What does the Bible say about justification in Christ?

Scripture is clear that justification is a declaration by God that a sinner is righteous, and this is based solely on faith in Jesus Christ. As Paul states in Galatians 2:16, a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ. This emphasizes the heart of the gospel which declares that salvation is not by any merits or efforts of our own but solely through the finished work of Christ. Any attempt to justify oneself through works frustrates the grace of God, making the sacrifice of Christ of no effect (Galatians 2:21). Thus, our justification is fully rooted in Christ and His atoning sacrifice.