This age-old question from the book of Job is still being asked today, and the glorious message of the Gospel is that God has provided a perfect and entirely satisfactory way of ''justifying'' the ungodly (see Luke 18:9-14; Romans 5:1-11; 3:26; 4:5).

In Acts 13:38-39, we see that through believing we receive .

Forgiveness of sin (v.38).

Justification (v.39).

Justification is more than forgiveness; it is to be cleared of ALL blame and to be free from EVERY charge. In an earthly court, the judge cannot forgive AND justify a man at the same time. If the judge FORGIVES him, then the man must be guilty, and therefore cannot be justified. If the judge JUSTIFIES him, then he doesn't need forgiveness, because he isn't guilty. God, however, undertakes to both forgive the sinner, and then put him in a new position where there is no charge against him at all (see Romans 8:1; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). God makes it as though he had never sinned.

It is very clear in the Word of God that no one is ever justified by his own efforts (Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16; 3:11). This was the fatal error of the man in the Lord's parable in Luke 18:11-12. No works or resolutions of our own can contribute anything to our justification. It is like a person who has committed a serious crime. All the good deeds that he could ever do would not cause him to be justified in the eyes of the law. In the same way, all the good deeds possible cannot do anything for the sinner.

How can we be justified then?

The New Testament presents us with a number of facts about justification:

1. We are justified by God

God in His love and mercy makes justification a gift to us.

'' . . . he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies the man who has faith in Jesus'' Romans 3:26 (see also Romans 4:5, 8:33; Galatians 3:8).

2. We are justified by grace

We are justified by grace, which is the principle of the covenant provided by God. This means that we are justified without any merit of our own (see Romans 3:24 and Titus 3:5-7).

3. We are justified by blood

A holy God must have just grounds on which to base his release of sinners. This is found in the sinless blood of Christ shed on the Cross. Sin demands the death penalty (Romans 6:23). Since all have sinned (Romans 3:23), all must die - or a representative man must be the substitute. This perfect provision is made in the death of Jesus, the Son of God. Through Him, all the demands of the Law are met, and a holy God is satisfied (see Romans 5:9).

4. We are justified by faith

Faith is the condition of salvation (Hebrews 11:6). Believing on Jesus is the only condition for being justified before God (see Romans 3:22-28; 5:1; Galatians 2:16).

5. We are justified by the resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus is God's guarantee and the eternal and visible proof that He was satisfied with the complete work of Jesus (John 19:30), and that the way has been opened for all who will believe (Romans 4:24-25).

6. We are justified by works as evidence of our faith

Our good works after we have believed are the evidence of the reality of justification in our lives. Although they, themselves, don't gain anything for us, they are the product of our release into the new life God has for us (see James 2:20-24).

The benefits of justification are found in Romans 5:1-11:

We have peace with God Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20; 3:15.

We have access to God Romans 5:2; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 10:19-20.

We have a constant entrance into and acceptance in the presence of God.

We rejoice in the future Romans 5:2; Colossians 3:4; Titus 3:7.

We experience the love of God flooding our hearts Romans 5:5; Ephesians 3:17-19.

We are saved form judgment Romans 5:9.

We are reconciled to God Romans 5:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:19.