-Jon Irenicus
Challengers of the doctrine of Justification by faith alone (or sola fide) will every now and then quote Revelations 20:12 to assert that God will actually judge all men according to their works. This particular verse, according to their interpretation, clearly states that faith alone is insufficient for man as means through which salvation is obtained, and must be coupled by human works (or good deeds) in order to have a good standing before God in the Day of judgment. Revelations 20:12 says,
It is true that everybody will be judged by God someday ACCORDING TO WHAT EACH ONE OF US HAD DONE. Those who failed to meet God's standard of perfection will be thrown to eternal damnation (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). On the other hand, those who are found righteous (or perfect) before God will eventually be accepted to his kingdom (Matt. 5:48; Rev. 21:27).
But does this imply works salvation? Well, in a sense maybe, but the Bible tells us that no one deserves salvation:
But....
Salvation is naturally by works (Matt. 19:17). But since no man had worked enough to be qualified for this salvation, Christ finished the job in our behalf. All we have to do is BELIEVE (Rom. 3:21-28).
Christ's merits and atoning death on the cross are altogether sufficient enough to justify a person before God. When a sinner genuinely believe the Gospel, Christ's righteousness is imputed in him. Paul wrote,
Now, regarding Revelations 20:12; God will judge all men according to their works, yes. Those who rejected the Gospel will suffer the eternal consequences of their evil deeds. Those, on the other hand, who accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior will be evaluated according to Christ's merits imparted to them (we will recall that God's act of imputing Christ's righteousness to the sinner will actually consider the sinner to have done the perfect obedience himself);they, therefore, will be saved.
Yes, we are justified by works alone. WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY CHRIST'S WORKS ALONE to be more specific. His works alone is the sufficient basis of our justification. We can do nothing to add something to what Christ has already done. Justification is by God's grace alone which means all works, on the part of man, is totally excluded (Rom. 3:24). Paul said,
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Challengers of the doctrine of Justification by faith alone (or sola fide) will every now and then quote Revelations 20:12 to assert that God will actually judge all men according to their works. This particular verse, according to their interpretation, clearly states that faith alone is insufficient for man as means through which salvation is obtained, and must be coupled by human works (or good deeds) in order to have a good standing before God in the Day of judgment. Revelations 20:12 says,
- "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works." Rev 20:12 (KJV)
It is true that everybody will be judged by God someday ACCORDING TO WHAT EACH ONE OF US HAD DONE. Those who failed to meet God's standard of perfection will be thrown to eternal damnation (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). On the other hand, those who are found righteous (or perfect) before God will eventually be accepted to his kingdom (Matt. 5:48; Rev. 21:27).
But does this imply works salvation? Well, in a sense maybe, but the Bible tells us that no one deserves salvation:
- "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23 (NIV)
- "We know that everything in the Law was written for those who are under its power. The Law says these things to stop anyone from making excuses and to let God show that the whole world is guilty." Rom. 3:19 (CEV)
But....
- "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." Jn. 3:16 (KJV)
- "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." Jn. 3:17-18 (KJV)
Salvation is naturally by works (Matt. 19:17). But since no man had worked enough to be qualified for this salvation, Christ finished the job in our behalf. All we have to do is BELIEVE (Rom. 3:21-28).
Christ's merits and atoning death on the cross are altogether sufficient enough to justify a person before God. When a sinner genuinely believe the Gospel, Christ's righteousness is imputed in him. Paul wrote,
- "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe..." Rom. 3:22 (KJV)
- "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." Rom. 5:19 (KJV)
Now, regarding Revelations 20:12; God will judge all men according to their works, yes. Those who rejected the Gospel will suffer the eternal consequences of their evil deeds. Those, on the other hand, who accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior will be evaluated according to Christ's merits imparted to them (we will recall that God's act of imputing Christ's righteousness to the sinner will actually consider the sinner to have done the perfect obedience himself);they, therefore, will be saved.
