At a funeral the other day, I was reminded by the pastor’s message about the joy, peace, and justification we will have when we stand before Christ. And so for a few days I dwelt on the idea of being justified, and it filled me with great joy. 

The biblical definition of justification is “to be declared, or made righteous in the eyes of God.”(Oxford Languages). But I think The Gospel Coalition’s summary defines it in the context of salvation more clearly: 

“The doctrine of justification concerns God’s gracious judicial verdict in advance of the day of judgment, pronouncing guilty sinners, who turn in self-despairing trust to Jesus Christ, forgiven, acquitted of all charges and declared morally upright in God’s sight.”

But the world uses the word, ‘justification’, differently. To be justified means, “having, done for, or marked by a good or legitimate reason.”(Oxford Languages)

As believers, we will experience both types of justification. According to Romans 5:1-2, we are justified through faith. “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”

Secondly, we will receive justification standing before God in that our works while on the earth will be justified by reveal of truth. Jesus warns us several times to be prepared to encounter hatred from the world. Matthew 10:22 says: “And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.” and John 15:18 says: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.”. This should be an encouragement for believers. Social media, news, coworkers, even friends and family will hate us for the works we do for Christ, but our faith will be justified standing before God, and we will be rewarded when we reach the end. Our goals are larger than the affirmations of the world today; we have set our minds on eternity, where we will justified because of Christ’s redeeming sacrifice.