The word "justified" means to be declared righteous. Righteousness only comes by a "gift". This giving of the gift of righteousness which is Christ's alone is what brings salvation as in going to be with the Lord when we leave this body of flesh.
The finished work of Christ is that all sin has been taken away by Him and that all those that believe when they hear the message of Christ - are sealed with the Holy Spirit and they become new creations in Him and they are declared righteous because of Christ's work alone - not by what we do or don't do.
The finished work of Christ means that He alone has obtained eternal redemption for us. Heb. 9:12 - secured by His blood.
The righteous shall live by faith.
The proper understanding of His righteousness will also in this live bring the grace needed to walk out what already is in side us in the new creation in Christ.
Not being able to discern the "word of righteousness" will leave spiritual babies in our understanding.
Looks like it is time for "scripture" again in the area of righteousness. Why do people fight so much against the work of Christ and instead live by their own humanistic religious thoughts? Why don't we believe in Christ? Why are we continually denying Him and what He has done?
I can give what the scriptures say about righteousness and believers that are "in Christ" now. Everyone can believe what they want too.
The understanding of the new creation in Christ and the new identity of the believer is paramount to living the true Christian life.
Here it says our spirit ( the inner person that is a new creation in Christ ) is alive because of righteousness that it is it.
Romans 8:10 (NASB)
[SUP]10 [/SUP] If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
Here righteousness is a gift - you don't earn it.
Romans 5:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17 [/SUP] For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
We have grace reigning in our lives because of righteousness in us.
Romans 5:21 (KJV)
[SUP]21[/SUP] That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Here righteousness comes by faith.
Romans 9:30 (KJV)
[SUP]30 [/SUP] What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Here when we believe - we are righteousness.
Romans 10:10 (KJV)
[SUP]10 [/SUP] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
We are in the kingdom of God.
Romans 14:17 (KJV)
[SUP]17[/SUP] For the kingdom of God ( Jesus said that the kingdom of God is within you..He might know a thing or two ) is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Here it says that God made us righteousness in Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:30 (KJV)
[SUP]30 [/SUP] But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
This says we have become the righteousness of Christ ( this is called a dependent clause in the greek - it is determined as fulfilled because Christ became sin )
2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
[SUP]21 [/SUP] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Believers are called righteousness.
2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV)
[SUP]14 [/SUP] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
Here it is saying that "righteousness comes by Christ".
Galatians 2:21 (NASB)
[SUP]21 [/SUP] "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."
Here we have the breastplate of righteousness - which is the armor of God that we are to be strong in.
Ephesians 6:14 (KJV)
[SUP]14 [/SUP] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, andhaving on the breastplate of righteousness;
This talks about the new man in Christ - the new creation which has been created in righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:24 (NASB)
[SUP]24 [/SUP] and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Ok..that's enough..there are tons more....
righteousness comes by doing what is right through faith...Just as Daniel, Job, and Noah were delivered by their own righteousness (bible 101)