According to his works

Collins Concise Dictionary defines the word work as:

1. Physical or mental effort directed towards doing or making something.

2. Paid employment at a job or trade, occupation or profession.

3. A duty, task or undertaking.

4. Something done, made etc., as a result of effort or exertion: a work of art.

In light of the above definitions it would be fair to say that a person's works are the sum of their deeds; whether good or bad. A good, loyal worker is highly prized by an employer.

The phrase "according to his works" is found in the Holy Scriptures relating to a person's manner of life and their works before God.

In the New Testament Scriptures, we read in: Matthew 16:26-27 "(26) For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (27) For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works."

In the Old Testament Scriptures we find these words, "...Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?" (Proverbs 24:12).

What is the main premise contained in these verses? Surely it is that the true and living God holds each of us accountable to Himself for our deeds in this life. Obviously, there is a coming time of reckoning when God will require us to answer for our actions. How do you think you will shape up when your complete life on Earth is reviewed?

Perhaps you are one of those people who do not believe in a coming judgement. Maybe you think you are living a good life and that you have stored up enough good deeds to see you safely into Heaven. Many people would agree with you! However there is one big flaw in this - God's salvation does not work on a merit system! If it did then Jesus Christ the Son of God would not have had to die on a Roman cross to pay the penalty for your sins. As He did die to pay the price of your sins; why was this necessary?

In the Book of Romans in the New Testament we learn that, "...the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23). You could say to me "That's ok if you are a sinner, but I'm not a sinner." Let's see what Romans 3:23 tells us.  "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Did you notice the word all? It includes you! You certainly cannot refute that people die every day. Here is the reason - the wages of sin is death.

If that was the end of the matter it would be a hopeless situation. The apostle Paul writing to the Ephesian believers in Ephesians 2:1-2 stated, "(1) And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, (2) in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience," Before they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ they were in God's eyes "dead in trespasses and sins".

Ephesians 2:4-5

"(4) But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
(5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),"

Ephesians 2:8-9

"(8) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
(9) not of works, lest anyone should boast."

Take note of what is stated here. Saved through faith - not of yourselves. Why? Because through God's grace, salvation is His gift to us. Also take note, it is a gift. It is not achieved by anyone working for it. God will have no one boast in His presence that they achieved salvation through their own merit! Salvation comes to you by faith, by you believing God and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. There is absolutely nothing that you can do to save yourself through your own works!

Verse 8 sums it up beautifully, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

Don't let anyone fool you into thinking that your so called good deeds will earn you a place in Heaven. You have just learned that until you are saved these so called good deeds are worthless in God's eyes. "...who were dead in trespasses and sins..." Good deeds acceptable to God start as soon as you are saved - not before.

Ephesians 2:10 states, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Let's return to Romans 6:23 and look at the complete verse.

Romans 6:23

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." What do you do with a gift? You simply receive it! You don't have to work for it, or pay for it. It becomes yours when you decide to receive it and own it.

However, there is also a negative aspect to this. You can refuse the gift and not make it your own. If you refuse the gift of salvation and eternal life; you are choosing Hell, appearing before the great White Throne and being cast into the Lake of Fire forever. (Revelation 20:11-15)

"He will reward each according to his works."

Are you safe for eternity? If salvation by your own works was God's chosen way there would have been no reason for God to begin a new covenant through His Son, Jesus Christ. In Ephesians chapter 1 we read these words, "In Him [Jesus Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:7)

Still not sure? Remember procrastination is the thief of time. It is also the thief of souls!

Jon Peasey

Words of Life blog www.jrpeasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

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