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Salvation

Justification

Being declared right with God on the basis of Christ's work.

Justification is a legal image: a verdict of 'not guilty, and counted righteous' pronounced over a person who trusts Christ. It is a status given at once, not a process completed slowly.

It is distinguished from sanctification, the lifelong process of becoming like Christ in character.

Key verses

  • Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Romans 5:1

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Where this came from

We're not experts — these are the sources we used while researching this page. Read them yourself, keep digging, and hold us to them.

  1. [1]Blue Letter Bible — concordance and cross-reference tools

    Every verse chain on a topic page was checked in context here.

  2. [2]Bible Project — theological theme studies

    Biblical-theology framing for themes such as covenant, image of God, exile and sabbath.

  3. [3]Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (OUP)

    Definitions of technical terms used on these pages.