If we are justified by faith not by works, why are we judged by our works? Are works proof of a living faith?
… The dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works. The sea gave up the dead who were in it. Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them. They were judged, each one according to his works. (Revelation 20:12-13 WEB)
There are works of the law and good works of obedience to Christ. Are there also wicked works?
Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice wicked works With men who work iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies. (Psalm 141:4 NKJV)
Are evil works also called works of the flesh?
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 HCSB)
Are evil works also called works of darkness?
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. (Ephesians 5:11 NKJV)
What fruit comes from the Holy Spirit? Is this just an emotion or how Christians behave?
God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways. And because we belong to Christ Jesus, we have killed our selfish feelings and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24 CEV)
Are good works then a fruit?
so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10 NASB)
Is a claim to repentance meaningless without the fruit of a changed life?
Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ … (Luke 3:7-9 NKJV)
Do many profess God, but what they do reveals the opposite?
They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. (Titus 1:16 ESV)
We are not saved BY our works, but our works are evidence of repentance and a living faith, they are what we have been called to, and that’s why our works are the criteria whereby we will be judged.
Sheep and Goats
Does the parable of the sheep and goats also reveal how everyone will be judged when Jesus returns? Does it also contradict a dead faith without works?
When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all his angels, he will sit on his royal throne. The people of all nations will be brought before him, and he will separate them, as shepherds separate their sheep from their goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. (Matthew 25:31-33 CEV)
How will the sheep on the right be blessed, by faith “alone” without works or faith in action?
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger [foreigner] and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ (Matthew 25:34-36 ESV)
Did Jesus commend the sheep for faith that did nothing or faith that did things?
Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’ (Matthew 25:37-40 CEB)
What did Jesus say to the goats on the left?
Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger and you didn’t take Me in; I was naked and you didn’t clothe Me, sick and in prison and you didn’t take care of Me.’ (Matthew 25:41-43 HCSB)
How will He answer their natural question? Was their problem possibly faith without accompanying works?
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:44-46 KJV)
Is there really a difference between Protestants and the ancient churches on this issue? Could it be as some have said, that Protestants believe good works follow faith, and Catholics and Orthodox believe faith and good works are simultaneous? We all believe that salvation is a free gift, that we are saved by grace through faith, not BY our good works.
Yet, a living faith is rich in good works, and a dead faith lacks good works or even does evil works. A living faith is not a faith that is “alone,” not a dead faith, and on judgment day, the evidence of that faith will be our good works. Does faith prompt us to do good things?
So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. (2 Thessalonians 1:11 NLT)
We all fall far short of perfection and need the sacrifice of Jesus to cover our sins. But, have you repented and put your trust in God? Is that repentance and faith evidenced by a change in the direction of your life from evil to good works? You decide!
