Justification is integral to salvation. It literally means being made straight—perfectly lined up (with God). We are initially justified or aligned with God on repentance, baptism and faith in Christ’s shed blood for atonement. We are forgiven of sin and reckoned by God as righteous. This is referred to by Paul as “imputed” righteousness (See Romans 4:20-25).
However, justification—being legally declared free from guilt—does not instantly make one perfectly righteous. The faith required to be justified must be confirmed in one’s actions. To remain justified after being forgiven, one must behave in a righteous or just manner from that time forward. Paul makes it very clear that growth in godly righteousness is a process. That process starts with baptism, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). But attaining the mature righteousness of Jesus Christ is a goal toward which we must continue to strive. It is not bequeathed to us instantaneously, but comes through a spiritual growth process as we learn from the Scriptures.
James’ words confirm that, once forgiven of our sins, continuing in righteous living is necessary, with God’s help through His Holy Spirit: “…. work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). Only through Christ living within us through the Holy Spirit can we succeed in obedience and remain justified (compare Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:1-11).
Once forgiven, our status in God’s eyes is that of a “just” or “righteous” person, but we must continue to obey God and build character. We are expected to learn and grow towards “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”(Ephesians 4:13).
