In the Bible, justification is forensic not ethical.

While the gift of God’s grace enables man to ethically choose what is right over what is wrong rather than conferring a substance upon man, like the Roman Catholic position. That does not mean that justification is an ethical act of God, for if it was he would be bound to condemn all for falling short. However; in His divine sovereignty and providence, God has chosen to forensically declare, as judge and ruler of all, some righteous while simultaneously condemning the guilty. Looking at the Old Testament in Deuteronomy 25:1; we see specifically during the time the Mosiac covenant and the giving of the law, God commands the Israelites to bring their disputes before judges to forensically declare the innocent and the guilty. Then in Proverbs 17:14-15, we see the wisdom of Lord applied to dispute with an enemy again leads to an acquittal or condemnation. Finally, looking at the New Testament in Romans 8:33-34; Paul specifically connects God’s justifying act of the chosen in Christ to the charge given that comes from a dispute. When seen in the full light of Scripture we can easily trace justification back to the enmity between God and the human race, and the need for a declarative act to acquit man of his guilt before a righteous God. The forensic nature of justification provides that acquittal passively to the believer, while the intimate relationship that results actively penetrates and convicts the believer’s heart of their own guilt. By recognizing the guilt, the believer comes before a righteous judge, seeking forgiveness and giving thanks for the promise of life instead of death.