Yes, we are justified by works alone. WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY CHRIST'S WORKS ALONE to be more specific. His works alone is the sufficient basis of our justification. We can do nothing to add something to what Christ has already done. Justification is by God's grace alone which means all works, on the part of man, is totally excluded (Rom. 3:24). Paul said,
- "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace." Rom. 11:6 (ESV)
- "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Eph. 2:8-9 (NIV)
- He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Act. 16:30-31 (NIV)
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I would like to comment if you dont mind. I see some thing which I believe are without Scriptural warrant which in turn is causing you to improper conclusions.
ReplyDeleteYou said: "Salvation is naturally by works (Matt. 19:17). But since no man had worked enough to be qualified for this salvation, Christ finished the job in our behalf."
Nick: You seem to be overturning Mat 19, among other passages, as purely hypothetical, when that is nowhere indicated in Scripture. Even more problematic is the idea that Christ lived a perfectly obedient life IN THEIR PLACE. Scripture nowhere says Christ lived a life of perfect obedience in our place. Nowhere does it say Christ kept the Law in our place. I'll gladly rethink my position if you can show me Scriptural evidence to the contrary, but until then I consider that claim without Scriptural warrant.
You said: "Now, regarding Revelations 20:12; God will judge all men according to their works, yes. Those who rejected the Gospel will suffer the eternal consequences of their evil deeds. Those, on the other hand, who accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior will be evaluated according to Christ's merits imparted to them"
Nick: In all the final judgment passages in Scripture, they all say we are judged according to our works. Never do they say sinners are judged according to their sins WHILE Christians are judged according to Christ's works. That is simply improper exegesis. In one of the most famous cases, Mat 25, Jesus says enter into Heaven based on good works the Christian did, not what Christ did for the Christian.
I welcome any feedback or comments about what I said and I thank you for letting me post.
p.s. I would suggest you enable the option to "email me of follow up comments" so that people can keep track of when someone responds to them.
Sorry, it appears you have that option enabled, I just was not logged into google! Lol
ReplyDeleteHi Nick!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by. Let me try answering your judgments regarding my post.
As i read your comment, it seems that your primary concern is about God's imputing of Christ's righteousness to believers.
In fact you said: "Even more problematic is the idea that Christ lived a perfectly obedient life IN THEIR PLACE. Scripture nowhere says Christ lived a life of perfect obedience in our place. Nowhere does it say Christ kept the Law in our place. I'll gladly rethink my position if you can show me Scriptural evidence to the contrary, but until then I consider that claim without Scriptural warrant."
This is your personal opinion. But this is what the Scripture says:
"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, BORN UNDER THE LAW, TO REDEEM THOSE UNDER THE LAW, that we might receive the full rights of sons." Gal. 4:4-5 (NIV)
Probably you would tell me that Paul here is talking about the Jews only ("those under the law" v.5). But such is not the case. All men are under the Law whether Jews or Gentiles. Paul somewhere else states:
"We know that everything in the Law was written for those who are under its power. THE LAW SAYS these things TO STOP *ANYONE* FROM MAKING EXCUSES and to let God show that *THE WHOLE WORLD* IS GUILTY." Rom. 3:19 (CEV)
Moreover,
"FOR ALL HAVE SINNED and fall short of the glory of God," Rom. 3:23 (NIV)
All men, including the Gentiles, are guilty of LAW-BREAKING. Gentiles, therefore, are also UNDER the LAW "For apart from law, sin is dead" (Rom 7:8).
The Jews are under the Law written in tablet and manuscripts. Gentiles are also under the Law written in their hearts (Rom 2:15).
Now going back to the main issue about the imputation of Christ's righteousness to the believing sinner, I have given already the first proof text which is Galatians 4:4-5. It says that Christ was born under the law (or "subject to the law" NLT) in able to REDEEM those who are under the Law (all men). The thought of Christ's imputation of righteousness upon the believing sinner is inescapable in this verse.
Another verse we must consider is Romans 5:19:
"For just as through one man's disobedience many people were made sinners, so also THROUGH ONE MAN'S OBEDIENCE MANY PEOPLE WILL BE MADE RIGHTEOUS." Rom 5:19 (ISV)
Justification, therefore, involves not merely the taking away of sins from the sinner by the power of Christ's blood. It also involves IMPUTATION of Christ's righteousness to the repentant sinner. Christ fulfilled the WHOLE LAW in behalf of those who would receive him. Galatians 4:4-5 and Romans 5:19 say so.
