Hi Sonbeam,
I'm not sure which translation you are using. Here is the passage in the NASB:
Romans 3:21-26 (NASB)
21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
As I'm looking at this passage, in vs. 22, righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus for all who believe. Who are the others which you say are also justified? Unbelievers? That doesn't seem to fit to me.
In vs. 25, the propitiation, that is, a suitable substitute sacrifice, is in His blood through faith. And in vs. 26, Jesus is the One who is the justifier of the one who has faith, the believing. I don't see a place where the unbeliever is justified.
Romans 8 says that the one God calls is the one He justifies, and glorifies. This is the redeemed, is it not?
2 Corinthians 5 teaches that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, but that we need to be reconciled to God, though He is reconciled to us. There's nothing on His side against us, but we don't benefit unless we believe. If we do believe, we are justified just like Abraham.
If we don't believe, the wrath of God remains on us. If we don't believe, we remain the children of disobedience, who are by our very nature the children of wrath. But when we believe, we are born again, a new creation, a new person, brand new, never sinned, because I'm new. And that which is born of God sins not.
We are justified, not by some wink of the eye. That was before. Before, God simply overlooked sin, and people lived their lives. When it got too much He did things.
Now, God no longer winks. Not because He is extending less mercy to the world, but more mercy. Now, He doesn't need to wink at sin. He's condemned it in the flesh. And He offers new life in the spirit. That which is born of God . . . And one day to be in the body also.
Can't wait!!!
Much love!
Mark