He will reward each one according to his works: eternal life to those who by perseverance in good works seek glory and honor and immortality, but wrath and anger to those who live in selfish ambition and do not obey the truth but follow unrighteousness.
Romans 2:6-8 NET
What role do our works play in our salvation? Paul elsewhere tells us that we are saved by faith, apart from works (Rom. 3:27-28; Eph. 2:8-9). But James tells us that faith, apart from works, is dead (Jam. 2:14-26). And in this passage, Paul seems to base salvation on our works alone. Can we reconcile these passages?
We are, as Paul says, “declared righteous by faith apart from the works of the law” (Rom. 3:28). Paul is adamant that my works, including obedience to the Old Testament Law, play no part in my salvation. It is, on my part, solely a matter of faith. But, if that is the case, what is Paul saying in Romans 2:6-8?
What Is Faith?
The key to this is understanding what faith is. The Greek word “pistis” is translated into English as “faith, faithfulness, belief, and trust.” It also has the “implication that actions based on that trust may follow” (NIV Word Study Dictionary). And it is that last part of the definition that is significant. There’s an implication in the word that this faith will inspire and motivate actions.
That is what James refers to as he declares that faith, without works, is dead (Jam. 2:17). Faith is more than just a one-time event or an intellectual acknowledgment that something is true. As James says, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder” (Jam. 2:19).
So, if my faith produces works, then my works can be understood to reflect my faith and be the fruit it produces. And so, in Romans 2:6-8, we can understand that as God rewards me according to my works, he is really judging the reality of my faith. If I am seeking the righteous life God desires for me, it demonstrates the reality of my faith, and the reward is eternal life. If, on the other hand, my life is revealed to be self-centered, then my faith is shown to be dead, and the result is God’s wrath.
What impact does your faith have on your day-to-day life? What do your actions say about your faith? Is it dead? Or alive and fruitful?