When Christ's holiness is imputed to the sinner, the person is considered to have fulfilled the whole law himself. That is, on the basis of Christ's obedience that he is made righteous (justified).
Jon: As i read your comment, it seems that your primary concern is about God's imputing of Christ's righteousness to believers.
ReplyDeleteNick: Yes, that is the heart of the issue.
Jon: This is your personal opinion. But this is what the Scripture says:
"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, BORN UNDER THE LAW, TO REDEEM THOSE UNDER THE LAW, that we might receive the full rights of sons." Gal. 4:4-5 (NIV)
Probably you would tell me that Paul here is talking about the Jews only ("those under the law" v.5). But such is not the case. All men are under the Law whether Jews or Gentiles.
Nick: Whether it is in reference to Jews only or Gentiles isn't as major as a concern as whether "born under the law to redeem those under the law" means to keep the law in their place. I deny it is, and I believe there is solid Biblical evidence for my claim. The Law here is of course the Mosaic Law, and in Ch3 Paul just got through saying it was abolished/fulfilled in Christ. The Mosaic Covenant literally doesn't exist anymore, it was a temporary institute from Moses to Christ. Gal 3 says the Law was temporary and never designed to save, so even if you kept it perfectly is irrelevant. The "redeeming those under the law" is explained as bringing the Mosaic Covenant to an end, because previously it acted as a "supervisor" to keep men in line and point them to the coming Messiah.
Jon: Now going back to the main issue about the imputation of Christ's righteousness to the believing sinner, I have given already the first proof text which is Galatians 4:4-5. It says that Christ was born under the law (or "subject to the law" NLT) in able to REDEEM those who are under the Law (all men). The thought of Christ's imputation of righteousness upon the believing sinner is inescapable in this verse.
Nick: As I said, I disagree because that's not what "redeem" means, it means nothing about imputing righteousness. The redeeming is in reference to putting an end to the Mosaic Law. Gal 4, esp v24, says men were kept as "slaves" by the Old Covenant, until Jesus came and did away with it. That's what the redemption is in regards to.
Jon: Another verse we must consider is Romans 5:19:
"For just as through one man's disobedience many people were made sinners, so also THROUGH ONE MAN'S OBEDIENCE MANY PEOPLE WILL BE MADE RIGHTEOUS." Rom 5:19 (ISV)
Justification, therefore, involves not merely the taking away of sins from the sinner by the power of Christ's blood. It also involves IMPUTATION of Christ's righteousness to the repentant sinner. Christ fulfilled the WHOLE LAW in behalf of those who would receive him.
Nick: This says nothing about "imputation," nor does His obedience indicate it was done in our place. The passage is merely causative, His obedience opened the door for men to be made righteous, but nothing of that entails living a life of obedience in their place. Heb 5:7-10 is a good example of this, by His obedience He merited the graces to save us, again nothing entails substitutionary obedience (quite the contrary, v9b).
Jon: When Christ's holiness is imputed to the sinner, the person is considered to have fulfilled the whole law himself. That is, on the basis of Christ's obedience that he is made righteous (justified).
Nick: I realize that is the classical Reformed view, but I see nothing of the sort taught in Scripture. The two examples fell short of such a proof, not even using the term "impute" (which Paul was well aware of). Further, the notion of keeping the law (whether you or Christ) as a grounds for salvation is contrary to Paul's teaching that the Law never carried the Promise of Salvation - Gal 3:15-18 is built on this, that Abraham was saved 450 years before the Law even existed, so his salvation literally couldn't have been according to the Law (which is not the same as good works in general, eg Gen 26:4-5).
Hi J.I.!
ReplyDeleteTinubos here. This is the White Throne Judgment. I am a Dispensationalist. In our system, we view this as the Resurrection of Condemnation in contrast with the Resurrection of Life (John 5:29). We believe that no judgment on the believers shall take place before the White Throne, only to the unbelievers.
On that day, the books will reveal that the thoughts, words and actions of those who reject God deserve this punishment.
Sandali lang, mukhang pareho yata yung napili nating template at kulay... hehehe... mukhang pareho ang panlasa natin ha.... hehe... minsan nga pag-usapan natin iba pang mga interes natin.