Justifier
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The term "Justifier" refers to God, particularly in His role of declaring sinners righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. This concept is central to Christian theology and is rooted in the doctrine of justification, which is a key element of salvation. The act of justifying is God's gracious and judicial act whereby He declares a sinner righteous on the basis of faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, provides a comprehensive explanation of God as the Justifier. Romans 3:26 states, "He did it to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." This verse highlights the dual nature of God’s justice and mercy. God remains just because He does not overlook sin; rather, He addresses it through the sacrifice of His Son. At the same time, He is the Justifier, offering righteousness to those who believe in Jesus.

The Role of Faith

Faith is the means by which individuals receive justification. Romans 5:1 declares, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This peace signifies the restored relationship between God and humanity, made possible through faith in Christ's redemptive work. Faith is not a work that earns justification but is the channel through which God's grace is received.

The Atonement of Christ

Central to the concept of God as the Justifier is the atonement accomplished by Jesus Christ. Romans 3:24-25 explains, "and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand." The atonement is the basis upon which God can justify sinners without compromising His holiness and justice.

Imputed Righteousness

The righteousness that believers receive is not their own but is imputed to them through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." This imputed righteousness is a gift, underscoring the grace of God in the act of justification.

The Assurance of Justification

Believers can have assurance of their justified status before God. Romans 8:33-34 affirms, "Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is there to condemn? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us." This assurance is rooted in the completed work of Christ and the ongoing intercession He provides.

The Transformative Power of Justification

While justification is a legal declaration, it also initiates a transformative process in the believer's life. Romans 6:1-2 challenges believers, "What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase? Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?" Justification leads to sanctification, the process of becoming more like Christ, as the believer lives out the implications of being declared righteous.

In summary, the concept of God as the Justifier is foundational to understanding the Christian gospel. It encapsulates the profound truth that God, in His justice and mercy, provides a way for sinners to be declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ, resulting in peace with God and a transformed life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) One who justifies; one who vindicates, supports, defends, or absolves.
Greek
1344. dikaioo -- to show to be righteous, declare righteous
... to show to be righteous, declare righteous NASB Word Usage acknowledged...justice
(1), acquitted (1), freed (3), justified (24), justifier (1), justifies (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1344.htm - 9k

4266. proginomai -- to happen before
... He passed over the sins (4266 ); 26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness
at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4266.htm - 7k

Library

Two Things to be Observed in Gratuitous Justification.
... The nature of this demonstration he immediately subjoins"viz. "that he might be
just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus," (Rom.3:25). ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 two things to.htm

Righteous Grace
... peace for the stricken conscience is there in the truth that Christ died for the
ungodly; and that it is of the ungodly that the righteous God is the Justifier ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter iv righteous grace.htm

Justice Satisfied
... at the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens. "Just, and the justifier of him which
believeth in Jesus.""Romans 3:26. ... God can be just, and yet the justifier. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/justice satisfied.htm

Scriptural Types.
... set forth Christ Jesus as a propitiation through faith in his blood for a manifestation
of his righteousness, "that he might be just, and the justifier of him ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Be Ye Therefore Perfect, Even as Your Father which is in Heaven is ...
... Now tell him of Christ's atonement, show him how Christ died to make satisfaction,
so that God can be just and yet the justifier of them that believe in Jesus ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/be ye therefore perfect even 2.htm

That we Obtain Remission of Sins by Faith Alone in Christ.
... is set forth for this reason that when any one has recognized his infirmity he may
attain and work the same and live in it, conciliating the Justifier not by ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 5 that we obtain.htm

The Second Part
... deeds of the Law. Likewise v.26: That He might be just, and the Justifier
of him which believeth in Christ. Of this article nothing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the smalcald articles/the second part.htm

Believe and be Saved
... Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood...to declare
his righteousness; that he might be just, and the justifier of him which ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter viii believe and be.htm

On the Atonement.
... of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God To declare, I say, at this
time his righteousness: that he might be just and the justifier of him which ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/xii on the atonement.htm

Of the Exposition of the Resurrection, the Judgment, and Other ...
... set before us is not that we may be justified by them, but that, as we imitate them,
we may understand how we ourselves also are justified by their Justifier. ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 7 of the exposition of.htm

Thesaurus
Justifier (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who justifies; one who vindicates, supports,
defends, or absolves. Multi-Version Concordance Justifier (1 Occurrence). ...
/j/justifier.htm - 6k

Justifies (5 Occurrences)
... Romans 3:26 to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might
himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus. ...
/j/justifies.htm - 7k

Justice (212 Occurrences)
... of justice. Thus it is that God is at the same time "just, and the justifier
of him that hath faith in Jesus" (Romans 3:26). "He ...
/j/justice.htm - 46k

Justified (46 Occurrences)

/j/justified.htm - 19k

Demonstrate (5 Occurrences)
... Romans 3:26 to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might
himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus. (WEB NIV). ...
/d/demonstrate.htm - 8k

Believeth (42 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that
he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. ...
/b/believeth.htm - 17k

Showing (41 Occurrences)
... Romans 3:26 for the showing, 'I say', of his righteousness at this present season:
that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in ...
/s/showing.htm - 19k

Prove (83 Occurrences)
... Romans 3:26 to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might
himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus. (See RSV). ...
/p/prove.htm - 34k

Season (101 Occurrences)
... Romans 3:26 for the showing, 'I say', of his righteousness at this present season:
that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him that hath faith in ...
/s/season.htm - 38k

Declare (346 Occurrences)
... Romans 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be
just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (KJV WBS). ...
/d/declare.htm - 37k

Resources
What is ultimate reconciliation? | GotQuestions.org

Medical marijuana - what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.org

Justifier: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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