Would we say, "only the Christian"? Christians may find it difficult to believe that only the Christians will receive indignation and wrath in the Day of Christ. But this is what we must accept if we claim it is only the Christian who can gain eternal life by patient continuance in well-doing.

Romans 2:6-8 must apply to the same set of people. If it is speaking of Christian people, then it is only the Christian people whose evil deeds will be rewarded with Divine anger and retribution appropriate to those deeds. It would be better to use the scriptural "every man" and let the Lord explain to us at a later time how people who have never heard the Gospel can hope for eternal life because of their patient continuance in well-doing.

If the Scriptures speak so plainly that Christian people will be rewarded according to their works, where, then, does faith come in? The answer is, faith lives in and is made perfect by works.

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? (James 2:22)

There is no such thing as faith apart from works. By works we mean behavior that is godly, righteous, holy, obedient to God, always trusting in the Lord and seeking His guidance in every situation. We do not mean the works of the Law of Moses or of any other religion or scheme of people by which they hope to please God apart from Calvary.

Faith without works is dead. Faith has its life only in works. There is no such thing as an abstract faith, a faith without expression in behavior. Faith causes us to choose to yield ourselves to righteous behavior. Righteous behavior bears the fruit of holiness. Holiness brings us directly to eternal life in the Presence of God.

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:22)

Where there is no service to Christ, no holiness of personality and behavior, there is no eternal life. It is as simple and clear as that. A profession of belief in Christ does not waive this principle.

Christ will give to every one of us according to our works (Revelation 2:23).

Christ evaluates our works (Revelation 3:2).

We shall receive the things done in our body whether good or evil (II Corinthians 5:10).

We shall reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7,8).

The Communion elements judge us (I Corinthians 11:29).

We shall be rewarded according to our works (Revelation 22:12).

We must persevere to the end if we would gain eternal life (Romans 2:7).

Let us fervently ask the Lord Jesus Christ to cleanse our minds and hearts of the misunderstanding that being saved by grace means God will not judge us and reward us according to our works. Grace is the Presence of God in action in the lives of the faithful, not the Divine excuse for the sins of the believers.

We want the truth at any cost. Do you?

To be continued.