The Names of God - The Justifier of Him Which Believeth in Jesus

The Justifier of Him Which Believeth in Jesus

To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:26

The practice of using what is known in the preaching circles of “proof texts” has sometimes lulled us to sleep to the point that we miss the surrounding verses. This is the practice of taking one verse, usually out of context, in order to prove a particular part of one’s theology. One example of this is 1 Corinthians 2:9:

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)

This verse appears on greeting cards and is used liberally around milestone events in the lives of loved ones, such as graduation, etc. It sounds poetic, full of wonder and speculation as to what the future holds. However, God would never leave His children without direction, without a sense of purpose and plan. It wasn’t until I finally read the next verse that my angst was removed. Some of you may have never read it, so here it is:

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10 (KJV)

But!! How could this conjunction be ignored by anyone studying scripture? God has left us in the dark regarding His plans for us. He gave us His Spirit to abide in us, to lead us, direct our steps, and help us find His plans, purposes, and pursuits.

That is not the topic of this Names of God installment but is necessary to illustrate what we are about to see regarding God being the Justifier of Him Which Believeth in Jesus. 

Growing up in an evangelical church, I learned the Roman’s Road, a series of verses from the book of Romans which can be used to lead someone to Christ. The first of these verses is Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Those words are in the Bible, and they are true. However, they do not accurately express what Paul is trying to communicate to the Roman Church in this passage of scripture. Let’s take a closer look. First of all, read the verse in context with what comes before and after.

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. 

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.

This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21–26. (ESV)

Honestly, today was the first time in sixty-four years of living that I ever knew the context of this verse. The evangelical church was so sin-conscious that they totally missed the point Paul was trying to express. The Law says, “All have sinned.” Righteousness has been restored through Jesus Christ. Notice the conjunction, “and.” It’s the same as the passage in 1 Corinthians where two opposing statements are joined together to make a much stronger truth. Romans 3:23 is not even a complete sentence. Paul declares, 

“There is no distinction between what the Law did to bring us to repentance and what faith in Jesus Christ did to bring us into righteousness.” 

We have all sinned AND we have all been justified through our identification with Christ. This is much better “Good News” than just learning we are “dirty rotten sinners.” So much more! Once you see this truth in Romans 3:23-24, verses 25-26 makes so much more sense:

This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 

God has always wanted to redeem man. It was His plan in the Garden. It was His plan when He made covenant Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was His plan when He made covenant with Israel. Even the giving of the Law to demonstrate the sinfulness of man was part of the plan of redemption. This is what Paul is trying to communicate here. All have sinned AND we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

Do not allow the truth of the gospel to be lost in proof texts. Find out the fullness of the promises made in the “new” covenant we have with our Creator, the Justifier of Him Which Believeth in Jesus.