Unpacking Justification by Faith: How God's Free Grace Saves Us Completely

Justification. It's one of those big theological words that can feel intimidating at first glance. But at its heart, it's the beautiful story of how God makes us right with Him. Not because of who we are or what we've done, but because of who He is and what He's done through Jesus Christ. This doctrine has sparked debates and deep study throughout church history. Why? Because it's the bedrock of our faith. Without understanding how we are reconciled to a holy God, the entire gospel —the good news of Jesus' incarnation, life, death, and resurrection —loses its power.

If you've been following along in our devotional series on the Westminster Larger Catechism, you might remember our last post where we explored what justification is. In simple terms, it's God's gracious act of declaring sinners righteous, forgiving all our sins through Christ's perfect work on the cross (Romans 3:23-24). But that raises a natural follow-up question: How can justification be truly free? If it cost Jesus His life, doesn't that make it expensive? And what about faith? Don't we have to "do" something to receive it? These are the exact questions addressed in Question 71 of the Westminster Larger Catechism.

The Heart of Justification: A Gift of God's Free Grace

Question 71 asks: “How is justification an act of God’s free grace?” The answer is profound yet straightforward:

"Although Christ, by his obedience and death, made a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God’s justice on behalf of those who are justified, yet because God accepts this satisfaction for a payment which he might have demanded of them; provided this payment himself, through his own only Son imputing his righteousness to them; and requires nothing from them for their justification except faith, which is also his gift; therefore their justification is of free grace."

There is a lot there, but break it down, and it's like a love letter from God. Justification isn't earned; it's imputed, meaning God credits Christ's perfect righteousness to our account, as if we had lived His sinless life ourselves (2 Corinthians 5:21). Imagine your bank account suddenly overflowing with someone else's flawless financial record. That's the picture here.

From a Reformed Baptist viewpoint, this underscores sola gratia—grace alone. We're not talking about a vague "God helps those who help themselves" mindset. No, Ephesians 2:8-9 drives this home: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Salvation starts and ends with God's initiative. He doesn't wait for us to clean up our act; He swoops in while we're still "dead in the trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1).

This free grace isn't cheap, though. It cost God dearly. It cost the life of His only Son. Yet for us, it's utterly without strings. Think of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. The wayward son returns home empty-handed, expecting to earn his keep as a hired servant. But the father doesn't demand repayment; he runs to embrace him, clothes him in the best robe, and throws a feast. That's justification: God running toward us, covering our shame with Christ's robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).

Shocking Truth: Justification by Works... of Christ Alone

Here's where things get really intriguing, and maybe a bit controversial. The late R.C. Sproul once surprised his audience by stating, "Our justification is entirely by works." If you're like me, your eyebrows shot up. Works? Didn't Paul hammer home in Galatians 2:16 that "a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ"?

Sproul was onto something here, though. He quickly clarified: "...by the works of Christ alone!" It's a brilliant twist that resolves what might seem like a contradiction. Our own efforts? They fall flat. As Isaiah 64:6 laments, "All our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment." Even our best attempts at goodness are tainted by sin's stain. We can't add a single drop to the ocean of merit needed to stand before a perfect God.

But Christ's works? They are everything. His active and passive obedience provide a "proper, real, and full satisfaction" to God's justice, as the catechism says. God accepts this payment not because it's partial, but because it's complete. He could have demanded it from us, piling on the impossible debt of our sins. Instead, in sovereign mercy, He provided it Himself through the cross.

This is the genius of imputation. Romans 4:5-8 paints it vividly: God "justifies the ungodly," crediting righteousness apart from works, just as Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. This isn't abstract theory; it's the heartbeat of the gospel. Jesus didn't just forgive our debts; He paid them in full and deposited His treasury into ours. Hallelujah! No wonder Spurgeon called justification "the hinge on which the gospel turns."

The Gift That Costs the Giver: Why It's Free for You

 

So, if justification cost the Father His Son and the Son His life, how is it free for us? The catechism nails it here: God "accepts this satisfaction for a payment which he might have demanded of them; provided this payment himself." It's like the ultimate parental sacrifice. As a dad, I've given gifts to my kids that stretched my budget and time. But to them? Pure joy, no invoice attached.

That's our story with God. The cross was the Father's lavish expenditure and the Son's willing offering (John 10:18). We contribute nothing. Philippians 2:5-8 reminds us that Jesus "humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Nothing left for us to pay. No penance, no good deeds. As the hymn writer put it, "Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling."

This truth crushes legalism and lifts the weary. If you're tempted to think, "God won't accept me until I get my act together," remember: He already has. The pressure's off because the price is paid. Rest in that. Your justification isn't fragile, hanging on your performance; it's forged in Christ's unshakeable victory.

Faith: The Empty-Handed Response God Provides

One potential snag remains: As the catechism says God "requires nothing from them for their justification except faith." Except faith? Doesn't that sound like a work we must do? But Scripture is clear. On our own, we're spiritually bankrupt, "hostile to God" and unable to submit to His law (Romans 8:7). As Jesus said in John 6:44, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him."

Enter the gift of faith. It's not a self-generated spark but God's breath of life in our dead hearts (Ezekiel 36:26). The catechism echoes Ephesians 2:8: Faith itself is "his gift." We believe, but even that believing is empowered by the Spirit (Philippians 1:29; 2:13).

Living in the Freedom of Justification

So, what does this mean for you? Justification by free grace isn't just a doctrine; it is a daily call for joy. It frees you to serve without score-keeping, love without leverage, and fail without fear. As Romans 5:1 declares, "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Soli Deo Gloria