What is justification in Christian theology?

Justification in Christian theology refers specifically to the act by which God declares a sinner to be righteous on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ. This concept emphasizes the legal standing of a person before God, affirming that through faith, an individual is seen as righteous, not due to their own merits, but because of Christ's sacrifice.

This understanding is rooted in several key scriptural passages, particularly in the writings of Paul, such as in Romans 3:23-24, where it explains that all have sinned but can be justified freely by God's grace. Thus, justification is fundamentally about God's grace and the believer's trust in Christ, leading to a restored relationship with God.

The other options, while they touch on aspects of personal growth or church practices, do not encapsulate the theological and doctrinal essence of justification. It's about a transformative declaration from God rather than a mere moral evolution or membership condition, and it is available to all who have faith rather than being limited to those who have sinned less.