, that all have disobeyed the Law of God.

Paul comes to the climax of the accusation, saying, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

All are worthy of death, having fallen short of God’s perfect standard.

Yet, in the second half of the sentence Paul brings swift resolution to the problem.

He writes, “And are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith.” (Romans 3:24-25)

All people are worthy of eternal punishment, but God justifies the sinner. God declares the sinner righteous by His grace, by His undeserved kindness.

God doesn’t do this because of anything worthy in humanity, for all have sinned.

God does this on account of Jesus who bore the sins of the world on the cross, that whoever believes in Him shall receive eternal life.

St. John writes, “But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1)

Jesus paid the price of our sin, so that on His account God has declared the believer righteous, that is, without sin. This doesn’t mean that believers don’t sin, but that God doesn’t count their sin against them because of Jesus.

Justification is a shorthand way of describing how sinners receive salvation from God by faith in Jesus’ work on the cross to save sinners.

Travis E. Lauterbach is Pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at Falcon Mesa Business Park, 350 Falcon Ridge Parkway, Building 600. Worship services are held each Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

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