What actions might lead to receiving "according to his deeds" in Romans 2:6? Understanding “according to his deeds” “ ‘He will repay each one according to his deeds.’ ” (Romans 2:6) Actions God Favors and Rewards • Repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus, evidenced by turning from sin (Acts 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:9) • Persevering in doing good—consistent, Spirit-empowered obedience (Romans 2:7) • Seeking God’s glory, honor, and immortality rather than personal fame (Romans 2:7; Matthew 6:33) • Works flowing from love: caring for widows, orphans, the poor, and fellow believers (James 1:27; 1 John 3:17) • Walking in the Spirit and producing His fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) • Honest, humble self-examination instead of hypocritical judgment (Romans 2:1; 1 Corinthians 11:31) • Enduring in righteousness despite trials (Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 10:36) Actions That Store Up Wrath • Self-seeking ambition that sidelines God’s honor (Romans 2:8; Philippians 2:3) • Rejection of the truth and deliberate unbelief (Romans 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 1:8) • Persistent practice of evil deeds—works of the flesh such as sexual immorality, idolatry, hatred, drunkenness (Romans 2:9; Galatians 5:19-21) • Hard and unrepentant hearts that despise God’s kindness (Romans 2:4-5) • Hypocritical judging while committing the same sins (Romans 2:1-3) • Showing partiality or favoritism, contradicting God’s impartial nature (Romans 2:11; James 2:9) Broader Scriptural Witness • Psalm 62:12—“You, O Lord, reward each man according to his work.” • Proverbs 24:12—God “will repay a man according to his deeds.” • Matthew 16:27—The Son of Man will “repay each one according to what he has done.” • 2 Corinthians 5:10—Believers appear before Christ’s judgment seat “that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.” • Galatians 6:7-8—Sowing to the Spirit reaps eternal life; sowing to the flesh reaps destruction. • Revelation 22:12—“My reward is with Me to give to each one according to his work.” How Deeds Fit with the Gospel of Grace • Salvation is “by grace…through faith…not by works” (Ephesians 2:8-9), yet believers are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). • Good deeds do not earn salvation; they reveal the reality of saving faith (James 2:17-18). • Final judgment exposes the heart by examining the life; deeds confirm whether faith was genuine. Walking Today in Reward-Winning Deeds • Abide in Christ daily, allowing His life to bear fruit (John 15:4-5). • Feed on Scripture and obey it promptly (James 1:22). • Keep short accounts with God—confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9). • Rely on the Holy Spirit for power to do good (Galatians 5:16). • Look for practical ways to love neighbors, starting at home and in the local church (Galatians 6:10). • Persist, remembering that “your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). |
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