In a previous thread, the question was asked if Christians would be “judged” for speaking idle words on Judgment Day. The implication being, that justified believers can expect to face judgment, side by side with spiritually dead reprobates.

This has troubled me, because I have been taught that judgment will be performed by none other than the Person who redeemed my soul on the cross; Christ the Son, who by His death, has already suffered judgment and the full wrath of God in my stead.

Jesus Christ has been given authority to judge and condemn the works of wicked men; but the works for which I will give account in the eyes of God, will be solely His righteous works imputed to my account.

I continued to ponder how it could be, that the very Redeemer who paid the price to remit all my sins (past, present, and future) with His blood, would bring any charge against me as His adopted elect, according to the Scriptural principle of Romans 8:33-34.

So for comfort I turned to the WCF, the LC, and to the writings of Calvin in His “Institutes” and found these encouragements:

From the Larger Catechism

Q. 70. What is justification?

A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace unto sinners, in which he pardoneth all their sins, accepteth and accounteth their persons righteous in his sight, not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them, and received by faith alone.

Q. 71. How is justification an act of God’s free grace?

A. Although Christ, by his obedience and death, did make a proper, real and full satisfaction to God’s justice in the behalf of them that are justified; yet in as much as God accepteth the satisfaction from a surety, which he might have demanded of them, and did provide this surety, his own only Son, imputing his righteousness to them, and requiring nothing of them for their justification but faith, which also is his gift, their justification is to them of free grace.

Q. 72 What is justifying faith?

A. Justifying faith is a saving grace, wrought in the heart of a sinner by the Spirit and Word of God, whereby he, being convinced of his sin and misery, and the disability in himself and all other creatures to recover him out of his lost condition, not only assenteth to the truth of the promise of the gospel, but receiveth and resteth upon Christ and his righteousness, therein held forth, for pardon of sin, and for the accepting and accounting of his person righteous in the sight of God for salvation.

Q. 87. What are we to believe concerning the resurrection?

A. We are to believed, that at the last day there shall be a general resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, when they that are then found alive shall in a moment be changed; and the self-same bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave, being then again united to their souls forever, shall be raised up by the power of Christ. The bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by the virtue of his resurrection as their head, shall be raised in power, spiritual, incorruptible, and made like to his glorious body, and the bodies of the wicked shall be raised up in dishonour by him, as an offended judge.

Q. 90. What shall be done to the righteous at the day of judgment?

A. At the day of judgment, the righteous, being caught up to Christ in the clouds, shall be set on his right hand, and there openly acknowledged and acquitted, shall join with him in the judging of reprobate angels and men, and shall be received into heaven, where they shall be fully and forever freed from all sin and misery; filled with inconceivable joys, made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul, in the company of innumerable saints and holy angels, but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, to all eternity. And this is the perfect and full communion, which the members of the invisible church shall enjoy with Christ in glory, at the resurrection and day of judgment.

From Calvin’s Institutes, Book II, Chapter XVI, Paragraph XVIII

“It is most consolatory to think, that judgement is vested in him who has already destined us to share with him in the honour of judgement, (Matth. 19: 28) so far is it from being true, that he will ascend the judgement-seat for our condemnation. How could a most merciful prince destroy his own people? how could the head disperse its own members? how could the advocate condemn his clients? For if the Apostle, when contemplating the interposition of Christ, is bold to exclaim, "Who is he that condemneth?" (Rom. 8: 33,) much more certain is it that Christ, the intercessor, will not condemn those whom he has admitted to his protection. It certainly gives no small security, that we shall be sisted at no other tribunal than that of our Redeemer, from whom salvation is to be expected; and that he who in the Gospel now promises eternal blessedness, will then as judge ratify his promise. The end for which the Father has honoured the Son by committing all judgement to him, (John 5: 22,) was to pacify the consciences of his people when alarmed at the thought of judgement.”

__________________
Ronda Rush
Church of the Redeemer
Independent Reformed
California


" . . .It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

I think this means both believers and unbelievers are judged. Believers are not judged for salvation (remember they had nothing to do with getting it), but will be for the deeds done in the flesh. There will be rewards and losses, but not a loss of salvation. We do not have much specificity about this in Scripture to go on.

That should be a real motivation for believers to live right in this life and try to please God by obeying His revealed Will (His Word).

For the unbeliever, their deeds will be used as just condemnation to their consignment to hell fire and damnation forever.

__________________
Scott
PCA
North Carolina


"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)"
Hebrews 10:23

O.K.

I seem to think this question has less to do with rewards and punishments, than it has to do with Justification and Imputed Righteousness.

