Term

Justification

An instantaneous legal act of God in which he forgives sins, imputes Christ's righteousness to believers, and declares them righteous in his sight.

Filed underSoteriology

Definition

An instantaneous legal act of God in which he (1) thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ's righteousness as belonging to us, and (2) declares us to be righteous in his sight.

Connections

Follow this entry through the Lexicon.

Related to: active obedienceTerm
infused righteousnessTerm
passive obedienceTerm
Includes: imputeTerm
Broader than: Justification from EternityTerm
Contrasted with: new perspective on PaulTerm
SanctificationTerm
Narrower than: Order of Salvation (ordo salutis)Term

Sources

1.Wayne A. Grudem Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed.. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020). 1509Original citation: Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2020, 1509.

Last revised August 14, 2026