Christ died to provide a way for believers to be declared righteous and freed from guilt before God. All people are guilty of sin and deserve God’s punishment, yet God offers forgiveness as a gracious gift, not something that can be earned through good deeds. Justification—being cleared of blame—comes solely through faith in Jesus Christ, who took the punishment for sin upon Himself. Through faith in Christ, believers are released from condemnation and welcomed into a restored relationship with God.