Faith and Works: Understanding God's Judgment
Summary
In my recent sermon, I delved into the complexities of Romans chapter 2, focusing on the relationship between faith and works in the context of God's judgment. I began by addressing the apparent contradiction between justification by faith and judgment by works, emphasizing the importance of understanding this passage within its broader context, from Romans 1:18 to 3:20. I highlighted that while we are justified by faith, our works will indeed be the basis of God's judgment.
I explored the guilt of both the Gentile and Jewish worlds, pointing out that both are accountable for their actions, whether they had the law or not. I clarified that the Gentiles, who do not have the law but do what the law requires, demonstrate that they have a law unto themselves, written on their hearts. However, this does not justify them before God, as no one is righteous on their own.
I then presented a chiastic structure in the text, which contrasts two groups of people: those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through patience and well-doing, and those who are self-seeking and disobedient to the truth. This structure emphasizes that God, as an impartial judge, will give eternal life to the former and wrath to the latter, based on their deeds.
I also addressed the nature of lawlessness and the importance of understanding Paul's immediate context, which speaks to the guilt of the Jewish world. I stressed that having the law is not enough; one must also be a doer of the law. I reminded the congregation that God will judge everyone by their deeds, and that mere possession of the law or performing religious rituals does not exempt one from this judgment.
Furthermore, I discussed the role of saving faith, which not only believes the truth of God's Word but also acts upon it, yielding obedience to God's commands. I emphasized that good works are evidence of having received justification by faith and that they attest to the presence of true faith.
In conclusion, I urged the congregation to examine their lives for evidence of being in Christ. I emphasized that while our works do not save us, the work of Christ that saves us must produce good works in us, as evidence of our new creation in Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. Justification by faith and judgment by works are not contradictory; they are two aspects of God's righteous dealings with humanity. While faith alone unites us to Christ for righteousness, the faith that justifies is never alone—it inevitably produces good works as evidence of our transformation. [49:33]
2. The presence of the law does not guarantee righteousness; it is the doer of the law who will be justified. This challenges us to move beyond mere hearing and into active obedience, reflecting the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. [06:03]
3. The chiastic structure in Romans highlights the impartiality of God's judgment and the importance of our motivations and actions. Those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through patience and well-doing align themselves with God's purposes, while self-seeking leads to wrath and distress. [12:48]
4. Saving faith is characterized by a response to God's Word that goes beyond intellectual assent. It involves accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, leading to a life of obedience and good works. [43:32]
5. Our attitude towards sin is transformed when we are united with Christ. We work out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing it is God who works in us to will and to work for His good pleasure. This ongoing sanctification process is evidence of our union with Christ and our growth in grace. [48:53]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 2:6-16 (ESV)
"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."
2. Ecclesiastes 12:14 (ESV)
"For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."
3. Galatians 6:7-9 (ESV)
"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
4. James 2:24 (ESV)
"You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."
Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 2:6-16, what are the two distinct outcomes based on the deeds of individuals, and how are these outcomes determined?
2. What does the passage suggest about the relationship between seeking glory, honor, and immortality and receiving eternal life?
3. According to Ecclesiastes 12:14, what is the scope of God's judgment, and what does it include?
4. Reflecting on Galatians 6:7-9, what is the principle of sowing and reaping, and how does it relate to the concept of doing good?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of God rendering to each according to their works reconcile with the idea of justification by faith?
2. What might be the implications of God showing no partiality in judgment, as described in Romans 2:6-16?
3. Considering Ecclesiastes 12:14, how does the idea of God judging every secret thing impact our understanding of accountability?
4. In light of Galatians 6:7-9, how can we understand the relationship between our actions and their consequences in the spiritual life?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: what are the "works" you are sowing, and how do you expect to reap from them according to the principle in Galatians 6:7-9?
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you need to exercise patience in well-doing, as mentioned in Romans 2:6-16. What steps will you take this week to cultivate this?
3. Considering that God will judge every deed, including the secret ones, what is one change you can make to ensure your private actions align with your public profession of faith?
4. Choose one aspect of your life where you can demonstrate active obedience to God's commands this week. What will that look like in practical terms?
5. Think of a situation where you might be tempted to show partiality. How can you prepare yourself to act impartially, reflecting God's character as described in Romans 2:6-16?