What exactly do you think Christ's justification of our sins achieved? What exactly is the value of His imputed righteousness to our accounts before God?

Should not these two achievements and gifts of Godly grace be effective on our behalf on the day of judgment? If not, for what purpose are they taught?

Are you saying that sanctification comes by works in addition to faith; and escaping fear of judgment depends upon one's obedience, rather than resting in God's grace?

Are you not proclaiming a gospel of justification by faith, plus works?

.

Amen.

We are to do so out of love for God and thankfulness for His great mercies and grace.



No, I guess this is the basis for my discomfort.

I consider all legalities to have been settled in God's court of Law (the cross).

Jesus Christ fulfilled all righteousness under the Law, as federal head and on behalf of all His represented children, and forensically satisfied all Godly justice by His vicarious work and death on the cross, as Mediator in their stead.


So, if all legalities and justice have been satisfied for Christians by Christ, why would they be required to answer in any forensic sense before God, at all?

I am not antinominian, for I believe the moral sanctification worked by the indwelling Holy Spirit in all believers, is according to the moral laws of God, but I also believe Christians can and should rest in the legal accomplishments and righteous works of Christ, and not fear being held legally accountable for any forgiven sins on Judgment Day.

What sins can we commit that Christ did not already suffer the full wrath and judgment imposed by God?

TeachingTulip;


1Cr 3:10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it.
1Cr 3:11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1Cr 3:12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw--
1Cr 3:13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done
1Cr 3:14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.
1Cr 3:15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

It's not that our works will save us, but God is clear when He tells us our works will be judged --will they be found as gold and silver? or will they burn away like wood, hay or straw?

What type of works are we doing? What is our motivation?

__________________
Bobbi Clark
Covenant Member
Pinewood Pres. (PCA) Middleburg

When I kept Silent, My bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. Psalm 32:3

Are you seeing "judgment" as necessarily a condemning one? "Not guilty because of the cross" is also a judgment and one I hope to hear on that day.

__________________
Paul
No denomination, affiliated with FIEC
"Deliver me from worldly dispositions, for I am born from above and destined for glory" - Valley of Vision
"They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation" - Peter

Comment below.

We are justified by faith in Christ's rightousness and blood and accepted for Heaven. We are not more or less justified and adopted, at the moment we exercise faith and forever, than the saints in Heaven. All our sins past, present and future up until the moment of death are covered by justification.

Regarding our sanctification ,as well as other motivations, we are often in Scripture told that there will be different rewards in the heavenly kingdom to motivate us in our sanctification. Our entrance into Heaven is already assured by our justification.

E.g. Luke 19:15-19
"When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.' And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.' And the second came, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made five minas'. And he said to him, 'And you are to be over five cities.' " (ESV)

I think what Rev. Winzer recently said here:-

Degrees of Punishment

is very useful/helpful:

__________________
Richard
communicant member, FCoS
Perth, Scotland UK

His Name forever shall endure;
last like the sun it shall:
Men shall be blessed in Him,
and blessed all nations shall Him call (Ps. 72:17)

For reference, the following is from What is the Judgment Seat of Christ / Bema Seat of Christ?

Romans 14:10-12 says, “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat…so then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Second Corinthians 5:10 tells us, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” In the context, it is clear that both scriptures are referring to Christians, not unbelievers. The judgment seat of Christ, therefore, involves believers giving an account of their lives to Christ. The judgment seat of Christ does not determine salvation; that was determined by Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf (1 John 2:2) and our faith in Him (John 3:16). All of our sins are forgiven, and we will never be condemned for them (Romans 8:1). We should not look at the judgment seat of Christ as God judging our sins, but rather as God rewarding us for our lives. Yes, as the Bible says, we will have to give an account of ourselves. Part of this is surely answering for the sins we committed. However, that is not going to be the primary focus of the judgment seat of Christ.

At the judgment seat of Christ, believers are rewarded based on how faithfully they served Christ (1 Corinthians 9:4-27; 2 Timothy 2:5). Some of the things we might be judged on are how well we obeyed the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), how victorious we were over sin (Romans 6:1-4), and how well we controlled our tongues (James 3:1-9). The Bible speaks of believers receiving crowns for different things based on how faithfully they served Christ (1 Corinthians 9:4-27; 2 Timothy 2:5). The various crowns are described in 2 Timothy 2:5, 2 Timothy 4:8, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4, and Revelation 2:10. James 1:12 is a good summary of how we should think about the judgment seat of Christ: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

P. S. I am not necessarily endorsing every word above, just providing info.

__________________
Jim
1689 LBCF
Independent Bible Church
North Texas, USA

I have a hard time wrapping my brain around the concept, too. It would seem that I am to believe that I cannot hope to do any work great enough to earn my salvation, but that I can do works which will determine the level of my reward once I am in Heaven. If my works are the result of His Spirit working in me, and I cannot take any credit for my good works because they come from Him, how is it that we will be judged according to those works?

