Judged According to Our Works

In context, Paul was writing to all those in Rome who were loved by God and called to be saints, i.e. all those called to be set apart by God, different from the world, because they were being conformed by God to the likeness of Jesus Christ. So he wrote this to the church, the body of Christ. But just like today, perhaps not everyone who gathered together with the church were true followers of Jesus Christ. And some who were followers of Christ may not have been living fully in line with the gospel of Jesus Christ, either. 

He wrote to them about the gospel, that the righteous live by faith. Then he explained to them that those who live in unrighteousness, who do not honor God with their lives, and who follow after the lusts of the flesh, and who worship and serve the created rather than the Creator, that they are under the wrath of God. And he warned those who had hard and impenitent hearts against hypocritically judging others, and against making sin their practice, for if sin was their practice, they would not escape the judgment of God.

“He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.” (Romans 2:6-11 ESV)

And this is critical that we understand the message here, because this applies to all those who profess faith in Jesus Christ, as well as to all who do not profess faith in Jesus Christ. We are all going to be judged by God according to our works. And this is not “works salvation,” for these are the words of God which he spoke through his servant Paul, and this is written down for us today that we may know and understand that we cannot just profess faith in Jesus Christ and then go on living however we want.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” And to follow Jesus is to obey him. And he also said (and I am paraphrasing part of this here) that if anyone would come after him, he must deny self, take up his cross daily (die daily to sin) and follow (obey) him. For if we hold on to our sinful lifestyles, we will lose our lives for eternity, but if we deny self, die daily to sin, and follow Jesus in obedience, we will have life eternal in him. (see John 10:27-28; Luke 9:23-26)

And John wrote that if we claim that we are in fellowship with God, but while we walk (in conduct, in practice) in darkness (sin), we are liars. And if we say that we know God, but while we do not obey his commandments (New Covenant), in practice, we are liars, and we do not live by the truth. And whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as God is righteous. But whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil. So if sin is what we practice, and not righteousness, and not love for others, we are not of God.

[See 1 John 1:5-10; 1 John 2:3-6,15-17, 1 John 3:4-10]

And Paul wrote that if sin is what we obey, it leads to death, but if obedience (to God/Christ Jesus) is what we obey, it leads to righteousness and to sanctification, and its end is eternal life with Christ Jesus, our Lord. And he wrote that the righteous requirement of the law is fulfilled in us who walk (in conduct, in practice) not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. And he warned us that if sin is what we practice (deliberately, habitually) that we will not inherit the kingdom of God, but we will die in our sins.

[See Romans 6:1-23; Romans 8:1-14; Galatians 5:14-24; Ephesians 5:3-6]

So, you see that it is those people who, by God’s grace, and by God-persuaded faith in Jesus Christ, and in the power of God, are in the practice of daily putting sin to death, by the Spirit, and who are walking in obedience to the Lord and to his New Covenant commands, in practice, and who make righteousness their practice, instead of sin, who have eternal life with God. But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury, even if they profess Jesus.

[Matt 7:21-23; Lu 9:23-26; John 10:27-30; Acts 26:18; Rom 2:6-8; Rom 6:1-23; Rom 8:1-14; Rom 12:1-2; 1 Co 6:9-10,19-20; 1 Co 10:1-22; 2 Co 5:10,15,21; Gal 5:16-24; Gal 6:7-8; Eph 2:8-10; Eph 4:17-32; Eph 5:3-6; Col 1:21-23; Col 3:1-17; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Jn 1:5-10; 1 Jn 2:3-6,24-25; 1 Jn 3:4-10; 1 Pet 2:24; Heb 3:1-19; Heb 4:1-13; Heb 10:23-31; Heb 12:1-2]

A Believer’s Prayer 

An Original Work / July 31, 2012

With my whole heart, Lord, I pray 

To be Yours, and Yours always.

Lead me in Your truth today.

May I love You, and obey.

Lead me in Your righteousness.

When I sin, may I confess;

Bow before You when I pray;

Live for You and You always.

Love You, Jesus, You’re my friend.

Life with You will never end.

You are with me through each day,

Giving love and peace always.

You will ne’er abandon me.

From my sin You set me free.

You died on that cruel tree,

So I’d live eternally.

Soon You’re coming back for me;

From this world to set me free;

Live with You eternally.

Oh, what joy that brings to me.

I will walk with You in white;

A pure bride, I’ve been made right

By the blood of Jesus Christ;

Pardoned by His sacrifice.

https://vimeo.com/114796263