What is justification by faith, part 1?

by Rick Brentlinger
(Pace, FL, USA)

Jesus died as us for us<br>in our place as our Substitute

Jesus died as us for us
in our place as our Substitute



Justification by faith is God's legal ruling that a sinner is not guilty, is declared innocent and now stands before God clothed in the perfect righteousness of Christ, received as a free gift, Romans 5:17, 6:23, not through any works the saved sinner did.

God's legal declaration is based on the Bible truth that Jesus has already paid for our sins and God the Father has already accepted His payment, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21. Therefore, when you repent of your sins and trust Jesus Christ, you can be saved without working to earn your salvation.

Justification by faith distinguishes Biblical Christianity from religious cults, Catholicism and everyone else who teaches salvation by faith plus something. The Bible sets the standard of justification by faith plus nothing as the only way to be saved.

1. The Need for Justification


a. "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" and are therefore unacceptable to God, Isaiah 64:6.

b. No human being is righteous, Romans 3:10.

c. The unrighteous cannot inherit God’s kingdom, 1 Corinthians 6:9

d. God will give us His righteousness as a free gift apart from works if we believe in Him, Romans 4:6

2. The Meaning of Justification


To justify means that God declares us righteous although we did no righteous works, Romans 4:6. We are still sinners but God views us as having the perfect righteousness of Christ because God freely gives us the righteousness of Christ. It is as if we had never sinned and never would.

To justify someone is the opposite of condemning them. To justify goes beyond declaring you, Not guilty. To justify someone declares that person’s innocence so that, when God justifies you, He as the Supreme Judge of the Universe, declares you innocent. Meditate on that until it grips your heart and brightens your day. NO ONE can overrule God's decision. Justify is a judicial term, explained in Deuteronomy 25:1.
“If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.”
Justification is the opposite of condemnation and condemnation is the opposite of justification, Deuteronomy 25:1; Romans 5:16-19.

To justify does not mean to make us righteous. Saved people are declared righteous by God but we are still sinners. Our standing in Christ is that we are justified, forensically declared innocent and righteous and therefore, in God’s eyes, sinless.

Our state is that we are saved sinners who although we are already spiritually seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:6, are still in the flesh until the rapture, 2 Corinthians 5:1-4.

Imputed righteousness is not based upon our good works. Imputed righteousness is based upon the perfect righteousness of Christ that He freely gives us when we get saved.

This concept is explained in Luke 7:29 where the people justified God. They did not make God right, they simply declared God to be right.

3. The Problem of Justification


a. How can God be just (holy and righteous) and at the same time justify a sinner who believes on Jesus Christ? Jesus died on the cross, shedding His blood to pay for our sins. God accepted the death of Jesus and the blood He shed as payment for our sins, Romans 3:25-26.

b. How can a holy God justify ungodly guilty sinners? Calvary provides the answer. God took our sins upon Himself (Jesus is God, John 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:8), paid for our sins with His blood thus satisfying the demands of God's justice. On that basis, when we believe on Jesus, God can freely forgive our sins because,

(1) He has already paid in full for all of them and

(2) God has already accepted Jesus' payment, which acceptance He indicated when He raised Jesus from the dead, Roman 8:11.

Our sins against God deserved the death penalty. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die,” Ezekiel 18:4, 20, Romans 6:23. Yet rather than making us pay the penalty we deserved, Jesus took our place and paid the death penalty for our sins.

God accepted the payment Jesus made for us and demonstrated His acceptance by raising Jesus from the dead, Romans 8:11, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

Salvation for us is as simple as accepting what God has already accepted, the death of Jesus as payment in full for all our sins. Jesus’ death in our place as our substitute, satisfied the justice of God. Salvation is as simple as swapping your sins for God's righteousness. He takes your sins - you take His righteousness.

Jesus as a member of the Trinitarian Godhead Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20, Colossians 2:9, paid for our sins. God the Father as a member of the Godhead, accepted Jesus’ payment.

Now God the Holy Spirit, as a member of the Godhead, applies salvation and justifies everyone including homosexuals who believe in Jesus.

Getting saved is never automatic for anyone but salvation is freely available to everyone through Jesus Christ. God commands "all men every where" to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior, Acts 17:30-31.

4. The Basis of Justification


The only basis for justification is Christ’s penal substitutionary sacrifice of Himself on the cross, dying in our place, as our substitute, bearing the penalty we deserved, Galatians 3:13. "In his own body on the tree" (the cross), Jesus bore all God's wrath against our sins, suffered all the punishment we deserved, completely paid the price for our sins so that we would not have to face God's wrath, Romans 5:9. Because Jesus died in our place, we are: "Justified by His blood... and saved from wrath" Romans 5:9, 1 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 53:4-6.

