“Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies” Romans 8:33
Original Language
Heb. Tsadaq – to be just, righteous (BDB)
Heb. Zakah – to be clean, clear, pure (BDB); to be translucent, figuratively to be innocent (Strong)
Gr. Dikaiosis – acquittal (Strong); the act of God declaring men free from guilt and acceptable to him (Thayer) as used in Romans 4:25; 5:18
Gr. Dikaioo – To render just or innocent (Strong)
Gr. Dikaioma – an equitable deed or decision (Strong); a righteous act or deed (Romans 5:18 – “act of righteousness”)
Affirmations about how God uses the word
A judgment made by God approving a person as innocent and just placing him in a state of righteousness. God alone has authority to do this as the One Lawgiver and Judge. Man is justified by his faith in God, not on the basis of deeds done in the flesh. Justification deals with the penalty of sin not the problem of sin.
As Used in the Old Covenant Scriptures
“Can mankind be just before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?” Job 4:17
JUSTIFICATION AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
In the judicial system the judge will “justify the righteous and condemn the wicked” (Deuteronomy 25:1). It is an abomination to do otherwise as Proverbs 17:15 says, “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.” And Isaiah writes woe to those “who justify the wicked for a bribe and take away the rights of the ones who are in the right” (Isaiah 5:23). God, as Judge, justifies the righteous and condemns the wicked for He alone can make such judgments and His judgments are always right.
Righteous Judgments. During the dedication of the temple, Solomon mentions men taking oaths before God in the temple saying, “If a man sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath, and he comes and takes an oath before Your altar in this house, then hear in heaven and act and judge Your servants, condemning the wicked by bringing his way on his own head and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness” (1 Kings 8:31-32; 2 Chronicles 6:22-23). “Justifying the righteous” here involved payment for his being in the right. While this is a description of a judgment made in a human relationship, our text will go on to address Israel’s relationship to God. “When Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy, because they have sinned against You, if they turn to You again and confess Your name and pray and make supplication to You in this house, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them back to the land which You gave to their fathers” (1 Kings 8:33-34). We see that God is the One who could justify the righteous in both the human relationship and the Divine relationship. He is able to see and hear from heaven and make such judgments. In order to declare someone to be righteous, the Judge must be righteous. We also learn some things about the justified. In the latter case we see the unrighteous being justified IF they turn to God, confess His name and pray in the temple seeking forgiveness. Justification involves forgiveness of any and all sin. It is not appropriated by passive means and especially not by indifferent people. It was available to those who needed it, desired it and sought it. But keep in mind that it was God who was the Judge.
MAN CANNOT JUSTIFY HIMSELF – ONLY THE JUDGE CAN ACQUIT
It is man’s way to stand before many witnesses and give a defense for why he is not guilty. But at the judgment bar of Christ, no man will do this. God alone justifies. God is “just and the justifier” (Romans 3:26). No man will be able to acquit himself or eloquently give a defense for why he is righteous before God.
Job. Job tried to do this very thing. He supposed as though he was being punished for righteous living. His first three friends believed that he was being punished for some secret sin in his life, so Job lists the many areas where he is blameless and righteous. Job then reasons from his distress that if he lives a righteous life and is “punished” why not just go ahead and live a sinful life? Job’s friends had no answer for him “because he was righteous in his own eyes” (Job 32:1). A young man named Elihu is furious because Job “justified himself before God” (Job 32:2). Job was trying to acquit himself and declare himself righteous before God. Even with the intension to justify Job (33:32), Elihu is compelled to sharply rebuke him. He does not list many things that Job may have done wrong to deserve this affliction but rather contends for the righteousness of God in His judgments. By Job trying to justify himself he had taken himself off trial and put God on trial. Elihu says,
“Do you think this is according to justice? Do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s’? For you say, ‘What advantage will it be to You? What profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’ I will answer you, and your friends with you. Look at the heavens and see; and behold the clouds – they are higher than you. If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against Him? And if your transgressions are many, what do you do to Him? If you are righteous, what do you give Him, or what does He receive from your hand? Your wickedness if for a man like yourself, and your righteousness is for a son of man.” Job 35:2-8
The Lord Himself storms at Job saying, “Now gird up your loins like a man; I will ask you, and you instruct Me. Will you really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me that you may be justified?” (Job 40:7-8) The Lord goes on to declare His mighty power and understanding. Job finally replies,
“2I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. 3‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ 5I have heard of You be the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; 6therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:2-6
Job was “blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil” (1:1) but could not justify himself. God alone will justify because He alone is God. When Job finally confessed and retracted to his appropriate place of humility before God, THEN “the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold” (42:10). In justification we see God as the all-powerful, all-mighty, all-knowing, righteous Judge and we see man as finite, low, weak, subject, and wanting. So man bows before God seeking to be justified.
