By. Dr. Nilo H. Flores
October 8, 2026
Memory Verse
Romans 5:1 (KJV)
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
OPENING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for the wonderful truth of justification by faith. Thank You that we cannot earn our salvation by our own righteousness, but through Jesus Christ we can be declared righteous before You. Help us understand this truth clearly and live every day with gratitude for what Christ has done for us. Teach us to trust You completely and to walk faithfully in the righteousness You have provided through Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
INTRODUCTION
One of the greatest truths in the Bible is the truth of justification by faith.
Every human being has sinned. We have all failed God’s perfect standard. The question is not whether we have sinned—the Bible already answers that question:
Romans 3:23 (KJV)
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
If salvation depended upon our personal goodness, none of us could stand before God.
But the Gospel gives us wonderful news: God provides righteousness through Jesus Christ.
Justification means that God declares the believing sinner righteous—not because that sinner has earned righteousness through good works, but because of the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Our salvation is not based upon what we can do for God. It is based upon what Jesus Christ has already done for us.
ORIGINAL GREEK WORD STUDY
1. δικαιόω — dikaioō
This Greek word means to justify, to declare righteous, to pronounce righteous, or to vindicate.
It carries the idea of a judicial declaration.
When God justifies a sinner who believes in Christ, God declares that person righteous based on Christ’s work.
2. πίστις — pistis
This word means faith, belief, trust, confidence, or firm persuasion.
Biblical faith is not merely knowing facts about Jesus. It is placing our confidence in Him.
3. δικαιοσύνη — dikaiosynē
This means righteousness, uprightness, or the quality of being right before God.
The righteousness we need before God cannot be produced by our human efforts. Our confidence rests in the righteousness provided through Jesus Christ.
1. JUSTIFICATION MEANS GOD DECLARES THE BELIEVER RIGHTEOUS
Justification is not God pretending that sin does not exist.
God does not ignore sin.
The penalty for sin had to be paid, and Jesus Christ paid that penalty on the cross.
Romans 3:24 (KJV)
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
The sinner is justified through Christ.
Our standing before God is not based on our personal record but on Christ and His finished work.
2. EVERY SINNER IS GUILTY BEFORE GOD
Before we can appreciate justification, we must understand our condition.
The Bible does not divide humanity into “good people” and “bad people” when it comes to sin.
We are all sinners.
Romans 3:10 (KJV)
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”
Sin separates us from the righteousness of God.
We cannot solve our sin problem by simply becoming a better person.
We need a Saviour.
3. THE LAW CANNOT JUSTIFY US
The law of God reveals our sin, but keeping religious rules cannot remove our guilt.
Romans 3:20 (KJV)
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
The law shows us that we are sinners.
It points us to our need for Christ.
A mirror can show us that our face is dirty, but the mirror cannot wash our face.
In the same way, God’s law reveals our sin, but Christ provides the salvation we need.
4. GOD PROVIDES THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WE NEED
The Gospel reveals God’s righteousness.
Romans 3:21–22 (KJV)
“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:”
This is wonderful news.
God does not tell the sinner, “Make yourself righteous and then come to Me.”
Instead, God provides righteousness through Jesus Christ.
5. JUSTIFICATION IS BY FAITH
Romans 5:1 clearly teaches:
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
Faith is the means by which we receive God’s gracious gift.
We trust Christ.
We depend upon Christ.
We rest in Christ.
We stop trusting our own righteousness and place our confidence in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
6. CHRIST PAID THE PENALTY FOR OUR SIN
Justification is possible because Jesus Christ took our place.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Jesus was completely sinless.
Yet He willingly suffered and died for sinners.
The cross is where God’s justice and God’s mercy meet.
Christ paid the price that we could never pay.
7. JUSTIFICATION IS BY GOD’S GRACE
We cannot boast about justification because we did not earn it.
Romans 3:28 (KJV)
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
Grace means that salvation is God’s undeserved favour.
We did not deserve salvation.
We could not purchase salvation.
We could not work enough to earn salvation.
God graciously provided salvation through Jesus Christ.
8. FAITH IS NOT A WORK THAT EARNS SALVATION
Sometimes people misunderstand faith.
Faith is not another achievement by which we earn God’s acceptance.
Faith simply receives what God has graciously provided.
Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJV)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
There is no room for pride at the foot of the cross.
We cannot say, “I saved myself.”
We can only say, “Jesus saved me.”
9. ABRAHAM IS A BIBLICAL EXAMPLE OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
Abraham is one of the clearest examples in Scripture.
Romans 4:3 (KJV)
“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
Abraham believed God.
His faith was counted for righteousness.
This teaches us that God’s plan of salvation has always centered on faith rather than human boasting.
10. JUSTIFICATION BRINGS PEACE WITH GOD
Romans 5:1 does not merely say that we receive peace within ourselves.
It says:
“we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Sin creates separation.
Christ brings reconciliation.
Romans 5:2 (KJV)
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
What a wonderful position!
Through Christ, we have access to God and stand in His grace.
11. JUSTIFICATION REMOVES BOASTING
If salvation were based upon human achievement, people could boast about how good they were.
But salvation by grace leaves no room for human pride.
Romans 3:27 (KJV)
“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.”
Everything points back to Christ.
When we understand justification, we become more thankful and less proud.