__________________
Rich Brown
Deacon/Webmaster
Aisquith PCA
Parkville, MD

You still did the good works, by God's grace. There could be no rewards in this life either if we were not rewarded for what we do by God's grace. It's of grace whether we do anything, whether we are saved or unsaved.

It's of God's grace if someone is able to hold down a job and be rewarded by a wage, rather than be in a wheelchair or six foot under. Is that unfair?

God rewards progress in the Christian life and use of gifts, which are all of his grace. The thought of these rewards helps us as Christians be inspired to greater progress in sanctification and use of our gifts, time, money, etc.

Would it be fair and just, if I shone with as much or more glory as e.g. Spurgeon or Calvin in Heaven?

Is it right that swimmers and runners who compete according to the rules and win get medals, gold, silver and bronze? Of course.

But if they were strictly theological they would acknowledge that even in this area it is all of God's grace (common and/or saving) that they were able to do what they did.

Every true Christian will get the medal of Christ, because every true Christian is in the race, but would it be right for a Christian who makes slow progress in sanctification and squanders his gifts or produces only a little fruit from his gifts, to get the same as someone who uses his gifts to the max, and makes great strides in sanctification?

Rich,
They are rewards of Grace and we will cast our crowns (rewards) at His feet in worship realizing how it is all of His grace and nothing from us to boast about.
Jim

__________________
Jim
An Elder, Harvest Reformed Church (RCUS),Minot, ND
http://www.harvestreformedchurch.org/
http://tbftgoggi.wordpress.com/

Upon a life I did not live; upon a death I did not die, Another's death, Another's life, I'd rest my soul eternally
Omnia dicta fortiora,si dicta Latina
Si vis pacem, para bellum

If I understand Ephesians 2 correctly, we are not saved BY good works, but FOR them.
We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus FOR goods works that we should walk in them.
Good works are what we walk in, not what we are saved by.

__________________
Ralph
Pastor
Valera Baptist Church
Valera, Texas

I want to preface this by letting everyone know that I am not bashing the confessions But this quote troubled me

Why were the Scriptures not the FIRST place you turned? This is a terrible trend when we turn to a man made document before the Word of God.

__________________
Joseph F Scibbe
Chaplain Assistant
Chapel of Wings Ft Rucker Al
Ephesians 1:4-7, 1 Thessalonians 2:8, Romans 12:1-2
Titus 2:2 - But you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

http://twitter.com/just_joe_scibbe

My friend Mark Jones wrote about this on his blog earlier this year. This post describes the thoughts of Thomas Goodwin and John Owen on this matter. It includes the idea that there are two aspects to justification.

__________________
Tim Lindsay
member, Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, Halifax, NS, Canada
Living in Cape Town, South Africa
"under the Southern Cross, at the foot of Table Mountain, not far from the Cape of Good Hope"

Salvation is by grace (God's unmerited, unearned favor) through faith (a supernatural faith God gives that allows us to abide in that faith forever) in Christ's righteousness alone. This is Sola fide, one of the key doctrines of Scripture.

This spares us from eternal damnation for our sins because, in a miracle of God, the perfect righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, as if it were our own, according to the good pleasure of the will of God determined in eternity past.

This allows believers to be forever in the presence of God, with new glorified bodies. That in itself, is incredible beyond our understanding.

But what we do in this life will also be a basis for the perfect judgment of our Lord with rewards and losses that will pertain to the world to come.

You may be asking about Sanctification here.

Remember, God totally, completely 100% does:
1) election,
2) effectual calling,
3) regenerates,
4) gives saving faith,
5) justifies
6) adopts us into the Body of Christ

We have no part in getting any of these, they are gifts from God. He alone can give them.

But sanctification, as I understand it, is a cooperative process between us and God. Now that He has changed our nature, we are truly free to obey God, both from right motive (of the heart) and externally with the behavior.

An unbeliever cannot do both of these. That's why when an unbeliever does a "good deed" is not acceptable in a salvific way to God because it is not done with a right heart to obey God. The reformer's called these works by unbeliever's acts of "civil virtue." They are "good" on one level, society may benefit from them, God uses them as He works things together for His own purposes, but they are not acceptable as perfect obedience to God because they are not done with a right heart. And... God looks at the heart too.

So, a believer can now please God by truly obeying Him (both from the outside and from the heart).

