Judged By Our Works-Our Work Is to Believe In Christ Jesus.

(Excerpt EJ Waggoner)

Treasuring up Wrath. 

In the first chapter we learned that "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men." 

Rom 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness

Therefore all who sin are treasuring up for themselves wrath. 

It should be noted that in the judgment God is clear. Men receive only what they have worked for. God is not arbitrary. He has not fixed arbitrary decrees, and declared that whoever violates them shall be visited with vengeance. The punishment that will come upon the wicked is the necessary result of their own choice. God is the only source of life.

His life is peace. 

Now when men reject him, the only alternative for them is wrath and death.

"For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord; they would none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them." Prov. 1:29-32. 

Trouble and death are bound up in sin; they are what men choose when they refuse the Lord.

"According to his Deeds."

Unbelievers often say that it is not just for God to condemn a man simply because he does not believe a certain thing. 

But he does not do so. 

Not a word can be found in the Bible about judging a man according to his belief. Everywhere it is said that all will be judged according to their works. 

"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." Matt. 16:27. 

"Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22:12.

He "judgeth according to every man's work." 1 Pet. 1:17.

The man who says that his work is all right, sets himself up as judge in the place of God, who says that every man is all wrong. God is Judge alone, and he judges strictly according to a man's work, but a man's work is decided by his faith. 

"This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." John 6:29.

It is not for any man to judge himself, and say that his work is all right. It is for him simply to trust the goodness and mercy of the Lord, that his work may be wrought in God.