What does the Bible teach about justification?

Justification according to the Bible is fundamentally an act of God's grace, as illustrated in Romans 3:24, which states, 'Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.' This implies that justification is not based on human merit or actions but is solely grounded in faith in Christ's finished work. Paul also writes in Romans 5:1, 'Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' This indicates that through faith, believers are reconciled to God and declared righteous, enabling them to inherit eternal life. It is crucial to emphasize that this justification is distinct from the notion of works and is a gift of grace, illustrating the central tenet of Reformed theology that salvation depends not on human effort but on God's mercy.