How can a man be considered innocent before God?

Gal.2.16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ,

if we are ever to understand the gospel,  it is vital to understand the term - justification.

My concordance defines this term this way - to render or show or regard as just or innocent.

My Bible dictionary  defines it as - in a legal sense, the declaring just or righteous.

Basically justification is being considered by God innocent, righteous or just. How can a guilty sinful human being be in such a state of justification? It is by faith in Christ Jesus. If Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa and all the famous "good people" were combined into one person, that person still cannot be considered innocent or righteous before God by his own works. Why?

He would still be a child of Adam. He would still have inherited the sin of Adam and his nature hence he would still not be free from the responsibility of sinning against God. His corruption and rebellion would still ever be before God. As human beings we are so sin-corrupted that it is impossible to be considered innocent by God.

Therefore, Christ, the only sinless man, came to the world and by faith in him. We are considered righteous, innocent and just.

The gospel is truly good news sometimes I confess that I even think it is too good to be true but let man be a liar but not God. He declares it in His word. 

I look at my extent of lack of innocence and righteousness and I am astounded, amazed, sometimes bewildered and shocked that I am currently considered righteous and innocent before God through Christ by faith. 

Praise His holy name for in Christ we are/can be partakes of this gift🙌🏿