The concept of justification is an important doctrine in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament. Justification refers to the act of being declared righteous or justified in the sight of God. It is the forgiveness of sins and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the believer.

In the Old Testament, justification was primarily based on the performance of good works and obedience to the law. However, in the New Testament, justification is based on faith in Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection.

One of the key passages on justification is Romans 3:21-26, which says:

“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission 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 believeth in Jesus.”

This passage teaches that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by our own good works or obedience to the law. It also emphasizes that justification is a gift of God’s grace, not something that we can earn or deserve.

Another key passage on justification is Galatians 2:16, which says, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” This passage further underscores the fact that we are not justified by our own good works, but by faith in Jesus Christ.

In summary, the Bible teaches that justification is the forgiveness of sins and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness to the believer, based on faith in Jesus Christ and his death and resurrection. It is a gift of God’s grace and cannot be earned or deserved through our own efforts.