Have you ever felt like you’re constantly trying to earn God’s approval through your efforts? Exhausting, isn’t it?
Examples of Justification by Faith breaks down the liberating truth that your salvation isn’t about perfecting your performance, but about trusting in Christ’s redemptive work.
In this bible expository, you’ll discover real-life illustrations of how simple faith in the Gospel transforms lives, not religious rituals or personal achievements.
Many Christians struggle with the misconception that they must somehow “measure up” to receive God’s grace, creating unnecessary spiritual burnout and anxiety.
If you’re curious about understanding this profound biblical truth of being made right with God through belief alone, this bible teaching—which beautifully complements our exploration of justification by faith in Romans and Galatians, will be your spiritual game-changer.
EXAMPLES OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
We’ll now unpack powerful narratives that demonstrate how simple, genuine faith opens the door to God’s eternal acceptance.
1 Corinthians 10 vs 11 and Romans 15 vs 4 talk about things written in the scriptures as examples for us, they are for our learning and give us Hope.
Our first example of someone in the Bible who received justification by Faith is Abraham.
Did you know that the Gospel was preached to Abraham and he believed? Have you ever looked at the life of Abraham and stopped to wonder, how?
He slept with his Maid and denied his Wife (twice) yet he was righteous? Does this ring a bell?
When you read carefully the background of Romans 4, you will observe how the apostle by the spirit explained Genesis 15, Abraham’s justification by faith, and also how David describes the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputed righteousness without works.
Abraham was declared righteous without works, for Romans 4 vs 8 says:
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. This “blessedness” or “blessing” here isn’t material blessing but the FORGIVENESS OF SIN.
God will not impute or record sin!! He did not say you will not sin but God will not record it. Even if you make mistakes, there is no record.
Some people say there is a recording device in heaven where all your sins are recorded, and when you get to heaven there will be a big TV screen, when they call your name, they will play a videotape, and all the evil you have done will be seen on the screen.
God does not have such a device, long ago, the old account was settled, when Jesus died, the blood of Christ took care of all your mistakes and there is no record of it anywhere. Halleluiah!
The second example is the Apostle Paul, no wonder he preached passionately about righteousness apart from works.
Imagine a man who tormented the Church of Christ receiving forgiveness with no sin to his account. Too good to be true?
Let’s hear from Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1 vs 15:
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the World to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Ephesians 2 vs 8 – 9: For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gif of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Apostle Paul fully acknowledged that it is GOD’S GRACE NOT HUMAN EFFORT THAT PROVIDES SALVATION which was pivotal in his transformation from PERSECUTOR to APOSTLE.
The third example is Cornelius, a centurion who, though devout, gave alms, and prayed to God always but yet wasn’t righteous, somehow, he knew something was missing.
Now, this is the beauty of God’s love and heart for people, God went to Peter in a dream and showed him the vision of the unclean animals (Acts 10 vs 9 – 16).
Then in Acts 10 vs 44 – 45, the Bible says “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.”
You can see that everyone in Cornelius’ house received salvation (declared righteous) outside of works because Jesus has paid the price.
The fourth example of a Bible Character that received justification by faith is Abel. How do we know this? Hebrews 11 vs 4:
By Faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Therefore, we can boldly say that Abel believed in the Gospel and he was declared righteous.
Finally, everyone and anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will receive salvation, be declared free, pass from darkness to light, and he’s righteous outside of works for while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
SIGNIFICANCE OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
The underlying importance of Justification by faith is that it puts a stop to the overwhelming guilt and condemnation presented by the Mosaic Law.
The feeling of unworthiness is annihilated, and the constant striving to earn God’s acceptance is put to a FINAL STOP.
The constant doubt about if salvation is secured is wiped off and the voice of the Devil paralyzing us with the weight of our past sins is SWALLOWED UP BY GODS STERNAL LOVE AND FORGIVENESS.
Hebrew 10 vs 11 – 12: And every priest standeth daily, ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifice, which can never take away sins:
Verse 12: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.
Under the Old Testament, sin could not be taken away. Every year they offered animals, the animals only covered the sin but never took it away.
In verse 12, Jesus took care of sin forever!! Whenever you say Father in the name of Jesus, when he looks at you, He sees the righteous man. No sin records. Hallelujah!
Hebrew 8 vs 10: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Hebrews 8 vs 12: For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
When he says I will not remember, He doesn’t mean memory loss but it will NOT BE RECORDED or held against you.
Why will God not hold my wrongdoing against me? Because He held my wrongdoing on Christ. Christ paid for all. There is no record of sin because of what Christ had done.
He held Jesus accountable for sin, so He will not hold you accountable for sin.
What is the justification that man will sin and will not be held accountable for it? God is just and, in his justice, he justifies the person who believes in Christ Jesus.
How does God justify a criminal? He justifies a criminal through third-party intervention.
Christ our saviour is the third party that intervenes. He steps into the place of the criminal, takes on him all that the criminal is supposed to receive, and is punished in place of the criminal.
The criminal is out to go free. You cannot suffer two people for one crime!! Jesus has been punished; you cannot be punished.
What is the punishment for sin? The wages of sin is death.
What did Jesus do? He died. He took the punishment for sin. The believer today is acquitted and discharged without prejudice.
When you stand before God, He doesn’t see a sinner but sees a righteous man because God had made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Stay Blessed!
My passion lies in reaching out to young adults in communities and schools, witnessing the transformative power of faith in their lives.
This blog extends my ministry, sharing insights, encouraging believers, and exploring Christ's teachings in daily life.
Welcome, Brother James.
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