Justification is by faith in and by the faith of Christ.

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<p>“Yet we know that a man is not justified [and placed in right standing with God] by works of the Law, but [only] through faith in [God’s beloved Son] Christ Jesus. And even we [as Jews] have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law. By observing the Law no one will ever be justified [declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty]. [Ps 143:2]”<br>‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬ ‭AMP‬‬</p>

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<p>Justification is a legal or judicial declaration of righteousness. Righteousness is a state of being acceptable to God. It is to be in such right standing with God as to be declared free from guilt, blame or sin. A person thus declared righteous can’t be condemned, can’t be declared guilty or be made to feel inferior for standing before a holy God. It is a legal standing. It is a spiritual law that can't be nullified.</p>

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<p>Let me explain it in a way that you can understand. Suppose it is legal for you to be able to acquire a driver’s license when you turn 18, nobody can stop you from doing that the day you turn 18. It is not even up for debate. The Law backs it up. You approach the Driver's Licensing Authority with boldness knowing you can’t be denied. It will be illegal to deny you. If they do, then the Law can’t be trusted. If the Law is not trusted, then what results is chaos and fear.</p>

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<p>So when God legally declared you righteous because you placed your faith in the faithfulness of Jesus, the validity of that legal ramifications has nothing to do with your individual performances but depends entirely on the faithfulness of Jesus. The only way for a believer to become unrighteous is if Jesus is ever found to be unfaithful or if His sacrifice for you is insufficient to satisfy the legal requirements of the Law.</p>

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<p>Since Jesus Himself said “the scriptures can’t be broken” and He is called the “Faithful and True” in Rev 19:11, it means that Jesus and all He represents and all that He has done for us will always stand sure forever. Do you see now why it is illegal to adjudge a believer unrighteous because of character flaws? I am not saying characters don’t matter. They do. Our character and behaviour prove that we are righteous. They are fruits of something deeper and more permanent and which is the root - and that is our state of righteousness.</p>

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<p>You don’t act right to become right. No, you act right because you are already right. An apple tree does not produce apples in order to become an apple tree. No, it does because it is an apple tree.</p>

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<p>When we truly believe that we are righteous by faith, it builds a sense of wholeness in us as to make us bold to face life and act right. A person with a righteousness consciousness will not live dreading the presence of God or constantly second-guessing his prayers or standing before God.</p>

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<p>Every believer stands righteous before God because Jesus assumed our guilt on the cross and by paying the death penalty due to us and demanded by God’s Law, Jesus forever silenced the Law that demanded death for our numerous infractions. God, on the basis of what Christ has done for us and as the Righteous King that He is, can’t declare the believer unrighteous. It is not possible. It goes against the character of God.</p>

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<p>If God declares a believer unrighteous, that would suggest that Christ never paid the price for our sin. This would make the work of Christ not enough or incomplete. In fact, this would mean that God Himself is working against His own plan. It will create such inconsistencies in God that His character will be impugned and His word untrusted. If God’s word can’t be trusted, then the whole universe itself will self-destruct.</p>

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<p>Now you can see why those who claim believers become unrighteous when they missed the mark or for not following the law or for not engaging in certain doctrines of men and religious activities are actually enemies of the gospel. They are preaching a message that is not the good news. They are in essence frustrating the grace of God. If our right standing before God comes through observing the law or by observing religious performances, then there is no need for Christ to have died.</p>

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<p>We become righteous because of the faithfulness of Jesus. “For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy.” Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬ ‭AMPC‬‬.</p>

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<p>A believer is FOREVER cleansed, perfected, consecrated and holy in the eyes of God. This is the good news.</p>

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<p>“I do not ignore or nullify the [gracious gift of the] grace of God [His amazing, unmerited favour], for if righteousness comes through [observing] the Law, then Christ died needlessly. [His suffering and death would have had no purpose whatsoever.]”</p>

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