Chapter 8, Verses 28-30 Part 15

In our previous essays, we have considered God as the law‑giver, God as the apprehender of his broken law, and God as the judge of all the earth judging righteously.  In this essay, we will consider the basis of God's judgment in His court room of justice. 

Jer. 32:19 reads, "Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."  Coupled with the above we read in Rev. 20:11‑13, "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell gave up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."  Now it is very plain that the basis of God's judgment is according to man's works.  Now there are two types of works of men.  There are good works and there are evil works.  Even in man's system of judgment we are not brought to judgment for our good works.  We are brought to judgment based on our evil works (sin).

God's system of justice is an all or none system.  By this I mean if you break even one of God's laws you are guilty of transgression of the entire law!  James 2:10, 11 verifies this principle, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill.  Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law."  Thus if I had only broken just one small item in the law one time and had kept the rest of the law perfectly for all of my life then I am still guilty of the entire law!    

As concerning the universal guiltiness of man under the law based on man's evil works we read in Rom. 3:19, 20, "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."  Likewise Gal. 3:10 reads, "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." 

Based on our works we have nothing to plead before God that would justify us.  Some have thought, "Aren't my good works weighed in the balance with my evil works and if the scale of justice tips toward the good, then will I be justified?"  The answer is a resounding NO!  Even in man's justice we can't argue that since I kept the law most of the time that I should be found not‑guilty for the times I broke the law.  We are judged for breaking the law, not for keeping the law.  The scriptures are clear that our good works do not save us from our sins: II Tim. 1:9, "Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."  Likewise, we are not chosen of God to be his people based on our works: 

     A.  Rom. 11:5, 6 ‑ "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.  And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.  But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." 

     B.  Rom. 9:11 ‑ "For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth." 

Additionally, we are not born of the Spirit based on good works:               

     A.  Tit. 3:4, 5 ‑ "But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." 

     B.  Eph. 2:8‑10 ‑ "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." 

When it comes to God's justice and our standing before him based on performing works of righteousness Isa. 64:6 sums it up with these words, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities as the wind, have taken us away." 

In our next essay we will look at the case for our defense – Jesus Christ.