This is what Christ will judge His own for- and He will do so perfectly.

As I understand it

I didn't read all these answers so if someone has already said this then just see it as me agreeing with what they said. First we need to come to this question with Christ in mind as being central to all things. In the last day when we are judged, we have to ask WHY we are being judged and what that means. As Scott said before, our judgement will not be a condemning judgement for Christ was condemned for us on the cross. So why bring up all of our sins and reminded all of creation of the things we did? Well, the reason for God to announce the sins we have committed before all of creation has nothing to do with us but has everything to do with Christ. It is quite important that He achieve all the glory due Him. By telling of our sins and telling how He paid for our sins, He achieves that glory. For example, if I were to buy you a car, the only way I would get credit for helping you out is if I were to tell everyone that I bought you that car. If my deed was not told, then I would get no credit. It's the same with Christ. I, as a human being, do not know each and every sin that you have committed (I don't even know each and every sin that I have committed). If every one of your sins is not announced before all of creation and then His pardon announced for that sin, how will He receive due glory for all that He has done for you? Our aim should be for Him to receive all glory due Him even if it means that each of our sins will be judged in light of what He has done for us. So our judgement of sins on the last day will not be condemnation, but instead, our judgement will be a "This is what she did and this is how Christ paid for what she did" and we will be pleased and grateful to hear this announced bc it will please us to glorify Him. We will not feel shame or condemnation on that day but everlasting love and gratitude towards Him. All of our good works will be judged in the same way for the same reason. He will recall all the good works we did. He will say, "My child did this good work by the Holy Spirit working that good work in them bc I did that good work when I walked on the earth and My good works were imputed to her." Try to remember that the word judgment isn't always negative. Christ will be our judge and He will judge what we've done in light of what He has done. Hope that makes sense.

__________________
sarah
WI
OPC
My Pastor's Sermons: Mark Jenkins...he's awesome!!!

You have stated my sentiments, exactly.

In fact, Christians are commanded to "rest" from their own works. Failure to do so is a form of "disobedience." Hebrews 3:18-4:11

I consider my "reward" on Judgment Day, to be found standing WITH Christ at the throne (I Corinthians 6:3), at His right hand (Matthew 25:33), and He continuing to intercede on my behalf, as my Advocate.

"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." I John 2:1

I believe Christ's role as my High Priest and Mediator will continue to be effective, even on that Day:

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25

-----Added 9/11/2009 at 02:14:53 EST-----

Thank you for this rich post. I appreciate greatly these quotes. I have read quite a bit of John Owen, and it is from him that I have formed a lot of my views and gained great assurance of my faith and ultimate salvation in the Lord.

I bolded the portions that reflect my current beliefs. I agree teaching a "double justification" is dangerous and patterned after Rome. I believe a rigid distinction must be kept between justification and sanctification; neither being synergistic.

No sin will get us the punishment it deserves, eternal damnation.

So, what are the consequences of sin when a Christian disobeys God?

The Christian suffers all the miseries that come as consequences of their sin here in this world, a sense of loss of fellowship with their Creator, and some sort of judgment for it in the life to come- not to lose salvation but in terms of reward, loss of reward, other losses, we don't know exactly because Scripture does not tell us with much specificity.

The Larger Catechism summarizes the doctrine of Scripture this way:

Scott,

I want to thank you very much for your responses to my OP, for indeed I seek to know how others view these matters and the reasons for their conclusions.

With all due respect though, you are applying Scripture and the specific LG teachings on reprobation to this subject, which is invalid.

None of this applies to regenerated saints who have been adopted by grace into the family of God.

The temporal miseries of sin apply to believers also. Sin is not without consequence to believers- not in this life nor in the life to come.

Sanctification here shows us there is a "war" with sin in the life of the believer, "fear" of God in doing wrong, "corruption" that remains.

-----Added 9/11/2009 at 03:44:11 EST-----

Repentance, out of love for God (and fear of disobeying Him) is commanded of believers. That's because there are consequences for believers sinning, both in this life and the life to come (not a loss of salvation, however).

Remember, repentance is an ongoing process, a basic part of the Christian life. It involves:
1) confessing sin
2) forsaking sin
3) making restituion/reconciliation as much as within your power

This is because there are consequences for it. The Lord's atonement covered their ultimate penalty in terms of salvation, but does not free us from all consequences in this life or the next.

In fact, we have some reason to believe (not a completely clear case), but some basis to believer scripturally that God will even cut the life short of a believer who gives himself more and more over to sin.

-----Added 9/11/2009 at 03:52:55 EST-----


This is talking about believers- and the severe consequences of walking a disorderly life, contrary to one's profession.