We do not look down on others because we know that we also needed God’s grace.
12. JUSTIFICATION DOES NOT PERMIT US TO LIVE IN SIN
Some people misunderstand grace and think that if salvation is by faith, Christian living no longer matters.
That is not biblical.
Good works do not cause our justification, but a genuinely changed life should follow salvation.
Titus 3:5–7 (KJV)
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Grace saves us.
Then grace teaches us to live for God.
13. JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION ARE NOT THE SAME
These two truths are closely connected, but they should not be confused.
Justification concerns our standing before God. God declares the believer righteous through Christ.
Sanctification concerns our daily walk. God continues working in our lives so that we become more like Christ.
Justification is God’s gracious declaration.
Sanctification is God’s continuing work of transformation.
We are not justified because we became perfect.
We are justified because Christ is sufficient.
And because we have been saved, we should desire to grow in holiness.
14. JUSTIFICATION GIVES THE BELIEVER CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST
Our confidence before God should not rest upon our feelings or our accomplishments.
It rests upon Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:9 (KJV)
“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”
Paul did not want to stand before God trusting his own righteousness.
He wanted to be found in Christ.
That should be our confidence too.
BUSINESS FOR CHRIST
The truth of justification also gives us an important lesson for our work and business.
In business, we understand the importance of records, accounts, agreements, payments, and responsibilities.
If an account has a debt, the debt must be dealt with.
Our sin created a debt we could never pay.
Jesus Christ paid the price through His sacrifice.
This does not mean that salvation is a business transaction. Rather, the picture helps us understand why Christ’s sacrifice was necessary.
In our businesses and ministries, we should also practice integrity.
Ask yourself:
- Am I honest in my dealings?
- Do I keep my promises?
- Do I treat people fairly?
- Am I truthful about my products or services?
- Do I handle money responsibly?
- Does my business testimony reflect Christ?
We do not practice integrity to earn salvation.
We practice integrity because we belong to Christ.
Our faith should influence the way we work.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
1. Stop trusting your own righteousness.
You will never be good enough to save yourself.
Trust Christ.
2. Thank God for His grace.
Every day, remember that salvation is a gift.
3. Do not compare yourself with others.
Your standard is not another person’s life.
Your standard is God’s righteousness.
4. Rest in Christ’s finished work.
You do not need to add human merit to what Christ has already accomplished.
5. Live a changed life.
Justification should lead to gratitude, obedience, holiness, and faithful service.
6. Give God the glory.
When God saves a sinner, the glory belongs to Him.
TODAY’S CHALLENGE
Take a few quiet moments today and ask yourself:
“Am I trusting Christ completely, or am I still depending partly upon myself?”
Thank God for the righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.
Then find one practical way to demonstrate your gratitude today—through honesty, kindness, forgiveness, witnessing, giving, serving, or helping someone who needs encouragement.
REMEMBER
We are not justified because we are good enough.
We are justified because Jesus Christ is sufficient.
Our works cannot save us.
Our religion cannot save us.
Our reputation cannot save us.
Our money cannot save us.
Only Jesus Christ can save us.
QUOTATION
“Justification by faith reminds us that our standing before God is not built upon our own goodness, but upon the finished work of Jesus Christ. We come to God as sinners, trust Christ as our Saviour, and rest in the righteousness He provides. Therefore, we do not serve God to earn His grace; we serve Him because His grace has already changed our lives.”
— Dr. Nilo H. Flores
FLORES FAITH SMILE 😊
A Sunday school teacher asked the children:
“Why can’t we save ourselves by doing good things?”
One little boy raised his hand and answered:
“Because if being good could save us, Jesus would not have needed to die on the cross.”
The teacher smiled and said, “That is right. But should Christians still do good?”
The boy answered, “Yes, because Jesus already saved us, so we should be thankful and live for Him.”
The teacher smiled again.
That little answer contains an important truth:
Good works are not the root of salvation; they are the fruit of a life changed by God’s grace.
CLOSING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for the precious gift of justification by faith. Thank You that we do not have to depend upon our own righteousness because Jesus Christ has provided the righteousness we need.
Thank You for the cross, where Christ paid the penalty for our sins. Thank You for Your grace, Your mercy, and Your forgiveness.
Help us never to boast in ourselves. Teach us to boast only in Jesus Christ.
Help us live lives that demonstrate genuine gratitude for our salvation. Make us honest in our work, faithful in our ministry, compassionate toward others, and bold in sharing the Gospel.
May our lives point people to Jesus Christ.
In the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE
Romans 5:1 (KJV)
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
TODAY’S PRAYER FOCUS
🙏 Thank God for salvation by grace through faith.
🙏 Thank Him for the finished work of Jesus Christ.
🙏 Ask God to keep you humble and grateful.
🙏 Ask Him to help you live a life that reflects your faith.
🙏 Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel with someone who needs Christ.
BUSINESS FOR CHRIST
Preaching the Gospel • Equipping Believers • Making Disciples
Our righteousness is not found in ourselves.
Our hope is found in Jesus Christ.
TOMORROW — DAY 19
REDEMPTION THROUGH CHRIST
Ephesians 1:7 (KJV)
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
Τῷ μόνῳ Θεῷ δόξα
Tō monō Theō doxa
To God Alone Be the Glory
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