Actually, I believe many followers of Christ live as if this were the definition of justification. "I am righteous", they might think, "My sin is gone, as a matter of fact, it as if I have never sinned." The result, one who thinks like this loses the magnitude of their sinfulness and the cost that was paid to exact the forgiveness and displace the wrath that was required for the sinful act.
For instance, if I drive 125 miles per hour down the road, I am guilty of breaking the law. When an officer pulls me over, they did not cause my guilt, but rather just exposed it and have called for a reckoning for breaking the law. If I then went to the courthouse and the judge declared me guilty (which I have already recognized I was), he would follow that with the proper punishment for the crime. IF he saw the incident report, identified my guilt but called me "innocent", he would neither be a good judge or an honest judge. He cannot say I was not guilty!
He could chose to "declare me righteous" by the means of covering the offense, expunging my record, or paying the cost of the penalty on my behalf. Which is a much better understanding of the word "justification". God calls us righteous because we bear His Son's righteousness (when we accept Him as savior). God poured His wrath out on His Son (the part we must not forget) to satisfy the payment due for the sin against His holiness.
Many live as though they have never sinned - and walk in arrogance, judgement and even continue in sin because God's grace is so amazing. We look down on the world. We stand as a "measuring rod" for other Christians and require that they live up to our level of "righteousness". We even take the mercies of God as a license to continue doing things that are completely against His nature. All as a result of a misunderstanding of what Christ did on our behalf.
I am guilty! Completely, without defense, a guilty sinner before God. And I didn't just miss the mark, I lived in enmity to God - I hated Him, I fought against Him, I wanted nothing to do with Him. YET, HE chose to pay my penalty, cover my sin, and declare me to have the righteousness of His perfect Son, Jesus Christ.
What is the consequence of living with this reality in mind?
Humility - I have no standing to judge others - I am more guilty than they could ever be.
Thankfulness - I did nothing to deserve this grace - so no matter what else happens, I am blessed.
Sacrifice - All I have is His - He has complete control of who I am and what I become.
I need not impress God with righteous living - His Son was completely perfect, so I cannot add to it.
I need not impress others - the only good I can do is done because of what was done for me.
I am free to live my life in a way that glorifies the One who gave Himself for me.
I need to share truth with others - that they might enjoy the freedom that comes in Christ.
Lord, help me to live this way.
