Really? Let me just pick a couple.
Titus 1:16
“16 They profess that they know God; but in works THEY DENY HIM, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate”.
Revelations 20:12
“12 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”.
Now, were they judged by their faith, or by their works? Do you feel the judgment is just to determine who believed in Christ? If belief is all that's needed, then why the judgment of works, why the need for repentance? If faith were all that was needed, why preach repentance at all?
Of course there are several others, but do you really believe these back your argument?
Yes, especially the first one.
“16 They profess that they know God; but in works THEY DENY HIM, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate”.
We were talking about leaders who lead people astray and so this is a perfect illustration of what I’ve been saying. I’m surprised actually that you don’t see it.
Revelations 20:12 “12 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”. [Reno]
Now, were they judged by their faith, or by their works? Do you feel the judgment is just to determine who believed in Christ? If belief is all that's needed, then why the judgment of works, why the need for repentance? If faith were all that was needed, why preach repentance at all? Of course there are several others, but do you really believe these back your argument?
Reno, I need to ask you: What is the basis of whether or how God will forgive your personal sins?
I think God is going to do more at judgment than check off a list if we have accepted Christ...But I'd caution you not to be too trite in defining faith -- because faith also includes faithfulness in this David Letterman world.
For example, do people get covenanted -- bonded -- every day around the world around their commitment of faithfulness to each other? (Indeed they do) People enter into an intimate trust relationship of marriage all the time minus a promise to do all these good works for their spouse. (And the Bible repeatedly -- in letters to the Corinthians & Ephesians, in Revelation, describes Jesus Christ as the Bridegroom of the Church).
If belief is all that's needed, then why the judgment of works... [Reno]
Bottom line: I think you "miss the boat" in misunderstanding two dimensions of judgment: One dimension is our sin nature, our individual acts of sin--including our sins of omission. The other dimension is our works.
You can't exchange the two. For our sin, Heavenly Father fully judged Jesus on the cross. When Jesus said "It is finished" on the cross, He used a phrase that in His day was a financial phrase meaning, "paid in full." Our debt -- our sin -- was paid in full. If we try to pay for our sin/atonement, Heavenly Father rejects it as being laced with unrighteousness (Is. 64:6).
But you are correct when you're talking about God judging the stewardship of our works. Note this passage:
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's WORK. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Cor. 3:10-15)
Do you see that last sentence? Even if our work is burned up, we can "suffer loss" in heaven -- yet, Paul assures us that "he himself WILL BE saved." (Paul goes on to describe that like somebody pulled out of a burning building at the last second...by Jesus Christ the Deliverer and Rescuer).
So, you're right in at least our works will get quite a "grilling" of judgment from God. But Paul makes it clear in this passage that even when our measured works burn up as nothing -- as God's fiery judgment takes a match to them like fuel, we ourselves "will still be saved." (1 Cor. 3:15)
So the righteousness of Jesus is our free pass into heaven. Entrust your life to Him (that is more than just trite faith). But simultaneously, be prepared that once you get there based solely upon your faith in Christ, that He will take a fine-toothcomb to our works -- and judge them. And that it's possible to still become saved -- and still "suffer loss." (None of us should want to suffer such loss in heaven -- whatever that turns out to be)
Revelations 20:12 “12 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”. [Reno]
Sorry, Reno, but I couldn't help to respond with one other aspect -- what we might call an "Elsie-ism":
Wouldn't you know it. When a MORMON wants to cite works' passages they'll go to the Bible, but NOT TRINITARIAN BOOK OF MORMON VERSES like Alma 11:44! ----MormonDudeWannaBe
...but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, WHICH IS ONE ETERNAL GOD, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. (Alma 11:44) [Note: Earlier context of Alma 11, verses 26-29, is that there is ONLY ONE GOD! NOT THREE! NOT FOUR (if you include Mom-God)! NOT a COUNCIL OF THEM! NOT THOUSANDS!]
[Els: See how "well-trained" we are]
Good one!!
It REALLY illustrates how the early MORMON leaders CLAIMED to 'know GOD' but by their WORKS of taking multiple wives SHOWED that they did NOT obey the BIBLE's injunction to have one wife; or the Book of mormon's statement to DO THE SAME.
Ya got pay attention: there are BOOKS (plural) and ANOTHER 'book' - the Book of Life.
Of COURSE you'll be 'judged' by the record in those BOOKs, but read on, Dear Friend...
13. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.
14. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.
15. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.