-----Added 9/11/2009 at 04:13:13 EST-----

Another aspect of Christians suffering the consequences of their sin (and make no mistake about it, God ordains the consequences) is reflected here:

Notice Christians incur God's pleasure, are deprived of some measure of their graces and comforts, bring temporal judgments on themselves.

Here are the Scripture proofs for these propositions. Notice these Scriptures are not exclusively directed at "the reprobate:"

The Scriptures and Question 28 of the Larger Catechism you quoted pertain to the misery of sin in this world for those souls remaining under the Covenant of Works.

To learn about the Christian's standing under the Covenant of Grace, questions 31-36 all apply. The regenerated elect of God do not suffer such terrible miseries from sin in this world, because they are indwelt by God's Holy Spirit "who enables them unto all holy obedience, as the evidence of their faith and thankfulness to God, and as the way he hath appointed them to salvation." (Question 38 LG)

Besides, the subject of the OP is not the ramifications of sin in this world, but whether Christians will resurrect to face punishments and judgment for sin in the next world.



Agreed, but the believer has quick and sure remedy for his sins. He has a faithful High Priest who, when sin is confessed, "is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from unrighteousness." I John 2:9

I see the difference between unrepentant sin and repentant sin to be a like difference between day and night. Scripture that describes the miseries of reprobate souls, left by God in their sins, and guilty of death for failing to keep the Covenant of Works, describes an exact opposite of the condition of saints who have been raised to new spiritual life and enjoy the benefits of the Covenant of Grace.

And it is regenerated souls to whom the following pertains:

Westminster Confession of Faith

Chapter XIII
Of Sanctification
I. They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection,[1] by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them:[2] the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed,[3] and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified;[4] and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces,[5] to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.[6]

II. This sanctification is throughout, in the whole man;[7] yet imperfect in this life, there abiding still some remnants of corruption in every part;[8] whence arises a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.[9]

III. In which war, although the remaining corruption, for a time, may much prevail;[10] yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome;[11] and so, the saints grow in grace,[12] perfecting holiness in the fear of God.[13]


Chapter XV
Of Repentance unto Life

I. Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace,[1] the doctrine whereof is to be preached by every minister of the Gospel, as well as that of faith in Christ.[2]

II. By it, a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature, and righteous law of God; and upon the apprehension of His mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God,[3] purposing and endeavouring to walk with Him in all the ways of His commandments.[4]

III. Although repentance is not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof,[5] which is the act of God's free grace in Christ,[6] yet it is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it.[7]

IV. As there is no sin so small, but it deserves damnation;[8] so there is no sin so great, that it can bring damnation upon those who truly repent.[9]

V. Men ought not to content themselves with a general repentance, but it is every man's duty to endeavor to repent of his particular sins, particularly.[10]

VI. As every man is bound to make private confession of his sins to God, praying for the pardon thereof;[11] upon which, and the forsaking of them, he shall find mercy;[12] so he that scandelizeth his brother, or the Church of Christ, ought to be willing, by a private or public confession and sorrow for his sin, to declare his repentance to those that are offended;[13] who are thereupon to be reconciled to him, and in love to receive him.[14]
[/quote]

Under the Covenant of Works, repentance is commanded. And all men fail to repent.

Under the Covenant of Grace, repentance is granted by God. See II Timothy 2:25; Acts 3:26, 5:31, 11:18.


I am not unwilling to discuss this further, but it is drifting off-topic to my OP. And I have already given answer as to how confession of sin, cleanses us from sin, so that there should be no further consequences in this life or the next.



Again, this is off topic. Perhaps you would like to start a new thread . . .

Yes.

The problem is your answers do not at all line up with Scripture or the Confessions.

-----Added 9/11/2009 at 04:42:19 EST-----

Ronda,

There are so many errors in what you are saying, it's hard to know where to begin.

-----Added 9/11/2009 at 04:54:55 EST-----

-----Added 9/11/2009 at 05:15:51 EST-----

.

Jesus does the good works and pays the penalty for our sins in the case of justification.

We do the good works in the case of sanctification by God's grace.

Sanctification isn't a "let go and let God" scenario. We are involved. But we cannot take the credit for anything good we do in the process of sanctification because it can all be traced to God's grace.

The heavenly rewards are rewards of God's grace, as in a real sense are all rewards - For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? (I Cor. 4:7). There is nothing wrong with God rewarding people for things they have done or not done by God's grace.

If there were something wrong with it there could be no rewards at all even in this life by one human being to another.

