The Great Divide Series

This week, Steve Jalsevac, Co-Founder and President of the Christian LifeSiteNews wrote: “I have lived in Canada for my entire life, and I’ve never seen a time like this in our country. Radically liberal bills are being passed left and right: from Ontario’s “totalitarian” bill that allows the government to seize kids from Christian homes, to the new national law that threatens prison for refusing to use someone’s “preferred pronouns.”. (http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=3b519162c561a81f1ee4736a3&id=c29b1c1b4f&e=699df868f8 ). There used to be a time in Canada where the recognition of our nation’s Christian heritage meant that legislation, public discourse and popular media reflected a judeo-Christian worldview. So much has changed that there exists a “Great Divide” between a biblical worldview and popular ideas. At a time when people in this country celebrate its 150th anniversary, living as a Christian today in Canada should be such a clear contrast to what’s around us. Yet consciously or not, Christian by in large are so influenced by the world around them that they fail to notice how this has impacted their thought patters and actions.

From the beginning of the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul has explained the nature of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For news to be classified as good, there must be a corresponding “bad”. There is “bad news” for the rejection of the “Good News”. There are consequences for individuals and societies for their actions.

In Romans 2:6–10 Paul draws a clear line between two classes of people, this “Great Divide” shows the only two classes that exist: the saved and the unsaved. He explains first 1) The Dividing of Deeds (Romans 2:6), then showing the differences between 2) The Deeds of the Unredeemed (Romans 2:8–9), and finally 3) The Deeds of the Redeemed (Romans 2:7, 10),

1) The Dividing of Deeds (Romans 2:6). Speaking of God’s righteous judgment:

Romans 2:6 6 He will render to each one according to his works (ESV)

Paul emphasizes in Romans 2:6–10, declaring plainly that God will render to each one according to his works/deeds (cf. Rev. 20:12-13). This is a quote from Ps. 62:12. It is a universal principle that humans are responsible for their actions and will give an account to God (cf. Job 34:11; Prov. 24:12; Eccl. 12:14; Jer. 17:10; 32:19; Matt. 16:27; 25:31–46; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; Gal. 6:7–10; 2 Tim. 4:14; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12). Even believers will give an account of their lives and service to Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10). Believers are not saved by works but are saved unto works (cf. Eph. 2:8–10 [esp. 2:14–22]; James and I John).( Utley, R. J. (1998). The Gospel according to Paul: Romans (Vol. Volume 5, Ro 2:6). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.)

God does not judge on the basis of religious profession, religious relationships, or religious heritage. An issue on the day of judgment will not be whether a person is a Jew or Gentile, whether he is a heathen or orthodox, whether he is religious or irreligious, or whether he attends church or does not. An issue will be whether or not one’s life has manifested obedience to God. On that day “each one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12). In his sovereign grace and love, God rewards (or condemns) people for their faithfulness in accomplishing what has been assigned to them (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans (Vol. 12–13, p. 92). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)

Please turn to Matthew 7 (p.812)

The subjective criterion for salvation is faith alone, with nothing added. But the objective reality of that salvation is manifested in the subsequent godly works that the Holy Spirit leads and empowers believers to perform. Although justification is indeed by faith, judgment will be according to works. It is that the day of judgment will be a public occasion. Its purpose will be less to determine God’s judgment than to announce it and to vindicate it. The divine judgment, which is a process of sifting and separating, is going on secretly all the time, as people range themselves for or against Christ, but on the last day its results will be made public (Stott, J. R. W. (2001). The message of Romans: God’s good news for the world (pp. 83–84). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)

A person’s actions form an index to their character and salvation status. Jesus explained this:

Matthew 7:15-27 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (ESV)