Devotional
Day 1: Faith and Works Intertwined
Faith is often seen as the key to salvation, but it is not a standalone concept. It is intrinsically linked to works, as true faith manifests in actions that reflect God's righteousness. Justification by faith is the starting point, uniting believers with Christ and imputing His righteousness to them. However, this faith is not a passive attribute; it is active and living, inevitably producing good works. These works are not the means of salvation but are the evidence of a transformed life, a testament to the genuine nature of one's faith. The deeds done in faith will be the criteria upon which God judges humanity, showcasing His righteous and impartial nature. This understanding calls for a deep introspection of one's faith and its fruits, urging believers to live out their faith through their actions. [49:33]
"For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead." (James 2:26 ESV)
Reflection: How do your daily actions reflect the living faith you profess, and what specific steps can you take to ensure your works align with your belief?
Day 2: Beyond Hearing to Doing
The presence of the law or knowledge of God's commands is not sufficient for righteousness. It is the application, the doing of the law, that leads to justification. This challenges believers to not merely listen to the Word but to actively engage in obedience, embodying the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. The law serves as a mirror, reflecting one's shortcomings and need for God's grace, while also providing a guide for living a life pleasing to Him. The call to be doers of the law is a call to authentic Christian living, where one's actions are in harmony with the teachings of Christ, demonstrating the reality of the Spirit's work within. [06:03]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22 ESV)
Reflection: Identify one command of God you struggle to obey. What practical steps can you implement this week to become a doer of that word?
Day 3: Motivations and Actions Under Scrutiny
God's judgment is impartial, and He examines both the motivations behind actions and the actions themselves. The chiastic structure in Romans reveals a stark contrast between those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in doing good and those who are self-seeking and disobedient. This distinction serves as a sobering reminder that the heart's intentions and the life's pursuits matter greatly to God. Believers are called to align their desires with God's purposes, seeking His glory above all else, and living out their faith with patience and dedication to good works. [12:48]
"For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7b ESV)
Reflection: What motivates your actions, and how can you cultivate a heart that seeks God's glory above personal gain or recognition?
Day 4: The Hallmarks of Saving Faith
Saving faith goes beyond mere intellectual agreement with Christian doctrines; it encompasses a wholehearted acceptance, trust, and reliance on Christ for all aspects of salvation. This faith is characterized by a life of obedience and the production of good works, which are the fruits of a heart transformed by grace. It is a faith that rests in Christ alone, not only for justification but also for sanctification and eternal life. The evidence of such faith is visible in the believer's pursuit of holiness and their response to God's Word with action. [43:32]
"And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments." (1 John 2:3 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways does your life demonstrate the obedience and good works that stem from saving faith, and what is one area where you need to grow in this regard?
Day 5: Transformed Attitude Towards Sin
Union with Christ fundamentally changes a believer's relationship with sin. The sanctification process, which is the evidence of this union, involves a reverent and diligent effort to grow in grace and holiness. It is not a work done in isolation but a cooperative act with God, who empowers and wills His good pleasure within us. This transformation leads to a life that is increasingly aligned with God's desires, where sin is not taken lightly, and the pursuit of righteousness is a daily endeavor. [48:53]
"For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13 ESV)
Reflection: How does your life reflect the ongoing work of sanctification, and what specific sin or habit do you need to address to further align with God's will?
Quotes
1. "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." [01:30]
2. "For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles who do not have the law by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves." [02:26]
3. "Justification by faith, but judgment by works. What does that look like? Judgment by works. Doesn't seem right, does it? Because, I mean, we've been through that. we've heard all we've heard no no basically the only issue is what you've done with christ." [04:19]
4. "Paul's not making the argument that this justifies the man. How do we know that? Because chapter one, verse 18 and following, and because of chapter three, there is none who does good. There is none who seeks after God. There is none who is not, no, not even one." [26:43]
5. "Those who have the law, he's going to judge you by your deeds as well. Yeah, but see, how about if my judgment is based on the fact that I'm connected to Abraham? Oh, no, sorry. Can't do that." [28:56]
6. "The new covenant work of the Spirit produces good works in believers' lives, and those who do such good works will receive eternal life. No contradiction exists with 320, because Paul there excludes good works as a basis for righteousness." [38:30]
7. "For Paul, justification by works, which he rejects, means gaining right standing with God by the merit of works. For James, justification by works, which he accepts, means maintaining a right standing with God by the merit of works." [40:22]
8. "Good works are evidence of having received justification by faith. They attest the presence of true faith. Finally, 1 John 2, 5 and 6. By this we may know that we are in him." [46:56]
9. "The evidence that I belong to Christ is that I desire the things of God. And by his power. I am able to overcome sin in my life completely and immediately. Not so much, but progressively. Yes." [48:53]
10. "There's two groups of individuals. First, there's God, who's sovereign over all, and he is the impartial judge. And God is looking upon two groups of individuals. The first group of individuals, those who by patience and well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality." [16:02]
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