Justified

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Romans 3:27-31
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Justified
            God makes clear here in these verses that He is the one who justifies us. He has declared the whole world righteous on account of His Son and the meritorious work on the cross. This general justification, however, only benefits us when faith is given and we are individually and personally justified. The faith given to us through God’s Means of Grace, His Word, and Sacraments reaches out and grabs hold of the cross and the merit of Christ for us, for there is no merit in ourselves to boast of. We have done nothing to earn our salvation; therefore, nothing in us can be looked to for justification before God. And that is the point. Justification does not come from obeying the Law. It comes from Christ’s righteousness from God by faith as a free gift. Thanks be to God for this great and wonderful gift. For in it, we have life and salvation in His name.