Is it clearer if I say that these words of Paul suggest that he does not understand “legal, forensic justification” as what meets our real need?
Mrs Ozera objected to Jason, “you believe that justification is not just being declared legally righteous, but requires us actually becoming righteous to some degree.” But I find that Paul’s claims that those who obey and actually DO good are the ones declared righteous and get eternal life supports those here who point out that ‘justify’ has the core meaning of actually “making us righteous” or just, not simply treating us as if we are righteous. As Paul puts it, Jesus gave himself to create a people who do “Not LIVE according to the sinful nature.” I find the whole Biblical narrative presents this sort of actual righteousness as the goal God desires to produce and is pursuing.