Imputation and Justification

In yesterday's sermon, I introduced two important terms related to the righteousness of Noah as well as to our own: imputation and justification.

Imputation refers to crediting a believing sinner with God's righteousness. According to the Scriptures, righteousness is imputed to believers through faith. For example, Genesis 15:6 tells us: "Abraham believed God, and he credited to him as righteousness."

Justification refers to God's declaration that a believing sinner is righteous. Romans 5:1 says: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...."

Elsewhere the Bible explains in more detail where the righteousness came from that has been imputed to us through faith. It came from Jesus himself. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says: "God made him [meaning, Jesus] who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

So, in summary, God credits us with the righteousness of Christ himself through our faith in Jesus. Then, on that basis of that righteousness (not on the basis of our own) God justifies or declares us righteous. His declaration should be understood as more than just a passing observation. It is his forensic judgment, indicating that there is no longer any enmity between him and us. That's why Romans 5:1 also says consequently: "we have peace with God".

Let me encourage you to memorize these two important theological terms, imputation and justification, and their meanings. Then, as you meditate on them and their application to your life through your faith in Jesus, consider also doing the following:

1. Rejoice because of the righteousness and therefore the standing God has given you in Christ (see Romans 5:2ff).
2. Become an ambassador for the opportunity that others still have to also be reconciled to God (see 2 Corinthians 5:20).