I am coming round firmly to this position. Not out of any shallow, exploitative, desire to carry on sinning, but because of what it cost Jesus to achieve salvation for us. The incentive for good works is surely that Jesus now regards us as brothers and therefore we cooperate in our sanctification with His spirit because we love Him. However I have heard evangelical preachers, unthinkingly perhaps, use the parables of the bridesmaids with oil-less lamps to shake us up a bit. Also used is Jesus warning some people that "I never knew you", even though they had done Christian things.
But I wanted to ask about the statements in the NT which seem to argue for salvation by works. Romans 2:6,7; Revelation 20;12, even Matthew 25;31+
How do you read these? Are they for believers?
I will address only the Romans 2 context. I do not wish to go all over the bible and get in a battle. I will say that I think Revelation 20:12 and Matthew 31:25ff are easier to refute any concept of justification by works. I will choose Romans 2.
NON-PARTIALITY
The context of the statement in 2:6 has a conclusion in 2:11. "
For there is no partiality with God." Gods judgement of evil or good has no partially and no favorites. Romans 2:6-11 are articulating that in Gods judgement that there is a principle of non-partiality. God is not partial to unbelievers who suppress the knowledge of God (cf Rm 1:18) and are without excuse (Romans 1:20; 2:1). Neither is God partial to believers who live the lives God regenerated them to live (Rm 2:7, 10, 13). In any case, Romans 2:6 is an OT quote from Psa 62:12. The quote is used as an argument to establish the conclusion found in Romans 2:11 "
For there is no partiality with God."
REGENERATION
I would agree that unless one understands the doctrine of regeneration correctly, Romans 2:6 and many other texts can sound like salvation by works. 1 John 2:29 has regeneration in the phrase "born of him." Being "born of him" results in a righteous life (not sinless). 1 John 2:29 "
If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him." We do works, that is true. Verse 6 is not saying we do works to be saved. It is saying we do works because we are saved and will be rewarded accordingly without impartiality.
JUSTIFICATION
I believe there is a practical righteousness that is the result of regeneration that is displayed in Rm 2:6. I also see imputed righteousness in verses like Romans 4:6. "
just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:" However, I do not think this is relevant to Romans 2:6. This is a substitutionary or imputed righteousness in our justification. While both are true (we have a substitutionary righteousness in Christ and a practical righteousness because of regeneration) because of the context in verse 7, and the concept of "
perseverance" the statements in verse 6 relate to a practical and personal righteousness (not total sinlessness) that comes from regeneration. The concept of justification is in Romans 3 and 4, but has not yet entered the discussion in Chapter 2.
FINAL COMMENTS ON REGENERATION
Romans 2:27-29 use the term circumcision. This is of course a spiritual circumcision. Paul is drawing very heavily from Deuteronomy 30:6 and many other passages in the OT. It also alludes to the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:33. Why do we as Gentiles keep the law? It is not by our own power and ability. It is part of a gift God has given believers. Let me quote Jeremiah 31:33... "“
But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the LORD, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Notice where the law is!! We are practically righteous not because we are naturally righteous! We grow in sanctification and practice righteousness because of what God has done inside our hearts. Read verse 33 again! He has placed his law on our hearts. Why do believers lives more righteous and God honoring lives than unbelievers? It is not our work for God!!! It is not our work for salvation!!! It is Gods work in us!!!!!!!! It is his law upon our hearts!
Saved by works... not a chance... works because we are saved... absolutely!