Joseph. After Jacob’s sons are found to have stolen the cup from Joseph, Judah says “How can we justify ourselves” (Genesis 44:16). Even though Joseph planted the cup in Benjamin’s bag, we see the brothers in a state of unrighteousness and needing to be justified. Falling to the ground before Joseph they say, “What can we say to my lord? What can we speak? And how can we justify ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; behold, we are my lord’s slaves, both we and the one in whose possession the cup has been found.” The only way they could be justified is if Joseph, the judge in this case, justified them. They were at his disposal. As a type of Christ, Joseph shows them kindness, approving and forgiving them.
“15When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, ‘What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!’ 16So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, ‘Your father charged before he died, saying, 17“Thus you shall say to Joseph, ‘Please forgive, I beg you, the transgression of your brothers and their sin, for they did you wrong.' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, ‘Behold, we are your servants.’ 19But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? 20As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. 21So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” Genesis 50:15-21
A CHANGE OF STATE. THE UNRIGHTEOUS MADE RIGHTEOUS – THE GUILTY MADE INNOCENT
So how is it that the unrighteous can be justified before God? Forgiveness. Pardon. Mercy. God’s judgment. If God judges a man to be righteous – he is – regardless of how God does it. In the words of the Savior “if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Justification is being made righteous or declared righteous. In fact justification and righteousness come from the same root word TSEDEK (Heb) and DIKAIOS (Gr). Being righteous is being right in the eyes of God – blameless and in a state of unblemished character. Justification is the means by which we become righteous – the process in which we are made righteous. Righteous is the “what” while justification is the “how.” We are not talking about being made to do right things. We are talking about being made to stand in the condition. Sin made us guilty and to stand in condemnation. Justification makes us righteous and to stand in commendation. Make know mistake about it, man must be righteous to live with God and man must be justified to be righteous. Therefore, in justification, an unrighteous man is made righteous and the guilty made innocent.
Righteousness in faith. Sin or unrighteousness places man in the path of condemnation and judgment. In order for him to be able to stand before our Righteous God he must be made righteous. God alone has the ability to “save and to destroy.” Therefore, men seek His face and His grace. David after his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah pleads with God confessing, “You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge” (Psalm 51:4). David sinned and deserved judgment but pleaded for pardon.
“1Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge.” Psalm 51:1-4
“1How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! 2How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit! 3When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. 5I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’; and You forgave the guilt of my sin. 6Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found” Psalm 32:1-6a
Instead of God imputing (taking into account) sin, He will impute righteousness. This is the product of faith in Him and this is the doctrine of justification – made righteous on account of our faith. God is righteous even in His blotting out of transgression. He is righteous in His acquittal of the unrighteous. How? Because righteousness is not on the basis of good deeds but on the basis of faith in God! As it is written, “Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). True, God will justify the righteous. But the righteous are those who live by faith. “Behold, as for the proud one, his soul is not right within him; but the righteous will live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4).
A DAY COMING WHEN THE LORD WILL JUSTIFY MANY
Isaiah 64:6 says, “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” How can people like this be justified? Even their righteous deeds are like a filthy garment. This is a description of every man who stands before the holiness and righteousness of God Almighty. And yet God speaks of the coming day when men just like this will be justified. Of the stubborn and obstinate people it is written, “In the Lord all the offspring of Israel will be justified and will glory” (Isaiah 45:25). Even those who have committed iniquity can be acquitted before Him. “All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him” (Isaiah 53:6). The wrath and curse to be poured out because of sin hit Jesus head on at Calvary. “As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities.” God made the Righteous One to be sin that we would be justified (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21).
As Used in the Time of Christ
A CHANGE IN FOCUS
In the gospels we will begin to see men, particularly Jewish leaders, making an attempt to prove themselves to be righteous. For all intents and purposes they will effectually accomplish this in the sight of men but will be condemned by Him who knows the hearts of all men. They laboriously searched the Law thinking that in it they had life. They sought to be justified before God by rigorously obeying the Law and even elaborating on it where it suited them. Outwardly, they appeared to be religious supermen. Even so Jesus says, “unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). But later He will reveal the true content of these men who seek to be righteous by doing good works and adhering to a moral code. Jesus spoke directly to these leaders saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Matthew 24:27-28). As we approach the New Covenant we see Jesus taking the emphasis from outward religious duties to faith and transformed hearts. Works of the law could neither justify a man nor change his heart but the cross could do both.
