In the biblical context, justification refers to the act of God declaring a sinner to be righteous on the basis of faith. Under the Mosaic Law, justification required perfect obedience to all of God's commandments. This concept is rooted in the understanding that God's law is holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12), and any deviation from it results in sin, which separates humanity from God.

The requirement for perfect obedience is evident in the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 27:26 , it is written, "Cursed is he who does not put the words of this law into practice." This verse underscores the necessity of complete adherence to the law, as failure to do so results in a curse. The law demanded not only external compliance but also internal purity, as seen in the command to love the Lord with all one's heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5).

The New Testament further clarifies the impossibility of achieving justification through the law due to human sinfulness. In Galatians 3:10 , Paul writes, "All who rely on works of the law are under a curse, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.'" This passage highlights the comprehensive nature of the law's demands and the inherent inability of humans to fulfill them perfectly.

James 2:10 reinforces this by stating, "Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." This verse illustrates the indivisibility of the law; a single infraction renders one guilty of violating the entire law, thus disqualifying them from justification based on their own merit.

The role of the law, therefore, is to reveal sin and the need for a savior. Romans 3:20 states, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin." The law serves as a mirror, reflecting humanity's sinful nature and pointing to the necessity of divine intervention for justification.

The impossibility of achieving justification through the law is further emphasized by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 5:48 , Jesus commands, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." This call to perfection underscores the standard required by the law, which no human can attain on their own.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, explains that righteousness and justification come through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from the law. Romans 3:21-22 declares, "But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe."

In summary, the biblical narrative presents the law as requiring perfect obedience for justification, a standard that highlights human inadequacy and the need for a savior. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers receive the righteousness of God, fulfilling the law's demands and granting them justification before God.Leviticus 18:5
You shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 10:5
For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which does those things shall live by them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 2:13
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

James 2:10
For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Its Nature
... person, how full does our justification appear! ... sufficient that the believer stand
before God with no ... The holiness of God requires a positive righteousness to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/5 its nature.htm

Its Instrument
... Darby denied that Gentiles were ever under the law ... What is the relation of faith
to justification? ... elect were actually justified by God before the foundation of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/8 its instrument.htm

On the Justification of Man Before God
... to God, to enable them to come under the name ... to the Scriptures, we conclude, that
justification, when used ... 6, 7;) or that man is justified before God, of debt ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 19 on the justification.htm

Its Source
... successfully lay anything to my charge before God, though if ... Toward the sinner
justification is an act of free ... it was wondrous grace that God Himself provided ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/6 its source.htm

The Beginning of Justification. In what Sense Progressive.
... so often declared that he recognizes no justification by works ... of that is not
comprehended under the Law. ... on which these men would plume themselves before God. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 the beginning of.htm

Introduction
... Holy Spirit, esteem this doctrine of Justification, that he ... "Demonstrations of the
existence of God will only ... that there is a righteous Judge, before whom he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/1 introduction.htm

Questions and Answers
... of sanctification would also forfeit our justification, and bring us ... his experience
when under the law, before he had been brought into the grace of God. ...
/.../byers/sanctification/chapter xii questions and answers.htm

Christ the End of the Law
... No weightier question can be asked under heaven ... is saved, or what were the benefit
of justification? ... that his own righteousness will suffice before God, I would ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 22 1876/christ the end of the.htm

Justification.
... of fear which they experienced before regeneration, because ... the confidence they have
that God will pardon ... hold on pardon and fresh justification, their remorse ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxvi justification.htm

The Righteousness of Faith
... delivered" to death "for our offences, and was raised again for our justification:"
(Rom.4 ... in every thing to give thanks?" to have God always before you? ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 6 the righteousness of.htm

Why is justification by faith such an important doctrine? | GotQuestions.org

Justification vs sanctification'what are the differences? | GotQuestions.org

What is justification? What does it mean to be justified? | GotQuestions.org

Justification: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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