Justified by Faith

"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law" (Rom. 3:28).

I think a lot of people struggle with justification.  I was recently reading J. C. Ryle's Holiness in which he states that people often confuse justification and sanctification.  He explains that the act of being declared right in the sight of God (justification) is different from the process of becoming righteous (sanctification).

It is often difficult to "feel" right with God, because we don't always act righteously.  This failure to conform to God's standard generates conviction accompanied by godly sorrow.  This experience is meant to drive us to confession and repentance.  When we confess, we acknowledge our guilt for breaking God's righteous standard.  When we repent, we turn from our sin and pursue God's ways.

Now it is important to realize that the declaration of our righteousness, by God, is a fixed reality.  We cannot be more righteous.  By God's grace, through faith in Christ's work and person, we are extended full and free pardon.  In Christ, we are viewed as right with God.  The sin debt we owed to a holy God has been paid in full by Christ Jesus our Lord.

In our experiences; however, we need realize that the Holy Spirit is at work in us to bring about the righteousness we possess.  Growing in righteousness is a long and painful process, but one we can be sure the Spirit will bring to completion (Phil. 1:6).

If we do not keep these two realities separate in our minds, we will lack confidence in our salvation.  When conviction hits, Satan often attacks with accusations intended to hijack godly sorrow so that he can immobilize us.  Understanding that we stand right before God, by grace through faith, makes it easier to confess, repent, and move forward in obedience.  When we understand that our right standing before God is based solely on God's grace, it encourages us to cling more closely to him.

If we also understand that the Spirit is growing into the fullness of the righteousness that has been given to us in Christ, it will keep us from believing Satan's lies.  We are not right with God because of what we do. We are right with God because of what Jesus did.  By his grace, we walk in line with that truth.