Quote fromTeaching Tulip
There won't be any punishments for believers in the heavenly kingdom (!!!) but there will be different rewards. Of course there will be no envy of other's rewards.

The works of the regenerate to the extent they come from a true motive and are presented to God through Christ are acceptable to God and worthy of reward by God. But the believer will ascribe and trace anything good he does or doesn't do ultimately to the grace of God, the sanctifying power of Christ's blood, and the vivifying power of the Holy Spirit.

None of the works of the non-believer are of this nature.

I may be mistaken about this, but didn't Moses and David live under the Old Covenant; specifically the Mosaic Covenant of Law? Yes, God in His grace, gifted them with faith in the Covenant promises of a future Savior, who would come from David's seed, but this only "fore-signified" the performance of the Covenant of Grace during the incarnation of Jesus Christ:

Q. 34. How was the covenant of grace administered under the Old Testament?

A. The covenant of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the passover, and other types and ordinances, which did all fore-signify Christ then to come, and were for that time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah, by whom they then had full remission of sin, and eternal salvation. (LG)




No arguments against these teachings, which define Sanctification.



This teaching is Dispensational, not Covenantal, so not very helpful to me.

Besides,

" . . The scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." Romans 10:11

"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." Philippians 1:20

"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." II Tim. 1:12

"And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." I John 2:28


I did not disagree with the Scripture Gomorus presented. We will ALL "appear" at the judgment seat of Christ. My question has to do with what will happen there.

My hope is that my faith in the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ will be counted as doing good. My hope is that repentance and confession of my sins during my lifetime and trusting in Christ to keep me cleansed, will be counted as doing good. I fully expect to be "without spot and blemish" on that Day, according to the promise of Ephesians 5:25-27, for this Scripture reveals the purpose of God was:

" . . .Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."

I also believe the wisdom of the Westminster Divines who give these assurances to the elect sons of God:

"Notwithstanding, the persons of believers being accepted through Christ, their good works also are accepted in Him; not as though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreproveable in God's sight; but that He, looking upon them in His Son, is pleased to accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with many weaknesses and imperfections." WSC Chapter XVI, Article VI

"Although hypocrites and other unregenerate men may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favour of God, and estate of salvation (which hope of theirs shall perish); yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love Him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before Him, may, in this life, be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed." WCF Chapter XVIII, Article I

And I repeat this fine quote from John Owen provided by Tim, teaching on the LG Question 90:

" . . .the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms do not speak of a second justification but of an open acknowledgement and acquittal on the Day of Judgment. “What shall be done to the righteous at the day of judgment? A. At the day of judgment, the righteous, being caught up to Christ in the clouds, shall be set on his right hand, and there openly acknowledged and acquitted”


Nothing there mentioned about reviewing the sins of His people; rather they are "openly acknowledge and acquitted!" Wonderful hope of mercy and glory!

(I see now that you are editing your posts, after my responses, so I will have to go back and see if there is anything else that I should clarify.)

In reformed theology, there are two overall covenants- the covenant of works that was broken by Adam and placed mankind under the curse of sin and death, and the covenant of grace that God began immediately after Adam's sin. (Actually, there are three- a "covenant of redemption" that is implicit, often not explicitly stated. It represents the agreement between the members of the trinity to bring about redemption)

In the Old Testament, the covenant of grace looked toward the promised Messiah and redeemer, Jesus Christ.

In the New Testament, the covenant of grace looks back at the promised risen Savior and redeemer Jesus Christ.

Old Testament believers were saved by the same substance (grace through faith) as we are today. They suffered for their sin as we do today. The temporal suffering of sin was the same for Moses and David as today, even though they were in the Old Testament.

Old Testament believers were under the covenant of grace as are we.

In a sense, yes.

But Believers too are commanded to repent. You can see that throughout the Westminster Standards covered above.

-----Added 9/11/2009 at 07:35:42 EST-----

Not entirely.

These passages are addressed toward the use of the law and disobedience of God's law by both believers AND unbelievers. Look at the catechism questions carefully, some here are addressed to believers, some to unbelievers, some to both.

All suffer for disobedience.

Dr. MacArthur is describing the sense in which believers suffer loss at the judgment seat. He is not talking about dispensationalism.

Yes, the imputed righteousness of Christ "justifies" us before God and spares us the punishment of eternal damnation and allows us to enter the presence of our Lord forever.

I'm glad in this statement you are recognizing repentance and confession of sins is required (not one time, but as an ongoing process) of every believer.

One cannot be acquitted if charges are not brought.

As far as perseverance of the saints (not sure that was a part of the post), yes we are eternally justified and preserved by God who did everything to save us, we did nothing to save ourselves. Likewise, we can do nothing to "unsave" ourselves.

