When We Can’t Justify Ourselves—God's Righteousness Does

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I was perfectly justified!”? Maybe after snapping at someone, cutting a corner, or doing something you knew wasn’t right—yet you felt you had a good enough reason to excuse it. We all know that instinct. It’s deeply human. When we feel guilty, we want to defend ourselves. When we feel exposed, we want to explain ourselves. And often, we take that same instinct into our relationship with God.

We reciently examined Romans 3:19–26 and it reminded us of something both humbling and freeing: before God, none of us are justified by our own goodness. God’s Law shows us what perfect righteousness looks like, and it’s not something we can ever achieve on our own. Even if we could avoid outward sin, our hearts still betray us—because sin lives in the intentions, motives, and desires we often try to hide. The Law is like a mirror, revealing what’s really there. There’s no defense, no explanation, no excuse that will make us righteous. Left to ourselves, we stand guilty. But that’s where the good news breaks in.

Paul tells us that God has made a way for us to be righteous—not through our works, but through Jesus Christ. Jesus kept the Law we couldn’t keep. He lived the life we should have lived. And then He died the death our sins deserved. His blood didn’t just cover our guilt—it removed it entirely. At the cross, God took every sin—from the beginning of humanity to the last day—and placed it on Jesus. And in exchange, God placed Jesus’ righteousness on all who trust in Him. This is what “justification” means:God declares you righteous—not because you earned it, but because Jesus earned it for you. This is different from sanctification (the lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus).

Sanctification changes us; justification saves us. And because justification is a gift of grace, you can stand before God with peace, confidence, and assurance—not fear.

Maybe today you’re tempted to justify yourself before God, convinced your good deeds will tip the scales. Or maybe the opposite—you feel crushed by guilt, terrified that God is done with you because of your failures. But the gospel speaks hope to both the self-reliant and the brokenhearted: you cannot justify yourself—but God joyfully, graciously, completely justifies you through Christ.

You are not saved by your performance.You are not rejected for your failures.You are saved by grace—through faith—because of Jesus. Rest in that today. Breathe in the freedom Jesus died to give you. Walk in the joy of knowing that nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate you from the love and righteousness God has given you in His Son. “For by grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)