Joining a church, getting baptized, going through catechism, confessing our sins to a priest, giving up alcohol for Lent, rote prayers, religious good works, sincerity and good intentions are NOT part of getting saved or staying saved. Religion is never a substitute for Calvary. Good works are never a substitute for grace.

God poured His wrath against our sins upon Jesus. Because God punished Jesus in our place, as our substitute, we can be saved.

When we trust Jesus, we exchange the filthy rags of our sin, Isaiah 64:6, for the perfect righteousness of Christ, Philippians 3:9. God as the Judge of all the earth, Genesis 18:25, allowed Jesus to pay the death penalty we deserved.

That’s what we mean when we say Jesus died as us for us in our place, Romans 8:3-4; 2 Cor 5:21. Because Jesus already paid for our sins and God accepted His payment, the Judge of all the earth now has a legal basis on which to forgive our sins.

When we accept Jesus as our Savior, God forgives our sins and imputes (freely gives) to us the perfect righteousness of Christ. Think about that and praise God for it. Our sins are paid for and God has already accepted the payment.

When we trust Jesus, God gives us His righteousness so that our status before God is perfect and sinless. Instead of asking us to work to earn salvation, God requires only that we believe Him, Romans 4:5, 10:9-10, 13.

Jesus died in my place as my substitute. When I believe that, Jesus forgives my sins and gives me His righteousness, Isaiah 54:4-6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, which results in eternal life, Romans 6:23, as a present possession, John 3:36, 1 John 5:12.

God’s plan was to pay for our sins Himself and then, because our sins were paid for, to offer the free gift of salvation to all who will receive it, Revelation 22:17. If we could work to earn our salvation, then the death of Jesus would have been in vain, Galatians 2:21.

5. The Source of Justification


Salvation is all of God, always by grace, never by works, never by grace infused through a church. According to the next verse, is justification a free gift of God’s grace or is it something we earn by good works?

"Being justified freely by His grace," Romans 3:24. Free Gift or Earned - Circle one.

What is the wages of sin, Romans 6:23? _____

What is the gift of God? ________________

Who gives us eternal life? ______________

With what attitude should we approach God for His mercy, _______________ 1 Peter 5:5?

How does God react when we approach Him with humility, Luke 18:13-14? _________________

Aren’t you glad that Christians are not under ____ but under ______, Romans 6:14?


What is justification by faith, part 2?

What is justification by faith, Part 3

What is justification by faith, Part 4

What is justification by faith, Part 5

Is blood atonement
necessary for salvation?

Can I know for sure
I’m going to heaven?

Return to Gay Christian FAQ

Return to 101 Community

Return to
Gay Christian 101 Home Page


Comments for What is justification by faith, part 1?

Click here to add your own comments

Nov 30, 2014
 Being Gay and Christian
by: David

I do not understand why some are so judgmental. Christ said at the cross "It Is Finished", I just don't understand then why some still insist on living under the Law and judge others. We can never be justified under the Law and that is why He completely fulfilled the Law and paid the price for all of our sin.

We must first come to the cross and see how we all have fallen short and only then will we not judge others based on their shortcomings but instead fulfill His law by loving the Lord our God first and then love our neighbor and proclaim His love to others.

Why do my brothers and sisters in Christ think Homosexuality is a sin greater than any other, we are all broken in some manner or other. If you choose to think loving someone of the same sex is such a great sin think about your own sin first.

He made it simple therefore do not complicate His love by judging others because we are all broken. Share His love and grace and do not condemn. You only make yourself like a Pharisee and rob Him of His grace and glory
Mar 23, 2015
 I love this teaching!!!
by: Jonas

I love this teaching. Never heard it before. I wish the gay church I go to would teach this. Is it okay if I print copies and pass them out?

I feel secure in Jesus because I'm depending on him instead of good works that I do. What a blessing!

Rick's comment: Hi Jonas - Yes, you are welcome to print copies of our pages and pass them out. God bless you brother.
Nov 18, 2015
 What is Gay Christian?
by: Andrew

I came across this site when I'm searching for a way to tell people why not to judge ANY other sinner. But I felt puzzled when I saw d phrase "Gay Christian". Does it mean we can continue being a gay even after we have accepted Christ?

Rick's comment: Hi Andrew - Yes, that is what this website is about. On the issue of judging, I have a page which you may find helpful.

Are Christians supposed to judge?
Jun 08, 2017
 Debating Catholics
by: Christopher

What do you say when debating Catholic interpretations, such as Faith & Acts, like what is brought up in the book of James?

Rick's comment: Hi Christopher - Great question. God revealed the New Testament doctrine of justification by faith to Paul, not to James. There is no conflict between Paul's view of justification and James' view of justification, even though our Catholic friends sometimes assert there is a conflict.