Glory be to God for that!

I assume you do know that this is a matter of debate within the Reformed camp. What you claim is the conclusions of Infralapsarians, who think grace was provided by God after the fall.

But then, there is the Supralapsarian view.


Huh? No charges?

Imputed sin is the legal rendering and charge of sin issued by God against all the offspring of Adam; the sentence against such crime to be a sure and inescapable death penalty. (Romans 6:23)

Justification (forgiveness and legal pardon of such legal charges of sin) is the forensic accomplishment of Christ on the cross, achieved on behalf of His people.

So what is your next argument . . . .?

How many other ways do you choose to differ with Scripture and the Westminster Divines?

.

-----Added 9/12/2009 at 07:31:33 EST-----

As your profile professes to hold to the Westminster Standards, you must be greatly confused, because you are refuting it at every turn.

Not understanding it is one thing. Repudiating it is another.

I don't know if it would be a form of punishment for me to have my sins declared on the Day of Judgement. I'd just be happy to be Home and to also receive an unmerited reward for what I've done with God's grace, by God's grace.

Whether our sins are declared on the day of judgement or not, I believe we will have an insight into God's works of providence (individual and collective history) that we do not presently have, so that we may praise Him for how He has woven His grace and Man's rebellion, to our good and His glory.

We will know things that the greatest minds in archaeology and history have puzzled over. In the Heavenly realm we'll have the greatest history lesson(s) ever. That will include the history of sin. Our hearts will swell with thankfulness in a way they do not here, when we realise how we were delivered.

On the one hand, the Confession summarizes the doctrine of Scripture to say all men will be judged based on what they have done. All are required to do "good" works, believers and unbelievers. WCF 33:1, summarizes Scripture to say all men will appear to do this- believers and unbelievers.

But only believers can indeed do good. (WCF 16:6)

On the other, it says that neglecting to do them at all is more sinful. (WCF 16:7)

We don't have a great deal of specificity, but we do understand a judgment (not the consequence of eternal damnation) for believers.

It might be more accurate to look at what a believer who does not do much "good" as losing reward rather than receiving punishment. I don't know. It's not the loss of salvation, but there are promises elsewhere of rewards in Heaven for some, in Heaven.

Salvation and being with God forever are wonderful enough, and it is, but there is even more. We just don't know much about it, it is reserved to the secret counsel of our God.

But we do know, there are rewards for obedience, and consequences for disobedience... even for believers.

My concern is the possibility of the N.T. church establishing a meritorious system and again imposing obedience to law upon believers to achieve or earn favor with God, instead of stressing His gift of grace through faith in the obedience of Jesus Christ, alone.

There is a danger when persons are motivated to achieve rewards, or fear losing rewards, to begin to strive to do outward good works in the flesh, despite being warned by God to not come short of "entering His rest" by not ceasing from our own works in the flesh. (Hebrews 4:1-11; Galatians 3:1-7)

We begin to hear teachings in the churches about adding works to our justification to ensure our ultimate salvation, rather than being properly taught the doctrine of Justification By Faith, alone.

Faith is totally trusting in the works of Jesus Christ and the imputation of His righteousness, for salvation unto everlasting life.

Scott is not at all teaching what you state. Scripture says to work out your salvation with fear and trembling meaning that we are to take the kingdom of God by violence meaning by the workings of the Holy Spirit we are actively mortifying our sin and being conformed to the image of Christ. We are not active in our justification process which is a once time deal with which I believe everyone on this board agrees. However, we are active via the Holy Spirit in our sanctification process which will give us eternal rewards. Some ppl will have greater rewards than others bc that is how God decided it would be which is completely just and fair for none of us deserve any rewards without being in Christ. Just as He predestine us for salvation, He also predestined our good works in which we would walk.

Back to your OP, however, we will be judged for all our actions good and bad. We will not be judged in the same manner as the lost. To judge His ppl, is not a negative thing that will happen. He will hold up your sins (which, yes, were forgiven at the cross) and then announced how that sin was forgiven in order to give Himself due glory. I'm not sure why that bothers anyone if our chief aim is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Our good works will also be judged. All the good works that you have done will be announced and told how the Holy Spirit worked those good works within you, thus, giving glory to God. Scripture does tell us to try and out do each other in godly works. We do this via the Holy Spirit and we do it to receive the greatest reward we can inherit. These rewards will be cast at Christ's feet in the end.

We are entirely passive in Christ's work of making a righteousness for us and in regeneration.
When we are converted we stop trying to get right with God by "good" works. Our justification from all our sins past, present and future is signed and sealed forever.

