What is ‘justification?’ 

Let's take a look at how the Apostles spoke of 'justification.'

Acts 13:38. "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
39. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.

Romans 3:21. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24. and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 28. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

Romans 4:2. If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God. 3. What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." 4. Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

Romans 5:1. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2. through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Okay, any questions? God does it. We can't do it. It is a gift. It is through faith. It is part of God's Grace. It is given to "the wicked." It covers everything that we couldn't manage to be good enough to control. It comes to us in that wonderful gift of Redemption through the sacrifice of Jesus.