In verse 5, Paul mentioned the day that God's righteous judgement would be revealed. Now, for the next few sections, we will begin to see what that is all about.
He will render to each one according to his works
In my opinion, this is one of the greatest encouragements as well as one of the sternest warnings in the bible. First, what does accord mean?
accord: to be in agreement/harmony with - also can be described as corresponding with.
So, God will render righteous judgement to each person in agreement with or corresponding to the works that were evident throughout that person's life. It's very important that we don't get this confused with the notion that God will judge based on the works in a person's life.
Works themselves have no power to save or condemn, it's the heart that produces these works that will be judged.
In James 1:17,18 we see how important works are as evidence that a heart has truly been transferred from darkness to light:
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
The works that are produced throughout our life are a window to what the true desires of our heart are. As Paul said a couple of verses ago in verse 4, God's kindness is meant to lead us to repentance...if our true desire is to honor God, we will show repentance - a turning away from sin. Simply, according to James, a regenerated heart will produce works that in turn prove saving faith.
Paul, then, throughout his letters, explains how these works themselves have no power to save us. Just a few samples:
For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Romans 3:28
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Eph 2:8,9
These verses very clearly show that we are justified by faith alone. So, to recap: we are justified by faith, a gift of God, that produces good works throughout our life. God's righteous judgement then is in accordance to, in agreement with, or corresponding to, these works that have been a window to our heart.
Encouragement:
Back to my original thought - this is a great encouragement to those whose heart's desire is to serve and honor God - for His glory - because...
to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life...
As Christians, when we look at our life, we will realize how much our life has changed and is changing. Sanctification is the never ending process of God molding us into the image of His perfect Son - and this will be evident in our life. We can be encouraged that this is evidence of the Holy Spirit living inside of us - which according to Eph 1:13,14:
who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
I heard our Pastor say once that if you want to know if you are saved or not examine your hearts true desire. If you can say without pause that your one and only desire is for your life to point to and glorify God alone, then your salvation is evident.
Warning...
The flipside of my original thought that this verse is an encouragement is that it is also a very stern warning to those who refuse to repent because...
but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury
If our life is characterized by blatant, habitual sin that goes unaddressed, if we refuse to repent or show remorse for living in opposition to God - then our hearts desire to serve self before God is very evident - as is our eternal destination.
Each one of us needs to continuously examine the desires of our heart, as well as look at the work that God has been doing in our lives. This is important for us to be encouraged, as well as to give God opportunity to reveal areas that need work - so that we could always be moving towards Him and away from sin.
We are called to examine ourselves now - He leaves no room for excuses on that final day...
Any thoughts? Please share!
I would like to very briefly recap where Paul as taken us so far in these early verses of Romans:
-This is my purpose - to layout and share the gospel of God with you.
-This is who we are in our lost and fallen state - including all of you who think you're not included
-This is God's righteous judgement both on the saved and the lost, according to your works.
NOTE: Next post: 1.5.13
NOTE: Next post: 1.5.13
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