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What is the relationship between faith and justification?

Answered in 6 sources

Faith is the means by which we receive justification, but it is not the cause of justification; only Christ's righteousness justifies us.

The relationship between faith and justification is often misunderstood. While faith is essential as it is the instrument through which justification is received, it is Christ's righteousness that is the true ground of our justification. In Romans 3:22, Paul declares, 'even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.' This means that while faith is the hand that receives God's gift of righteousness, it does not produce righteousness in itself. Therefore, the pivotal truth is that Christ alone justifies us; our faith merely acknowledges and accepts what Christ has accomplished through His life, death, and resurrection. As articulated in Galatians 2:16, 'a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ,' reaffirming that faith is not a work that earns justification but the means of receiving it from God.
Scripture References: Romans 3:22, Galatians 2:16, Romans 4:5, Hebrews 11:1, Romans 3:26, Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 5:1, Romans 3:28

Sermons (6)

Justification
Todd Nibert · Jan 4, 2015
Joshua

Joshua

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