Faith Alone: Salvation And Judgment Criteria

The Bible says that faith without works is dead. This means that if you have faith, it will be shown through your actions. However, this does not mean that you can earn your way into heaven through good deeds. Salvation is a gift from God and is received solely through faith in Jesus Christ.

While good works will not get you into heaven, they are still important because they are a reflection of your faith. They are also a way to glorify God and thank Him for the gift of salvation.

At the end of your life, you will be judged by your works. This judgment will determine the degree of your reward in heaven, not your eternal destiny. Those who have trusted in Jesus as their Saviour will spend eternity with Him, regardless of their works.

Faith and works are inseparable

So, how can we reconcile the teaching that we are justified by faith and not by works with the idea that we will be judged by our works? One false answer is that when Paul speaks of being justified by faith and not by works, he is referring only to the Law of Moses. However, this is not the case, as Paul's use of the word "law" in Romans 3:20 is not limited to the Mosaic Law. It also includes everyone's responses to whatever law code they may be under.

Another false answer is that the faith that justifies includes works as part of its definition. This claim is based on the assumption that if the Greek word for faith sometimes means "works," then it always includes the connotation of works. However, this is not how lexicons and lexical definitions work.

A third false answer is that we are initially justified by faith, but once we become Christians, we stay justified by our works and are finally judged only by our works. This view is contrary to the very essence of justification by faith.

There are several valid senses in which human beings are judged by their works, even though their final destinies are determined by their faith-relationship with Jesus Christ. Firstly, in the Old Testament, the judgment of which the writers speak is often not eternal judgment but earthly judgment, such as rewarding Israel for covenant faithfulness or pouring out wrath upon Israel's enemies.

Secondly, in the final judgment, an examination of works is necessary to determine the degree of rewards for individual believers. For example, in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, the Bible says, "If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." This also seems to be the point of 2 Corinthians 5:10, which says that every believer will be recompensed for deeds done in this life, good and bad.

Thirdly, works will be cited as evidence of the presence of faith. Justification is indeed by faith, but the faith that justifies is a faith that works. Works thus demonstrate the state of the heart, just as a tree is known by its fruit. The fruit does not determine the kind of tree, but it demonstrates it. Likewise, our works are the evidence of the presence of faith.

In conclusion, while it is true that we are justified by faith and not by works, it is also true that we will be judged by our works. These two truths are not contradictory but complementary. Our works will be evaluated to determine the degree of our rewards in heaven, and they will also be cited as evidence of the presence of faith. Ultimately, our salvation depends on our faith in Jesus Christ, not on our works.

Justification by grace and judged by works - how to reconcile?

The question of whether we are judged by faith alone or by our works is a complex one, and there are a variety of perspectives on how to reconcile the two. Here is a summary of some of the key points and arguments:

False Answers to the Question

Firstly, it is important to address some false answers to the question. One incorrect interpretation is that when Paul speaks of being justified by faith and not by works, he is referring only to the Law of Moses. However, this cannot be the case, as Paul's use of the word "law" in the book of Romans is not limited to the Mosaic Law but also includes Gentiles and Abraham. Another false answer is that the faith that justifies includes works as part of its definition. This claim is based on a faulty assumption about lexical definitions, which is not accurate. A third false answer is that we are initially justified by faith at conversion, but after becoming Christians, we are kept justified by our works and finally judged only by those works. This view contradicts the essence of justification by faith.

Valid Ways to Reconcile the Two Concepts

Now, let's explore some valid ways to reconcile the concept of justification by grace with judgment by works:

• Eternal Judgment vs. Earthly Judgment: In the Old Testament, the judgment spoken of by writers is sometimes not eternal judgment but rather earthly judgment, such as rewarding Israel for covenant faithfulness or pouring out wrath on Israel's enemies.
• Determining Degrees of Rewards and Punishment: In the final judgment, an examination of works is necessary to determine the degree of rewards or punishment for individuals. Believers will be rewarded or not based on the quantity and quality of their works (e.g., Matthew 5:19; Luke 19:12-19; James 3:1).
• Works as Evidence of Faith: Justification is by faith, but the faith that justifies is a faith that works. Works demonstrate the state of the heart, just as a tree is known by its fruit (Matthew 12:33). Our works are evidence of the presence of faith (John 15:1-8; Galatians 5:6; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; James 2:17-18).
• Impartiality of God's Judgment: While God already knows who truly has faith, the judgment by works serves to demonstrate before all that God's judgment is impartial and just (Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:8-9; Colossians 3:25; 1 Peter 1:17)

