The Grace of Justification: Catechism (Questions 45-47)

10th Wednesday of 2025: The Grace of Justification (Questions 45-47)
Date: March 5, 2025

Many people today believe that they must earn acceptance, whether from others, themselves, or even God. This performance-driven mindset can lead to exhaustion, guilt, or pride. In contrast, the Gospel offers the liberating truth that we are justified—declared righteous before God—not by our works but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Justification is God’s act of pardoning sinners and crediting them with Christ’s righteousness. It is a legal declaration that changes our status from guilty to forgiven, from condemned to accepted (Q45).

The catechism teaches that justification is by faith alone and not by any merit or effort on our part. This means we cannot earn God’s favor; we receive it as a gift through trusting in Jesus Christ, who fulfilled all righteousness on our behalf. His perfect obedience and sacrificial death satisfied the demands of God’s justice, and His resurrection confirms our justification (Q46-47). This truth frees us from the pressure to perform for God’s approval and gives us the assurance that we are fully loved and accepted in Christ.

To dive deeper into this life-changing truth, reflect on questions 45-47 in the catechism. They reveal the beauty of God’s grace and the security of our salvation in Christ.

1. Rest in the assurance that your acceptance before God is based on Christ’s finished work, not your performance.
2. Live in gratitude and freedom, knowing that you are fully forgiven and declared righteous by God’s grace alone.

Transform Our Heart Through Prayer:
Gracious Father, thank You for justifying us through faith in Jesus Christ. Help us to rest in Your grace and to live in the freedom of Your acceptance. Guard us from self-righteousness and insecurity, and fill us with gratitude for the gift of salvation. May we reflect Your grace to others, pointing them to the hope we have in Christ. Amen.