Justification
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified
Explaining Justification (1987-1988)
Justification cleanses from sin and communicates God's righteousness through faith in Christ. Paul writes, "But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will live with him" and "You must consider yourselves as dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Rom 6:8-11).
By the Spirit's justification we die to sin and are born to new life. We become branches grafted onto Christ, the vine. "By the participation of the Spirit, we become communicants in the divine nature. Those in whom the Spirit dwells are divinized" (St. Athanasius).
Conversion (1989)
The first effect of justification is conversion. "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Mt 4:17). Turning away from sin, man accepts God's forgiveness and righteousness. "Besides remission of sins, justification is also the sanctification and renewal of the interior man" (Council of Trent).
A Free Gift (1990-1991)
Justification is God's free gift which detaches man from enslavement to sin and reconciles him to God. Justification is also our acceptance of God's righteousness. In this gift, faith, hope, charity, and obedience to God's will are given to us.
Gained by the Cross (1992)
Justification was merited for us by Christ's death on the cross and is given to us in Baptism. We are conformed to God's righteousness so that we can gain eternal life. Paul says, "But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law. Since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift. God justifies him who has faith in Jesus" (Rom 3: 21-26).
Man's Free Response (1993)
Justification establishes cooperation between God's grace and man's freedom. Man assents to God's Word by the Holy Spirit (who precedes and preserves this assent). "When God touches man's heart, man himself is not inactive since he could reject it. However, without God's grace, man cannot move himself toward God's justice" (Council of Trent).
God's Greatest Work (1994-1995)
Justification is God's most excellent work. "Justification of the wicked is a greater work than the creation of heaven and earth" because "heaven and earth will pass away but the elect will not pass away. He also says that justification is a greater work even than the creation of angels because it witnesses to a greater mercy" (St. Augustine).
Justification is the sanctification of man's whole being. "Yield your members to righteousness for sanctification. The return you get is sanctification and its end, eternal life" (Rom 6:19-22).
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