Notice that Paul in Rom 2:13 and James in James 1:22, 2:14 are not in conflict. Paul writes to a Gentile church in Rome yet also addresses himself to unsaved people, Rom 2:12, including unsaved Jews, Acts 28:17ff. James writes to the twelve tribes of Israel, a group which contains saved Jews, James 2:1.

Paul references Abraham in Genesis chapter 15 and James references Abraham in Genesis chapter 22. The events in those chapters are separated by 30 or more years of time. James and Paul are not referring to the same chapter or the same events, therefore they do not contradict each other.

Paul writes about the law and justification by faith from a doctrinal viewpoint. James writes about the law and justification from a practical viewpoint. When Paul speaks of justification, he refers doctrinally to the imputation of Christ’s righteousness.

When James speaks of justification, he refers to a practical demonstration of Christ’s righteousness lived out in the life of a believer, not the imputation of righteousness.

In Romans 2, Paul is saying the ground is level at the foot of the cross; everyone is equal at Calvary, Romans 2:11, because there is no respect of persons with God.

In James 2, James is rebuking saved Jews for their partiality toward rich folks. He speaks about practical justification, not doctrinal justification. James tells them to be like God in the way they relate to others and stop having respect of persons, Rom 2:11.

In Romans 2, Gentiles and Jews have sinned against their conscience and are therefore guilty. In James 2, Jews have sinned against the law and are therefore guilty.

The context of James isn’t an unsaved Jew trying to get saved by keeping the law. The context of James is a saved Jew who is reading the OT and trying to live up to what the OT tells him, in plainer words, practical justification, not salvation by works and not salvation by keeping the law.

I hope this is helpful Christopher.
Jun 06, 2018
 If Gay Christians, Then Murderer Christians
by: Tive Martins

The argument for Gay Christians and the need not to judge is an teaching that has not basis in scriptures. If we say because Jesus said "It is Finished" on the cross to support the sin of homosexuality we should also condone Christian Murderers. We should also raise a Church for murderers who are still committing murder but believe in Christ.

Rick's comment: Hi Tive - Did you read the article on Justification by Faith? It is odd that you make up arguments no one on this website uses and then try to answer the arguments you made up.

Homosexuality is truly a sin like any other but after receiving Christ you must stop any form of sin. Being in a homosexual relationship after accepting Christ is a negation of Christ's love. It is a huge contradiction and Romans 6:1-2 has the following to say.

Rick's comment: No Christian on earth has ever stopped committing sin and struggling with sin. That's what justification by faith is all about.

When Jesus died on the cross, God imputed to Him all our sins so that, when you trust Jesus, God can impute the righteousness of Christ to you. Everyone who is saved has the righteousness of Christ right now.

1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Rick's comment: Romans 6 explains how to live for Jesus after you get saved. It is a great chapter in the Bible that every Christian should learn and obey.

But you don't get to chose your own facts, like saying "Homosexuality is truly a sin." The Bible doesn't say that and neither should you.

If you're quoting one of the new age Bible versions, which stick the word, homosexual or, men who have sex with men, into the Bible, you should be aware that the Old Testament in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek never use a word that means homosexual.
Aug 31, 2018
 Praying for HIS Truth
by: JAY

My Dear Brother-In-Christ!

No matter what we do, we live in a fallen world and we will struggle. However, if I am understating your comments correctly, I must say we cannot blatantly sin and then say Jesus has taken on our sins so that settles it.

Rick's comment: Hi JAY - I have never made that argument.

You are absolutely right. We are justified by Faith & Yes, GOD is LOVE, however the scriptures clearly speak out about our responsibility to be our brother's keeper AND the obligation to speak the truth-in-love!

Please accept my comments in the spirit love. No judgment, just the WORD we both love & believe!

1. You are right we are no longer governed by the Law since Jesus died for our sins. However, Jesus himself said He was a fulfillment of the law. The law is not defunct, it's basis and completion lie in Christ. Hence, holiness is STILL a requirement of GODly living.

Rick's comment: On whether or not the Old Testament law is still in force or defunct for Christians, the New Testament is very clear that Christians are not under OT Jewish Law or the law of Moses. Here is what God says in the Bible.

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:14.

Christians are "dead to the law." Romans 7:4.

"If ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law" Galatians 5:18.

Christians are "delivered from the law." Romans 7:6.

"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster " [the law]. Galatians 3:24-25.

For Christians, the Law is "that which is done away." 2 Corinthians 3:11.

For Christians, the Law is "that which is abolished." 2 Corinthians 3:13.

For Christians, Jesus, dying on the Cross, was "blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us." Colossians 2:14.

