Bible Key Words and Meanings A-Z Series: "Justified"

Sit down with an open King James Bible and follow along as Brother Scott Evans teaches on the Biblical term, justified. It may surprise you to find out being forgiven does not mean being justified. 

I hope you enjoyed this episode of Brother Scott's Look in the Book, and most of all, I pray you learned from it and that it helped you dive deeper into God's word, which he places above his very name.
(Psalm 138:2 KJV) (2) I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

God gives us instruction on how to study our Bibles:
(2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) (15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Please do not only go by what I say, but do the work and study for yourself.
"Anything I can talk you into, someone else can talk you out of."
- Trey Searcy of Truth Time Radio

Become so familiar with the truth in God's word, that when a counterfeit Bible or preacher comes along, you will immediately recognize it. That is how you fool-proof yourself.

Link to my YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@BrotherScottsLookintheBook/

Link to Truth Time Radio's WTTR 24x7 broadcast:
TRUTHTIMERADIO (securenetsystems.net)

Transcript

Hi! This is Brother Scott with another, Truth Time Look in the Book! 
Today is part 26 in my series, Bible Key Words and Meanings A-Z.
All references are from the King James Bible.
I will be referencing quite a few verses, so perhaps take some notes as you listen. 
We continue with the letter, J. 
The word today is, "Justified."

To be forgiven is to be justified.
To be justified is to be forgiven. 
You cannot be forgiven without being justified.

Did you catch it? If you are paying attention, you will be jumping out of your chair right now and yelling at the WTTR app, "WAIT, WHAT? THAT's NOT TRUE!" 

Well, I will demonstrate in this lesson why that statement, which has been quoted by at least one pastor we know of, is not true.  

OK, the fact is, you were forgiven of your sins before you were born. 
(Romans 4:7) Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
(2 Corinthians 5:19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
And (Ephesians 1:7) In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Your sins were forgiven at the cross, so, does that mean you were justified at the cross?
Well, let's see about that, shall we?
Is it possible for a guilty person to be justified?
No, it is not.
Does a forgiven person remain a guilty person?
Yes they do, because forgiveness does not clear the guilty.
Let me repeat that: forgiveness does not clear the guilty.
Sin can be forgiven, but sin can never be justified.
For example, if someone committed a crime against you and you told the court you forgave that person, would the court let that person go free because you forgave them?
Of course not.
If that person were found guilty in court, they would be sentenced for their crime regardless of the fact that you forgave them.
So, again, forgiveness does not clear the guilty, which means forgiveness and justification are not the same thing, because the justified ARE declared not guilty.
Hopefully you are starting to understand this, but if not, let's see if we can clear it up.
(Numbers 14:18) The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, 
(Exo 34:7) Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; 

OK, I believe we have nailed down the fact that forgiveness does not clear the guilty.
So, then, what does it mean to be justified and how is justification obtained?
Moses told Israel righteousness came about by doing.
Doing what?
(Deuteronomy 6:25) And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.

According to God, only the righteous will be justified. 
A person must be judged as righteous before being declared justified. 
So, again, only the righteous are counted as justified. 
There is no person in Scripture who is righteous and therefore justified and at the same time in need of forgiveness.
(Deuteronomy 25:1) If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
Also, make note of these verses if you would: (1 Kings 8:32), 
(2 Chronicles 6:23), (1 Kings 8:32), (Proverbs 11:6), (Proverbs 13:6), and (Job 1:1). 
So, all of those verses inform us, in time past, Israel's righteousness was obtained by faith. 
Their faith was demonstrated by their obedience to do the works of the flesh that were required of them. 
No obedience, no righteousness.
Simple as that in time past. 

OK, by this time you may be thinking, "That's all well and good, brother Scott, but what does that have to do with me and my justification today?"
Well, that's a great question!
OK, check this out.
Like Israel, our righteousness is obtained by faith followed by our obedience as well.
But, the difference being, it's not our obedience to all of the Lord's commandments, instead, it's our obedience to the gospel that saves today by faith during this dispensation of grace.
(Romans 3:24) Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
(Romans 3:28) Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Question: Was Jesus delivered for our justification?
Well, the first half of Romans 4:25 tells us, no:
We read: Who was delivered for our offences,
Again, that is the first half of Romans 4:25. 

However, the second half of Romans 4:25 informs us:
and was raised again for our justification.

So, delivered for our offences, not for our justification. 
We could not be justified until Jesus rose from the dead and we believe and trust in his death for the redemption of our sins, then taking our sins to the tomb, and leaving them there when he rose again. 

Instead of obedience to works of the flesh that was required of Israel, today, justification is obtained by obedience from the heart in believing and trusting in the gospel of Christ taught by our Apostle Paul. 
(Romans 6:17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Works for righteousness has always been required for justification, but in this dispensation of grace, it is not OUR works that justify us, but rather the righteous, satisfying, atoning, finished work of Christ. 
(John 19:30) When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Forgiveness has always been required for salvation, righteousness, and justification, but now, God has already forgiven the world of sin. 
In conclusion, I will leave you with this fact:
There is no instance for forgiveness automatically making anyone justified found anywhere in scripture.

So, this study is an overview of what it means for you and me to be justified today.
My prayer is that it prompts you to look into justification for yourself. 
It is a fascinating Bible study!
And to facilitate your learning, please check out Truth Time Radio's YouTube playlist titled, Understanding Terminology According to Scripture. 
There, Trey Searcy teaches on the 5 Biblical terms, Atonement, Forgiveness, Righteousness, Justification, and Reconciliation. They are all different because they're spelled different, and this series will teach you how to not conflate these terms, and will assist in solidifying your knowledge of scripture. 
Again, that is the Truth Time Radio YouTube playlist, Understanding Terminology According to Scripture. 
Sit down with a cup of coffee and your King James Bible and check it out!   

OK, that will do it for now.
Like the noble Bereans did with Paul’s messages, I urge you to search the scriptures to see if what I am teaching is true. You can find that in Acts 17:10-11.
Also, prove all things. 1 Thessalonians 5:21. 
And finally, please do not place confidence in what I say. 
Psalm 118:8-9.
This is brother Scott with another Truth Time, Look in the Book!