The condition of the heart. Jesus taught that we would know the kind of person by their speech in the same way that you can tell what kind of tree it is by the fruit it produces. He goes on to say that out of the heart the mouth speaks and therefore if someone has a bad heart they will speak evil things and if someone has a good heart they will speak good things. “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). Jesus then said “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Here we see that justification and condemnation will have to do with the words we have spoken and by implication the kind of heart we have. It is noteworthy that once again we see justification having to do with law and judgment.
Obeying the Law. We also see a lawyer stand up to test Jesus saying “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asks what the law teaches and the lawyer quotes it saying “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” “But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, ‘and who is my neighbor?’” (Luke 10:29) This man wanted to be justified by his good deeds and may have even thought he was good enough. He wanted to acquit himself or defend his innocence before the Son of God. But no one will justify himself.
In both cases we see Jesus shifting the thinking of men from outward ordinances and rituals to looking inward at the heart of a man.
SELF JUSTIFICATION REBUKED
“And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God’” (Luke 16:15). From the outward appearance the Scribes and Pharisees were the most righteous in the entire nation but on the inside they were rotten. This was the problem with righteousness based on law. They were able to abstain from visible sins and even teach the law but they had little or no affection toward God and His people. They had the appearance of being alive but were dead. They held to a form of godliness but denied its power. They would pray loud, eloquent and lengthy prayers to be heard by men. They would make a racket when they gave offerings of coins. They did everything to be seen and heard by men, but God knew their hearts. They were proud in their own minds and looked down on every man who wasn’t like them. Jesus told a parable about “people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and view others with contempt:”
"10Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: 'God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12'I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' 13But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!'” Luke 18:10-13
Jesus finishes the parable with these words, “I tell you this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). No man will justify himself before God. All the world stands condemned in His sight and in need of being justified by Him and Him alone. In other words our righteousnesses will not get the job done, we need a righteousness from God. Praise God, that is exactly what we get in Christ Jesus!
As Used in the New Covenant Scriptures
While justification was scarcely mentioned in the Old Covenant Scriptures it is now being boldly proclaimed with unparalleled clarity. The conclusions that we have drawn from Old Covenant uses are now going to be plainly mapped out in Christ. There is no ambiguity whatsoever concerning justification by faith in Jesus. There was no other way nor has their ever been; justification is by faith.
A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD – ALL THE WORLD CONDEMNED
Jewish leaders often viewed salvation as a given simply because they were Jews. They viewed salvation be flesh not faith and by race not grace. But it is now categorically stated that “there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11). The Jews were quick to condemn the Gentiles because the Gentiles didn’t have the Law of God from Mount Sinai. Romans chapters 1-3 clearly point out that whether a Jew under the Law or a Gentile not under the Law, every man has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. It makes no difference whether you were a Jew with the benefits of the covenants, circumcision and the Law. Paul explains that “it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified” (Romans 2:13). The Jew would argue that Abraham was their father and they had the covenant of circumcision, to which Paul states, “he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God” (Romans 2:29). Paul, inspired by the Spirit, then goes on to condemn all men under sin saying, “there is none righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). No arguments to this statement are permitted for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and “let God be found true though every man a liar” (Romans 3:4; cf. Psalm 51). This places every man in need of justification and a righteousness from God. This is offered in Christ Jesus.
JUSTIFIED BY…
There are several things in the New Covenant Scriptures that are associated with our justification. After a perusal of them you will quickly conclude that man does not justify himself but God is the One who justifies. Also you will see that justification is made available in Christ. Consider a few texts: Romans 5:9 says we have been “justified by His blood.” 1 Corinthians 6:11 says we were “justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” Titus 3:7 says we have been “justified by His grace.” Romans 5:1 says we have been “justified by faith.” Galatians 2:16 says that a man is “not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus” and verse 17 says that we seek to be “justified in Christ.” James 2:24 says that a man is “justified by works and not by faith alone.”
