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.Many also believe that, once a person is justified, they are saved forever.

To Roman Catholics, justification is a by-product of the sacraments; one loses justification by committing a mortal sin; one is able to regain it through the sacraments.