Faith or Works We are Judged
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
This is what I would like to believe. All preachers preach it and you hear it everywhere. All you have to do is believe in Jesus Christ and you will have eternal bliss. Hopefully I believe in Jesus enough to get me to the pearly gates; but what happens once there?
Rev 20: (12) …and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their WORKS. (13) …and they were JUDGED every man according to their WORKS. (14) …This is the second death. (15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
I don’t know how you get around this. You must have good works in order not to be tossed into a lake of fire. I guess the moment you are standing in front of this judgement you are hoping your works were good enough. Can’t help but to worry some about some of the bad works you will surely have written in the book as well, for all works are recorded.
The main point is, is faith- believe in Jesus Christ enough to save you from eternal punishment? It sounds as if Faith alone will not ensure you eternal life in the good place. Is there any real assurance you are good enough? I don’t think so. Maybe if God was to let us know exactly what it takes to guarantee eternal bliss that is basically all we would do and no more. In order for us to aspire and grow we are just given enough and no more. If we want more we are certainly going to have to search for it and chances are each of us will discover something different.
Hello again Preston,
One thing that I would encourage a person to keep in mind when it comes to the scriptures and its discussion on faith and works is that the scriptures never teach that faith alone will save a person. Even John 3:16, when understood properly, teaches about the importance of a faith that acts.
“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:17
“You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” James 2:24
If a person wants to see how a saving faith reacts to God they can read Hebrews 11. Not one of the people mentioned there relied on “faith alone” for a right relationship with God. Their faith did what a saving faith does – it acted on God’s word. That’s the only way the scriptures teach that one’s faith can save them.
Have a great night and take care Preston.
Thanks Eugene for sharing your knowledge of God’s word. I read an article in the newspaper the other day about how a teacher encouraged her students to question authority. She said she didn’t really want her authority questioned, but wanted the students to learn by questioning. She said one learns better when they are inquisitive vice being told things right out. Maybe this is why Christ spoke in parables – who knows. Anyways for my entire lifetime I’ve listen to others speak about religion and basically waited around to be enlightened by them. Never did happen. I was amazed with my dads devotion to God and dads total love for God. Dad wrote many things of which I do not understand nor totally agree with, but he made his path and followed it to the end. I admired my dad for all his dedication to his works and study of prophesy. Dad never doubted God, not in his later years anyways.
So I read the passages you gave and Hebrews 11. It was sort of like 1 + 1 = 2 for me. For the first time this actually clicked for me. It was never up to anyone else to tell me about God’s Word, it has always been my responsibility to learn this stuff. Just now getting around to doing it, thanks to dad. Maybe if I keep this blog of dads going I will learn more and more. With folks, such as yourself coming by, maybe not only will I be able to see but also others whom may read this.
Now I’m thinking of future posts such as “Good Works ~ What Are They?”, “For The Love of God”, and “Servitude and Slavery”. I still don’t understand the love dad and others have for God at the moment. To me God loves the world for he created it with a purpose in mind. In the end, no matter what, this world will be destroyed for even a better world. All of us humans are here to serve God and meet his demands by doing for him. Simply do as He commands and you will have a blissful eternity. If you don’t meet his demands, well hell. At the moment loving God is like loving a General of the army for me. One does as the general commands for not to do so would result in punishment. Some Generals rule by fear and others rule where their leadership produces loyalty. Seldom if ever, is there a devotional love conjured up among the troops over any type of leadership. A soldier shows up to work on time, gives a days work for a days pay, and respects his superiors, this is what is expected. To me God has a plan and we have a hand in it somehow. I want to do what God wants me to do for not to do so is unthinkable. Does coercion produce love? It may produce results but I’m not sure about love.
I’m seeking answers and I’m not trying to be harsh or less than understanding, just saying it as I see it. I certainly understand Works much better. The preacher should be preaching, “Good now that you believe, let us get to work. You, you, and you can help at the soup kitchen, you over there can visit the shut-ins. Over there, you guys can seek the homeless out and pass out these used clothes and so forth. Next Sunday all you show up wearing work clothes for we are going to the home of the Smiths which caught fire and suffered damage, we are going to clean it up. And you folks sitting over there in your pretty clothes and reverent faces without any intention at all of working, well hell.
Thanks Eugene
I am glad I could help. If you think I can help with any other questions the door is open.
Take care Preston.