Justification

"How are we made right with God?"

3 Scripture passages2 objections answered2 Church Father quotes

The Short Answer

Justification is not merely a legal declaration but a real transformation. God doesn't just declare us righteous—He makes us righteous by infusing grace into our souls.

Quick Overview

Imagine a dirty cup. One approach says: 'I declare this cup clean'—but it's still dirty. God's way is to actually wash the cup. Justification isn't God pretending we're righteous; it's God actually making us righteous by pouring grace into our souls.

Biblical Evidence

What the Scriptures say

2 Corinthians 5:17

"If then any be in Christ a new creature, the old things are passed away, behold all things are made new."

Why This Matters

We become 'new creatures'—not just declared innocent while remaining guilty, but truly transformed.

Romans 5:5

"The charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, who is given to us."

Why This Matters

God's love is 'poured into' us—something really enters and changes us.

Ezekiel 36:26

"I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit within you."

Why This Matters

God promises interior transformation, not just external declaration.

What the Church Teaches

Official Catholic doctrine

Justification includes the remission of sins and sanctification—being made holy, not just declared so. It is a true transformation by grace that makes us children of God (CCC 1989-1995).

Common Objections

Questions answered

Early Church Fathers

What the first Christians believed

St. Augustine

c. 400 AD

"God justifies the ungodly by making the ungodly righteous."

— On the Spirit and the Letter, 26:45

Council of Trent

1547 AD

"Justification is not merely remission of sins but also sanctification and renewal of the inner man."

— Decree on Justification, Ch. 7

Merit

Fasting

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