The Doctrine of Justification

Northwest Bible Church – Oct. 26, 2025 – Reformation Day – Alan Conner

Romans 5:1

The Doctrine of Justification

Intro

A. JUSTIFICATION: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

1.  LBCF 11.1 –  Those whom God effectually calleth, he also freely justifieth, not by infusing righteous-ness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ’s sake alone; .  .  . but by imputing Christ’s active obedience unto the whole law, and passive obedience in his death for their whole and sole righteousness by faith, which faith they have not of themselves; it is the gift of God.

2. A legal declaration of being righteous, not to make them righteous (sanctification).  Lk. 7:29; Deut. 25:1; Prov. 17:15

  

 

B. JUSTIFICATION: HOW DOES IT OCCUR?

1. One lives a perfectly righteous life.    Jas. 2:10; Romans 3:10

 

2. One must be given a righteousness that is perfect.   Romans 3:24; 5:17; Phil. 3:9; 2 Cor. 5:21

3. The transaction of imputation or “credited.”  Romans 4:5 

 

C. JUSTIFICATION: WHAT DOES IT GIVE?  

 

1. Forgiveness of all our sins.  Romans 4:6-8; Col. 2:13

2. Imputed righteousness of Christ.    Phil. 3:9; 2 Cor. 5:21

 

3. The Great Exchange.   Double imputation. 

D. JUSTIFICATION: WHEN DOES IT HAPPEN?

1. Accomplished at the cross.  Romans 3:24; 5:9

2. Applied at the moment of saving faith.  Romans 3:28; 5:1; Gal. 2:16

E. JUSTIFICATION: WHAT DOES IT RESULT IN?

1. Sanctification.    Jas. 2:26

2. Glorification.    Romans 8:1, 33-34, 30

Conclusion