We are not passive in ongoing faith, repentance and sanctification. These develop and grow throughout our Christian lives. But at the same time we would never do any of these things apart from God's special grace, so we can't boast about them. But since all we do is of God's grace in one form or another, we shouldn't be boasting.

The rewards of heaven are heavenly rewards which begin on earth e.g. to shine more brightly for Jesus:-

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)

Does it taint our sanctification, good works and use of gifts to desire to shine more brightly for the Lord ? Clearly - from what He's placed in His Word - Christ doesn't think so, and we cannot be holier than Him. It didn't taint Christ's righteousness that a reward was held out to Him.

We need to make a clear distinction between justification and sanctification, otherwise we can become antinomian on sanctification and have a passive "let go and let God" attitude.

On the other hand if they are confused as per Rome, we have the problem of works righteousness.

See Al Martin's series on sanctification. It's probably online somewhere. He uses John Owen and John Murray a lot.

I champion clear distinctions being made between Justification and Sanctification; I do not believe saving faith is passive, but good works evidence the regeneration of the Holy Spirit in those who confess Christ.

And I have sat under a lot of Al Martin preaching.

I would be interested in knowing what you and Sarah think about the biblical exhortation in Hebrews 4:1-11 regarding entering God's rest. What does that passage mean to you?

Are we truly resting in Christ's righteousness if we are keeping score of our own "good" deeds and the rewards they might bring?

Are we truly resting in the cross work and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, when we fear we might be shamed by even one sin on Judgment Day?

Absolutely I am resting in Christ's imputed righteousness on my behalf and I'm taking the kingdom by violence (or I should be... I fail much of the time), and yes I'm looking forward to that day when I receive my rewards which I will receive only bc of Christ's imputed righteousness on my behalf! Yes, I try to out do my brothers and sisters in good works bc Scripture tells us to do so....and then I turn around and give God the glory for doing all those good works in me! We do rest in His imputed righteousness but resting doesn't indicate napping. It means to have faith in the fact that He has imputed His righteousness onto us and now it's time to get up and take the kingdom by violence and work out our salvation (sanctification) with fear and trembling.

Can you give me the Scripture reference that encourages this? I truly have never heard this said before.


Is it Christ's imputed righteousness by which you militantly arm yourself? Is taking the kingdom by violence the reason that Christ's righteousness was imputed to the sons of God? (Imputation does not mean "infusion.") So a Scripture reference to explain your thinking here, would also be appreciated.


". . .For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13

New Testament (or Old Testament) believers, all under the "covenant of grace," cannot possibly earn salvation because the fall has left them without ability to perfectly obey God. Only Jesus can and did that. God requires perfect obedience, but man disobeys. Only Christ perfectly obeyed and He lived a perfect life and died a perfect death as sacrifice for our sins.

That's why faith in Christ's righteousness alone is what justifies us in God's sight.

But reformed theology also summarizes Scripture to say that there is much use for the law:

1) to point to our need for Christ
2) to restrain evil
3) as a mirror of what the Christian life should look like

We are "free" from the law in the sense it will not condemn us on the judgment day. The unbeliever will be judged by it, and condemned by it, justly by his Creator.

But it is a rule of life for the believer. It outlines God will for our lives, and reveals what pleases and displeases Him. Trying to keep the law, in that sense, is very much a part of the life of the believer.

A believer ought constantly be measuring himself up in accordance with the Word of God, repenting as God reveals his disobedience in thought, word and deed.

There is a much use for the law in the life of the believer.

How do you show honor?

Yes, it is Christ's righteousness that I "militantly" arm myself in order to mortify the flesh. The flesh is no weak foe that you can blow over with the puff of wind. This is a fierce spiritual war in which we are engaged. I know that imputation doesn't mean infusion. If I thought Christ's righteousness was infused into us, then I wouldn't think that I have a spiritual war against my flesh on my hands bc I would be completely righteous already....I'm not roman catholic.

I see you have found the last Scripture (Phil 2:12-13) and as I have said repeatedly we work out our sanctification (vv 12 states this) by the working of the Holy Spirit (vv 13 states this).

If I might quickly interject here, the lapsarian question has nothing to do with the topic; adherents to both schemes follow the two covenant system. Without violation of the covenant of works, it would be nonsensical to speak of the covenant of grace.

__________________
Paul Korte
OPC
Flint, MI

They who perceive in themselves discoveries of the divine goodness, so full and absolutely perfect, and who make them the subject of earnest meditation, will never embrace new doctrines, by which the very grace they feel so powerfully in themselves is thrown into the shade. --John Calvin

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