The True Meaning of Justification by Faith
In this end-time generation, many people of the world claim to understand the doctrine of “justification by faith.” Yet they may understand it merely as “believing in Jesus means that one is saved,” while overlooking the inseparable relationship between faith and receiving Christ to dwell within us, obeying Jesus’ words, and doing the will of God.
The Bible clearly teaches that a person is not justified by works of the law. At the same time, Scripture also teaches that genuine faith necessarily produces a life of love for Jesus, obedience to His words, and submission to the will of God. Therefore, we need to return to Scripture and reconsider the true meaning of “justification by faith.”
In this end-time generation, what must a person do in order to truly understand the biblical meaning of justification by faith?
I. Justification by Faith
Romans 3:28
“For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”
Romans 5:1–2
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Galatians 2:16
“Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. So we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”
Galatians 3:11
“Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’”
These passages make clear that a person is not justified by his own works or by observing the law as a means of earning righteousness. Rather, justification is received through faith in Jesus Christ.
II. The Meaning of Abraham’s Righteousness
Romans 4:3
“For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’”
Abraham’s faith was not merely an intellectual acknowledgment that God exists. His faith was demonstrated through his complete trust in God and his willingness to obey God’s will.
Abraham believed God, and his faith was demonstrated by his obedience. When God commanded him to offer his beloved son Isaac, Abraham acted in obedience to God. His faith was therefore manifested through his actions.
God’s definition of righteousness is not necessarily the same as the world’s definition. Scripture presents Abraham as an example of faith that results in obedience—even when obedience requires extraordinary sacrifice.
Therefore, merely saying with one’s mouth, “I believe in God,” is not the same as possessing genuine biblical faith. True faith is demonstrated through a life that seeks and follows the will of God.
III. Justification Demonstrated Through Obedience to God’s Will
James 2:17
“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
James 2:24
“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
James 2:21–22
“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.”
James 2:25
“And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?”
These passages teach that faith without works is dead. Genuine faith in Jesus Christ necessarily produces a life that obeys His words and seeks to do God’s will.
Therefore, biblical justification by faith should never be understood as permission to possess a faith that remains without obedience. Genuine faith is living faith, and living faith produces obedience.
IV. Those Who Have Genuine Faith Have Christ Dwelling Within Them
2 Corinthians 13:5
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”
Paul calls believers to examine themselves and determine whether they are truly in the faith. He connects genuine faith with the reality of Christ being in them.
Therefore, a person should not merely assume that he has genuine faith because he has verbally professed belief in Jesus. He should examine his life and ask whether Christ truly dwells within him.
But how can a person recognize whether Christ is truly dwelling within him?
V. Those Who Obey Jesus’ Words Have Christ Dwelling Within Them
John 14:23
“Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’”
Matthew 7:21
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who continually does the will of My Father who is in heaven.”
These words of Jesus make the relationship clear: those who truly love Him will keep His words. Jesus also warns that merely calling Him “Lord” is not sufficient; entering the kingdom of heaven is associated with doing the will of the Father.
Therefore, genuine faith cannot be separated from love for Jesus, obedience to His words, and submission to God’s will.
When Christ truly dwells within a person, that person’s faith is not merely a verbal profession. His life increasingly reflects the character, words, and will of Christ.
Conclusion
A person is justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by works of the law as a means of earning righteousness. Yet those who genuinely have faith in Jesus will necessarily desire to obey His words, seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and do the will of the Father. How, then, could genuine faith remain completely without works of obedience?
Justification by faith does not mean that a person earns salvation through his own works. Nor does it mean that, after being justified, a person may deliberately disregard the words of Jesus and the will of God.
Rather, a person is justified through faith in Jesus Christ. Yet genuine faith necessarily produces spiritual fruit in his life: love for the Lord, obedience to His words, pursuit of the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and a sincere desire to do the will of the Father.
As Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word.” Therefore, we should not merely say with our mouths, “Lord, Lord.” We must examine ourselves to determine whether Christ truly dwells within us.
True faith does not mean being justified by human works. Rather, true faith is a living faith that inevitably produces a life increasingly devoted to obeying the words of Jesus and doing the will of God.
Justification is by faith, not by works as a means of earning salvation; but genuine faith is never barren. Genuine faith produces obedience to God.