For Christians, the Law is taken "out of the way" and nailed "to his cross." Colossians 2:14.

"When God speaks of a new [covenant or agreement], He makes the first one obsolete (out of use). And what is obsolete (out of use and annulled because of age) is ripe for disappearance and to be dispensed with altogether." Hebrews 8:13, The Amplified Version

"And after that he said, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. Thus he put an end to the first in order to establish the second." Hebrews 10:9, Lamsa Translation

2. The New Testament speaks out against many sins that we are to move away from.

1 Cor. 6: 9-11 - Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Rick's comment: I don’t have space here to cover this topic but I do have page after page explaining 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 on this website. The bottom line is, these verses are not addressing whether it's sinful to be gay or lesbian. Please check the NavBar for helpful info.

Please note the list of sins are not limited to ethical infractions. We all have the potential to, or have, committed these sins.

Is there another term for "men who have sex with men" other than homosexuality?

Rick's comment: Yes, as a matter of fact, the men who have sex with men that Paul is referring to were cult or shrine or temple prostitutes, not gay men.

Why would the scripture says 'you were washed'-repentance, changing one's lifestyle. No, it doesn't mean we are sinless, but I cannot continue in a gay lifestyle if I claim I have surrendered my life to GOD!

Rick's comment: Many shrine prostitutes were getting saved in ancient Corinth. Although saved, they continued to struggle with sexual sins from their old life so Paul points out to them that the sins they are committing were part of their old life, before they got saved.

Paul encourages them that "such were some of you but you are washed, sanctified, justified."

In Christ, you are no longer a shrine prostitute or any of the other sins listed. When you get saved, your identity is that you are IN CHRIST. Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

So, Paul is saying, Live in the reality of your new life in Christ. Don’t live like an unsaved man.

A few other scriptures speaking on holiness:
1 Pet. 14-16
1 Joh. 3: 6-10
2 Cor. 7:1
Heb 12: 14

Again, no judgment, just love... we are both working on our soul's salvation. GOD bless you!

Rick's comment: No JAY, none of us is working on our soul’s salvation. We are saved or we are unsaved. Getting saved is all about justification by faith alone and trusting Jesus and His finished work on the cross as our only hope of heaven. None of our human works is involved in us getting saved or staying saved.

Either we have received the gift of righteousness, Romans 5:17 or we haven’t.

Either we have received the gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord or we have not.

Born again Christians trust by grace alone through faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ alone and because of that, we know for sure that we are saved, Ephesians 2:8-10.
Oct 12, 2018
 wilful sin
by: Chukwuma Ogbonnaya.

If one may continue in sin either as a gay, etc after being saved, then, is Hebrews 10:26-27 referring to those under grace or under the law?

Rick's comment: Hi Chukwuma - People who are saved have all their sins forgiven. That means ALL sins (trespasses) - past, present and future - are forgiven when you get saved, Colossians 2:13.

In Romans 6, Paul answers the question: Is it okay to continue in sin so that God's grace abounds? His answer is: God forbid.

Romans 6, 7 and 8 explain how to live for the Lord in spite of being in "the body of this flesh."

The basic outline is:

1. KNOW - Know that you are dead to sin.
2. RECKON - Reckon yourselves to be dead to sin AND alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
3. YIELD - a. Stop yielding yourself to sin and b. start yielding yourself to the Lord Jesus.

Doing that is a moment by moment, day by day way to live for Jesus and have victory over sin.

Hebrews 10 is referring to people living in the dispensation of the grace of God.
Nov 06, 2019
 Gay and justification by faith
by: Michael

Hi I agree that when we are saved we are justified it doesn't means that we should still continue in sin.I am sorry to say gay is a sin. Read the book of leviticus18:6 for better understanding let it be revised standard version.God destroy sodom and Gomorrah because of this sin . If we say justification by faith then God should forgive them then.

Rick's comment: Hi Michael- I have my verse by verse commentary on Romans available FREE, on this website. I hope you will use it to learn about justification by faith.

FREE Romans commentary.

Here are my comments which explain Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13. I hope you find them helpful.

Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 - Shrine Prostitutes.

Here is what the Sodom story was all about.

What about Sodom?
Nov 06, 2019
 Sodom and Gomorrah
by: Michael

I don't understand the teaching on Sodom and Gomorrah. All I know is that when the lord God send his angels unto lot the people came into the house and said that they want to have sex with the men who they didn't know that they were angels.

Lot said to them that he has two virgin daughters. But they didn't listen, you know the rest of the story.

Rick's comment: Hi Michael - Did you read the page below, slowly and carefully? Did you click on the links in the page below and read that information?

What about Sodom?

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Sermons.
Enjoy this page? Get the html to share it with others.

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.
Site Build It! Site Build It!