JUDGED BY OUR WORKS.

Please, share this lesson with your family, friends co-worker and all who you can, for the expansion of the Kingdom of GOD.

Let us consider the fact that the judgment will take place on the basis of our works. I know this may sound legalistic to some, but the Bible is exceedingly clear on this point. John wrote: “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 .... And they were judged every man according to their
*works*” (Revelation 20:12, 13).

How do we harmonize these words with God’s love and mercy? Is it not contrary to Bible justification for works to be the basis of the judgment? Not at all, if we take into consideration how the works will be judged. It is imperative that we understand exactly how God will measure and test the actions of each individual. What determines whether they are accepted or rejected? Is it the amount performed? If we have enough right-doing to our account, will we be granted entrance? And will we be left outside if the works are not sufficient?

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus described a sizable group who would seek entrance into the kingdom of God. Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: DEPART FROM ME, YE THAT WORK LAWLESSNESS” (Matthew 7:22, 23).

Carefully weigh the words of those last-minute applicants. Jesus did not dispute or deny the truthfulness of what they said. They boasted of having done many works. There was no lack in quantity. The amount was acceptable, but obviously the works were not judged on the basis of quantity—they were denied entrance.

But we are more puzzled when we read about the kind of works these people had done. They were “wonderful” as well as “many.” The quality seems to be good also. Perhaps one of them had donated a million dollars to build a new synagogue; yet they were not allowed entrance. The mystery deepens. What other factor could possibly account for the severe sentence, “depart from me, ye that work iniquity”?

The answer is found in the last book of the Bible, and when we read it, the entire puzzle suddenly falls into place and pulls into focus. In Revelation 3:15 God says, “I know thy works.” Of course He does, because He has kept the record and will be the final judge. But let’s read on, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15, 16).

There is the secret of the whole matter! Our works will be judged at last, but not by the weight or the height. They will be judged by the heat! In other words, all of our obedience must spring forth from a heart of burning love and devotion to God. The motive will be uncovered and examined by the all-seeing eye of God. No amount or kind of human works will carry any degree of weight in that day unless they have been produced by a fiery love relationship with Jesus.

Here we come to the paradox of the faith-works issue. Works are either worth everything or they are worth nothing. They are a sweet savor of incense before God or they are an abomination.

All depends on the motive and who is providing the strength to perform the works. Works of the flesh are man’s efforts to save himself, but works of love rising out of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit are exactly the opposite. They stand forth as the authentic credentials of genuine faith and love.

God has not changed that test since the Garden of Eden. He still requires exactly the same kind of obedience. The only difference is that in Eden our holy unfallen parents had, by nature, the power to obey. Unfortunately, as the children of post-fall Adam and Eve, we have inherited carnal natures which are not subject to the law of God, except by the miracle of conversion and “Christ in you.”

This is why Jesus declared, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). And to the rich young man who asked, “What shall I do to be saved?” Jesus replied, “Keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17).

There is no contradiction in these two statements of the Master. None can be saved without experiencing the new birth, and none can be saved who walk in willful disobedience of the commandments. The two things operate as two parts of the same salvation experience.

The central truth in all these utterances is that none can obey who has not been converted, and none will deliberately refuse to obey who has been converted. Let no one persuade you that works are unimportant or unnecessary, or that keeping the commandments is legalism.

But do examine your heart with great care to determine the hidden root of the fruit which adorns your Christian lifestyle. If conformity to God’s law is the spontaneous outflow of your joyous, continuous connection with Christ, then whoever would charge you as a legalist would be exposed as judgmental and self-condemned.

On the other hand, your works of love would stand forth as the very antithesis of legalism, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

To learn more about our lord Jesus christ, the Word of God, and the Sabbath, please visit your local Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Or please visit us at Rossville Seventh-day Adventist Church, located at 1737 Mission Ridge Road, Rossville Georgia 30741

Pastor; Greg Hudson

Services start at 11am on Saturday (Sabbath) morning.