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JUSTIFY AS DEFINED IN THE BIBLE
I) THE BELIEVER IS JUSTIFIED, I.E., DECLARED ABSOLUTELY RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S SIGHT, HAVING BEEN ACCOUNTED BY GOD AS HAVING THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS CHRIST WHEN THAT INDIVIDUAL TRUSTED IN GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION: THROUGH FAITH ALONE IN HIS SON JESUS CHRIST ALONE
A) [Ro 3:21-22]:
(v. 21) "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, [(no article) = rules of conduct, i.e., works] has been made known, to which the Law and Prophets testify.
(v. 22) This righteousness from God [= an absolutely perfect righteousness] comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe."
B) [Compare Phil 3:8-9]:
(v. 8) "What is more, I [Paul, (v. 8) & all believers, (v. 3)] consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for Whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
(v. 9) and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from law [(no article) = rules of conduct, i.e., works] - but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.'
Notice that to be justified means that one is declared righteous by God all the while being unrighteous. It is not by works done within the sinner or by the sinner, whether God inspired or not. It is a work done by God on behalf of the sinner.
II) ONE IS JUSTIFIED ON THE BASIS OF A MOMENT OF FAITH ALONE IN GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION ALONE: THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
A) [Ro 4:2-3]:
(v. 2) "For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God.
(v. 3) For what does the Scripture say? 'ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.' "
"For what does the Scripture say? 'ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS" = "justified" = declared righteous.
Later on in verse 5 of Romans chapter 4 to be justified is defined as being declared, ("reckoned to him as"), righteousness:
"But to the one who does not work [for justification, (v. 2)] but believes in Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness."
So according to Ro 3:21-22; 4:2, 5 and Phil 3:8-9 this justification - this absolute righteousness "which comes from God" is received "on the basis of faith" alone in Christ alone and not through anything of value within ones actions or oneself.
And being justified is to be considered according to Scripture as being concurrent with being saved unto eternal life - one cannot exist without the other:
(v. 8) "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
(v. 9) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him."