Some people make the mistake of thinking that being justified means that they have to try to be a “better person”. They mistakingly think that if their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds they will somehow find favor with God. This is an all or nothing situation. Either we obey everything in the law perfectly, or we are subject to the curse. There is no in between. Since it is impossible to live a perfect life and never sin, the only way to escape punishment from sin is to have faith in Jesus, who already took our punishment for us.