I agree that we've talked about this before, and I think that back then I acknowledged that many verses could be taken either way. I've never done a count so I don't know what the majority is. I just say that there are BOTH judgments.
The simple fact remains that this idea really doesn't follow the Scriptures. Men are judged based on how they utilize the graces from God. No, they don't earn anything, because NO ONE can say "look what I done by myself".
To me this still seems like a 180 degree contradictory statement. In the second sentence you say that men are judged for salvation on what they do. In the third sentence you say no one earns anything for salvation because of what he did. You can have one or the other, or neither, but you cannot have both. :)
But it is very clear that we are to obey commandments and we are subsequently judged FOR HEAVEN OR HELL based on our following God's will.
And yet you just finished telling me that we do not merit entry into Heaven. Perhaps the entire concepts of "merit" or "earning" or "works" have theological meanings that appear no where in dictionaries. That must be the case since I have never been able to even follow this line of reasoning. :)
[From Luke 13:24-30: (with commentary)] Strive to enter in at the narrow gate; (ouch, that hurts the "God does everything" idea, doesn't it?) ...
Not at all. The Bible was written FOR us, not FOR God. "God doing everything" includes His putting those words there so that someday I will read them and be motivated to follow them. We humans need motivation and God uses different methods of accomplishing that. A large amount of that is contained in the encouragements and teachings we get in the Bible.
[continuing] ... for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in and shall not be able.
True, false believers exist and will be turned away at the end. OTOH, true believers have already had their places made in Heaven by Christ Himself. (John 14:2-3)
If you agree with that concept, then you agree that even Christians will be scrutized for heaven or for hell. The Bible makes it clear that Christians will also be scrutinized. Those found in Christ will be granted mercy and will not be subjected to God's judgment - a fiery wrath. Now, what will God use to "weed out" the good from the bad? Our actions. Nearly every book of the NT discusses that our eternal end will be dependent upon our response to God's good graces through our actions.
I wrote "Men are judged based on how they utilize the graces from God. No, they don't earn anything, because NO ONE can say "look what I done by myself".
You responded To me this still seems like a 180 degree contradictory statement. In the second sentence you say that men are judged for salvation on what they do. In the third sentence you say no one earns anything for salvation because of what he did. You can have one or the other, or neither, but you cannot have both. :)
I suppose I am not making myself clear. God gives us the gifts, whether spiritual (to fight sin or to be virtuous) or physical (to be strong or healty). Thus, at the end of the day, HOW can we come to God and say "I deserve this", because our gifts to serve him have been given to us by Him? However, it doesn't follow that because God has given us every good gift, that we are not involved in a free will response to His commands.
It is akin to receiving a vacuum for a present. Without it, I couldn't clean the floor. With it, I can choose to use it or not. I will not be able to go to God and say "Look, I cleaned the floor, I deserve something". We are only servants doing what we are expected to do - as Eph 2:10 states. Thus, the "why" I vacuum" is not to receive a reward, but as a loving response as part of the covenant with God. This is the response that the People of God, both OT and NT, are expected to provide to God.
God, being righteous, has promised a reward, eternal life, to those who obey Him. We have received the first fruits of this eternal life even now. We CAN love our enemies! Wow. Amazing. Eternal life has begun within us, because only by CHRIST can we love our enemies. This is proof of the beginning of our reward.
However, if we choose NOT to vacuum, despite the command, despite the ability given, God will judge accordingly. Thus, when God will scrutinize us, He will take into account how we obeyed Him - whether we used the gifts He has given us or not. At what point we give up our inheritance in this world, we cannot say.
And yet you just finished telling me that we do not merit entry into Heaven. Perhaps the entire concepts of "merit" or "earning" or "works" have theological meanings that appear no where in dictionaries. That must be the case since I have never been able to even follow this line of reasoning. :)
Sure there is. Look up "merit" in the Catholic Encyclopedia, and you will find two types of merit, a primary and secondary sense. It will explain the difference.
We humans need motivation and God uses different methods of accomplishing that. A large amount of that is contained in the encouragements and teachings we get in the Bible.
Which is exactly why we do not believe in Sola Scriptura. In two sentences, you have twice denied it.
True, false believers exist and will be turned away at the end. OTOH, true believers have already had their places made in Heaven by Christ Himself. (John 14:2-3)
Problem is that we don't know who the true believers are... I've known people who think they are true believers fall away and become atheists. Presumption is not something true believers have. We place our hope in Christ and pray for our PERSEVERANCE! Thus, if one presumes that they already have a place in heaven for themselves, they are not a true believer.
Regards