The Bible says we are judged by our works

The Bible Says We Are Juded by Our Works

The Bible makes it clear that we will be judged by our works and not just by our faith alone. This means that our actions, deeds, and obedience to God's commands will be taken into account when we stand before Him in judgment. While it is true that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9), our faith must be genuine and evidenced by our works (James 2:14-26).

In the New Testament, Jesus himself taught that we would be judged according to our works. In Matthew 16:27, he says, "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds." Similarly, in Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus describes the final judgment, where the sheep and the goats are separated based on their treatment of "the least of these brothers and sisters." Those who showed compassion and care for others are rewarded, while those who did not are punished.

The book of Revelation also speaks of a judgment based on works. In Revelation 20:12-13, it says, "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books." Here, it is clear that the judgment is based on the deeds of each person, as recorded in the books.

Additionally, the apostle Paul also taught that believers would be judged for their works. In 2 Corinthians 5:10, he writes, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." This judgment is specifically for believers and will determine our rewards in heaven, not our salvation, which is secure in Christ (Romans 8:1). However, it underscores the importance God places on our works and actions during our time on earth.

The Bible says we are judged by our faith

The Bible says that we are judged by our faith, but what does this mean?

Firstly, it is important to note that the Bible makes it clear that we are saved by faith alone. This is evident in the following verses:

> "Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24)

> "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

> "To the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness." (Romans 4:5)

However, the Bible also states that we will be judged by our works. For example:

> "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10)

> "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done." (Revelation 22:12)

> "God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” (Romans 2:6)

> "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

So, how can we reconcile these two ideas? Are we judged by faith alone or by our works?

One interpretation is that the judgement by works refers to the determination of rewards in heaven, rather than salvation. This interpretation is supported by several verses, including:

> "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." (Romans 2:16)

> "Each [believer’s] work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss [of reward]; but he himself shall be saved [from hell-he remains regenerate!], yet so as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:13-15)

> "The end result of this evaluation of the believer’s works will be the bestowal or denial of special rewards."

Another interpretation is that the judgement by works is a demonstration of our faith. That is, our works are evidence of our faith, but they do not determine our salvation. This interpretation is supported by the following verses:

> "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds." (James 2:18)

> "Faith without works is dead." (James 2:26)

> "Justification is indeed by faith, but the faith that justifies is a faith that WORKS." (Romans 1:5; James 2:14-26)

> "Works thus demonstrate the state of the heart, just as a tree is known by its fruit." (Matthew 12:33)

In conclusion, while the Bible states that we are saved by faith alone, it also makes clear that we will be judged by our works. This judgement by works can be interpreted in several ways, including as a determination of rewards in heaven or as a demonstration of our faith. Ultimately, our salvation is secure through our faith, and our works are a reflection of that faith.

The Bible says we are judged by both our faith and our works

The Bible says that we are judged by both our faith and our works.

The Bible makes it clear that we are justified by faith alone, and not by works. In Romans 3:28, Paul writes, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Similarly, in Romans 5:1, he writes, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 2:8-9 also states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast."

However, the Bible also states that we will be judged by our works. In 2 Corinthians 5:10, Paul writes, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." This judgment is further described in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15: "each one's work will become evident, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If anyone's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

So, how can we reconcile these two truths? Firstly, it is important to understand that justification and judgment are two different things. Justification is the act of being made right with God, which is a free gift of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Judgment, on the other hand, is the evaluation of our works, which will determine the rewards we receive.

Secondly, it is important to recognize that works are the evidence of genuine faith. James 2:14-26 states, "What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?...Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead...You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." In other words, true faith will always result in good works.

Therefore, we can conclude that while we are justified by faith alone, we will be judged by our works. This judgment will determine the rewards we receive, but it will not affect our eternal salvation, which is secure in Christ.

Frequently asked questions