Which other scriptures emphasize God's judgment based on deeds and actions? Jeremiah 21:14—A Starting Point “I will punish you according to the fruit of your deeds,” declares the LORD; “I will kindle a fire in your forest that will consume everything around you.” Old Testament Echoes of Deed-Based Judgment • Jeremiah 17:10 — “I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.” • Psalm 62:12 — “For You reward each man according to his deeds.” • Proverbs 24:12 — “Does not He who weighs hearts perceive it? … He will repay a man according to his work.” • Ecclesiastes 12:14 — “For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.” • Ezekiel 18:30 — “Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not become your downfall.” Actions decide outcomes. Jesus on Accountability for Actions • Matthew 12:36–37 — “On the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.” • Matthew 16:27 — “For the Son of Man will come … and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.” • John 5:28–29 — “Those who have done good will rise to a resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to a resurrection of judgment.” Apostolic Teaching on Reaping What We Sow • Romans 2:5–8 — “He will repay each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory … but wrath and anger to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth.” • 2 Corinthians 5:10 — “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.” • Galatians 6:7–9 — “God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” • 1 Peter 1:17 — “The Father … judges each one’s work impartially. Live in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.” Final Judgment Passages • Revelation 2:23 — “I will repay each of you according to your deeds.” • Revelation 20:12–13 — “The dead were judged according to their deeds…” • Revelation 22:12 — “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.” Why Works Still Matter When Salvation Is by Grace • Scripture never pits faith against obedience; genuine faith produces observable fruit (James 2:17). • Deeds are not the root of salvation but the evidence, the “fruit” God inspects (Matthew 7:17-20). • Grace empowers believers to live godly lives so that their works testify to the transforming power of the gospel (Titus 2:11-14). God’s consistent message—from Jeremiah to Revelation—is clear: deeds reveal the heart, and the Lord will judge accordingly. |
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