Justification is...?

The Protestant Reformers countered Rome's view of justification with Scripture because they saw Rome's view as very unBiblical. It can be argued that defining justification was one of the greatest points of the Reformation. Yet, hardly any evangelical Christians today have either heard of, know of, or can rightly explain the doctrine of justification, even though it is a key doctrine in the New Testament (especially the entire book of Romans). I pray that this will help us all understand what justification is and what it is not.

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Justification is not God making you righteous.
Justification is not a source of grace to help you do good Christian deeds.
Justification is not being transformed into something righteous.
Justification is not making yourself righteous to God.
Justification is not the imparting of grace.

Justification is the instantaneous, one-time act of God declaring the sinner righteous.
Justification is grace imputed to the sinner.
Justification is how we are simul iustus et peccator (simultaneously justified and sinful).
Justification is what Christ earned on our behalf because we could not.
Justification is by the alien righteousness of Christ, not a native righteousness of man.
Justification is by faith alone by grace alone in Christ alone.