The Doctrine of Justification

The doctrine of justification by faith alone was the heart of the Gospel; that is, it was the center and heart of the Reformation.  The Gospel shaped Paul’s message and devotion to God.  The New Testament affirms and defends the doctrine of justification; however, it primarily comes from Saint Paul.  God pardons sinners and accepts them as righteous because of Christ’s sake.  God makes things right in this doctrine between a holy God and a sinner.  It is a status acceptance for Christ’s sake.  God forgives unjust persons, but not through injustice or unrighteousness.  He forgives on the basis of Christ alone; that is, Christ took the divine justice due for lost rebels and gives them His own very righteousness.  There is nothing unjust about this doctrine.  Christ lived perfectly and merited our own justification.  Justification is on a just basis; that is, it is on Christ and Him alone.  His righteousness is accounted to our account.  The doctrine of justification is a destination to eternal heaven.  Justification is a judgment on our eternal destiny; but God would never refuse or reverse it.  But Satan argues and appeals against it to destroy us but Christ’s merit and meditation stand firm.  It means to be justified is to be eternally secure.  Faith is the instrument of justification in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Redeemer.  Trust is necessary because of the meritorious basis of Christ alone.  We find divine and cosmic pardon and acceptance that no one else offers to His people.