JUSTIFICATION

A Christian term that refers to the forgiveness and total elimination of a believer's sin on the grounds of Jesus' righteousness and shed blood at his crucifixion. An individual is "justified" when "they are brought into right standing and into a right relationship with" God. To most Protestants, this is a direct action initiated by God on the individual; once justified, one is saved forever. To Roman Catholics, it is a byproduct of the sacraments; one loses justification by committing a mortal sin; one regains it through the sacraments.