Justification by faith is a central doctrine in Christian theology. It speaks to how God deals with sinful humanity, making them fit for His presence.

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, declares: "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." (Romans 3:28 ESV). This statement emphasizes that our works cannot earn our justification before God. Instead, God provides another way a way that allows Him to be both just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus.

Faith is instrumental in the process of justification. However, it is not something we generate on our own. Rather, it is a gift from God. Faith means trusting and believing God's testimony in Scripture about Jesus, His sinless life, and His sacrificial death for our redemption.

At the moment of justification, God legally transfers our unrighteousness to Christ and imputes the righteousness of Christ to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus' perfect obedience under the law becomes our righteousness.

Justification involves both belief and trust. We believe God's promise of salvation through Jesus, and we trust Christ to wipe out our guilt and provide the righteousness needed to stand before the Father.

As believers, we have been justified. God no longer regards us as guilty sinners but as His spotless, perfect children. This process reveals the wonders of God's love, grace, and mercy. We live by faith, trusting in the finished work of Christ.

"The just shall live [be saved] by faith." by Faith Justified

Augsburg Confession

Article IV. Of Justification.

1 Also they teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for 2 Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins. 3 This faith God imputes for righteousness in His sight. Rom. 3 and 4.

Thirty-Nine Articles

Article 11: Of the Justification of Man: We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by Faith only, is a most wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification. 

Westminster Confession of Faith

Chapter 11: Of Justification, Section 1: Those whom God effectually calls, he also freely justifies; not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them, they receiving and resting on Him and his righteousness by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God.

Chapter 11: Of Justification, Section 2: Faith, thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness, is the alone instrument of justification: yet is it not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love.

Chapter 11: Of Justification, Section 3: Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that are thus justified, and did make a proper, real and full satisfaction to his Father's justice in their behalf. Yet, in as much as he was given by the Father for them; and his obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead; and both, freely, not for any thing in them; their justification is only of free grace; that both the exact justice, and rich grace of God might be glorified in the justification of sinners.

Belgic Confession

Article 23: The Justification of Sinners: We believe that our blessedness lies in the forgiveness of our sins because of Jesus Christ, and that in it our righteousness before God is contained, as David and Paul teach us when they declare those people blessed to whom God grants righteousness apart from works. And the same apostle says that we are “justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” And therefore we cling to this foundation, which is firm forever, giving all glory to God, humbling ourselves, and recognizing ourselves as we are; not claiming a thing for ourselves or our merits and leaning and resting on the sole obedience of Christ crucified, which is ours when we believe in him. That is enough to cover all our sins and to make us confident, freeing the conscience from the fear, dread, and terror of God's approach, without doing what our first parents, Adam and Eve, did, who trembled as they tried to cover themselves with fig leaves. In fact, if we had to appear before God relying—no matter how little—on ourselves or some other creature, then, alas, we would be swallowed up. Therefore everyone must say with David: “Lord, do not enter into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.”

1689 Baptist Confession

Chapter 11: Of Justification, Section 1: Those whom God Effectually calls, he also freely justifies, not by infusing Righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting, and accepting their Persons as Righteous; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone, not by imputing faith it self, the act of beleiving, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their Righteousness; but by imputing Christs 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.

Chapter 11: Of Justification, Section 2: Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ, and his Righteousness, is the alone instrument of Justification; yet it is not alone in the person justified, but is ever accompanied with all other saving Graces, and is no dead faith, but works by love.

Second Helvetic Confession

Chapter 15: Of the True Justification of the Faithful, Section 1: WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION?: According to the apostle in his treatment of justification, to justify means to remit sins, to absolve from guilt and punishment, to receive into favor, and to pronounce a man just. For in his epistle to the Romans the apostle says: "It is God who justifies; who is to condemn?" (Rom. 8:33). To justify and to condemn are opposed. And in The Acts of the Apostles the apostle states: "Through Christ forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone that believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38 f.). For in the Law and also in the Prophets we read: "If there is a dispute between men, and they come into court...the judges decide between them, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty" (Deut. 25:1). And in Isa., ch. 5: "Woe to those...who aqcuit the guilty for a bribe."

Chapter 15: Of the True Justification of the Faithful, Section 2: WE ARE JUSTIFIED ON ACCOUNT OF CHRIST: Now it is most certain that all of us are by nature sinners and godless, and before God's judgment-seat are convicted of godlessness and are guilty of death, but that, solely by the grace of Christ and not from any merit of ours or consideration for us, we are justified, that is, absolved from sin and death by God the Judge. For what is clearer than what Paul said: "Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:23 f.).