If I were in debt to the bank and had no money and no possibility of payment, I would be in bondage to the bank. Seeing my plight, my friend goes to the bank and pays my debt so I am free from my debt and therefore saved. I am now justified with the bank.

As Christ died on the cross for our sins we are now justified in Him - forgiven of past sins - given a clean slate.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (KJV)

Romans 3:24

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (KJV)

Romans 5:9

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (KJV)

Romans 5:16-18

16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (KJV)

Galatians 3:11

11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (KJV)

Galatians 3:24

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (KJV)