Exploring the Relationship Between Justification by Faith and Repentance of Sin

Once we’ve been convicted of our sin and have repented, we then become justified.

What is justification? It is the direct result of repentance and faith. Justification is an act of free grace by which God pardons the sinner and accepts him on account of the atonement of Christ as righteous. To be justified is to be free from the guilt of sin and sin’s punishment.

“Therefore, being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Much more then, being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him (Romans 5:9). …”that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7) . Justification makes us heirs and joint heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:17).

We are justified by faith and not by the work of the law. The law was only our school-master to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24).

Romans 5-8 are excellent reads to further understand this concept.

It is evident, that all of these terms and experiences are related and intertwined. They don’t exactly happen in a finite, linear manner, it is often cyclical and recurring. We’re never finished repenting because we may fall short at times, the Holy Spirit never stops convicting us of sin while we continue to live under the grace of God. By faith alone in Christ Jesus do we continue to live in this sinful body while on this side of glory. We do understand, however; that although conviction and repentance are recurring we are not slaves to our flesh or to sin anymore. Now that we are justified we walk and mind the things of the Spirit and not the flesh.