JUSTIFICATION THROUGH JESUS
Justification or being made righteous is placed not in many acts of many men but in a single act and a single man – Jesus the Christ. Because we are guilty before God because of sin, the only way for acquittal to be possible is through payment of the debt of sin. This payment was the blood of Jesus. His death is the sacrifice on our behalf and the propitiation for our sins. Through His death, burial, resurrection and our faith in it, we will be justified. Everything that came in through Adam and sin is expiated in Christ. Consider the results of one sinful act and one righteous act:
“15But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 16The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. 17For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:15-21
Through Adam came sin, death, judgment and condemnation. Through Christ came grace, righteousness, life and justification. Justification then is by His blood, His name, His work and our faith. Salvation is designed this way so that there is no boasting but only in the cross of Christ.
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH AND GRACE NOT LAW AND WORKS
We must be justified to stand before God; to be in heaven. Our justification is not going to be realized through any amount of “good works.” We need to be righteous and we need God’s righteousness. This is exactly what is offered through the gospel.
“19Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; 20because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. 21But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; 26for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:19-26
Now who wants to “lay down the law.” Many in our day want to define the steps and procedures and disciplines that a man must do to inherit eternal life. While there are things to be done, the primary “work” is believing in Jesus. “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent’” (John 6:29). No amount or quality of works before, during or after conversion will justify a man but “faith in the working of God” is a must (Colossians 2:12). In fact, “you have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:4).
Law and Promise. When we say law we mean any law not just the Mosiac Law or Ten Commandments. No man will be justified by upholding any law or any moral code of “do’s and don’ts.” Law is inferior to grace because law keeping is impossible without faith and faith is in a promise. Therefore, law may produce works but will not produce the faith that justifies a man. The promise of God, however, will produce faith and faith will produce works. This is why the preaching of the gospel of grace is far superior to the promoting of a set of rules or laws. The Law is holy, righteous, and good but is also a ministration of death and condemnation. Law is like the tutor that takes children to school. “Therefore, the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:24-26). Now those in Christ are heirs according to promise, not according to law. For the promise is given to those who believe in Jesus (v. 22).
Approved by God. Faith makes us approved by God. It is quite a consideration that man can be approved by God. This is what it means to be justified – to be approved or judged innocent by God. Listen to how the Holy Spirit speaks on this matter, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval” (Hebrews 11:1-2). The chapter then goes on to mention many faithful men and women of the Old Covenant days and concludes saying, “And all these, having gained approval through their faith…” (v. 32). To be justified is to gain Divine approval. This happens through our faith.
The example of Abraham. Abraham is the premier example of justification by faith. Genesis 15:6 says, “Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.” Romans 4 quotes this verse then states, “Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead” (Romans 4:23-24). So it is for our benefit that it is written that Abraham was justified or considered righteous because of his faith not works. If Abraham were justified because of his works it would have been given not as a favor or by grace but as a wage due. But in order that God could bless Abraham and his descendants on the basis of a promise, justification and being made an heir of the promise is based on faith in God. Because this blessing is a promise and not a wage, it is appropriated by faith and not works. Therefore it is in accordance with grace and not law. “For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all” (Romans 4:16). This is the gospel! The promise of blessing and inheritance to those who believe God:
“7Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘All the nations will be blessed in You.’ 9So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.” Galatians 3:7-9
Thus the gospel is “good news” for no one could utterly obey the Law save Jesus. Yet, we who are of faith will be justified just as Abraham was. “Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for ‘The righteous man shall live by faith’” (Galatians 3:11). No amount of doing good can justify a man before God, therefore, no man will justify himself or give an account of his own merit and innocence. Does this mean that man must not do anything, lest he jeopardize attempting to be justified by works? Of course not. But we work because we have faith. In fact our faith is evidenced by our works. James will explain that if a man has no works it is because he has no faith – regardless of what he may say.
“21Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God. 24You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” James 2:21-24
These are not contradictory texts but rather complimentary texts. Paul says that we are justified by faith. James says that we are justified by works. Simply put, we are justified by faith that works. If faith isn’t present, neither is justification or works. If works aren’t present, neither is faith and therefore justification isn’t either. But where faith is, works will follow and justification is the result.
THE JUDGEMENT OF GOD IS ALL THAT MATTERS
It really makes no difference if man tries to justify himself or other men – the only thing that matters is if God justifies us. When we stand before God are we going to be approved or rejected? Innocent of guilty? In or out? Saved or lost? Forever. Those who live by faith will be justified. Not because of what they did but because of who they believe and trust in. If God justifies a man, that is the end of the matter. Jesus said, “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:37). Paul said, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
“29For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. 31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 34who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:29-39
When the Righteous Judge slams down the gavel nothing else matters. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).