The “natural faith” which those who are of God exercise is a formed faith; it results in action (“furnishes endeavour”). Love or the lack of it is what separates the sheep from the goats. But unlike the perfect completion of a divine law of which man has become incapable, it can be no cause for boasting, being merely the exercise, however feeble, of an innate God-given quality, which God counts as righteousness:
“What have you got that was not given to you? And if it was given to you, why
would you boast as though it were your own?”429
The fact that a person is justified in the present does not mean they will not be subject to judgement in the future. Final judgement may involve chastisement or purifying but most especially rewarding. Justification is a gift, not a wage or reward430; final judgement does involve reward for it pertains to how that which has been freely provided has been utilized. In Paul’s chronology the Christian has been reconciled and was justified by Christ’s death but will be saved to fulfil his eternal destiny through participation in Christ’s resurrected life431. The apostle’s perspective on final judgement as distinct from
justification is summarized in the second chapter of Romans:
“God will repay everyone as their deeds deserve. For those who aimed for glory, honour and immortality by persevering in good works, there will be eternal life, but for those who out of jealousy have taken for their guide not truth but injustice, there will be the fury of retribution. Trouble and distress will come to every human being who does evil - Jews first but Greeks as well; glory and honour and peace will come to everyone
who does good – Jews first but Greeks as well. There is no favouritism with God”432
The potential need for final purification
The soul possessed at physical death is the soul which will be resurrected or if alive at the time, face Jesus at His coming. Paul’s vessel, tent or body of death is replaceable by a glorious new body; the soul/spirit cannot be replaced for it pertains to one’s identity. No one is to be “clothed in righteousness divine”: the Father already relates to His Son; both now wish to relate to human beings – the real us. All Christians must stand before the tribunal of Christ “so that each person can be paid back for the things that were done whilst in the body whether they were good or bad”433. Christians who after being baptized into the faith wilfully continue to do wrong will be repaid accordingly. Every human being is to be judged impartially and rewarded according to their works434, potentially placing the Christian at a great advantage if he has taken heed to divine teaching, walked in the light 427 Jude12
428 Lk11:41
429 1Cor4:7
430 Rom4:4; 5:18
431 Rom5:10 note tenses
432 Rom2:6-11
433 2Cor5:10
434 Mt16:27; 1Pet1:17
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and received ongoing cleansing in the blood of Christ. Yet the writer to the Hebrews warns even more starkly of the fallacy that Christians who continue to live sinful lives will escape condemnation; Christ’s blood will not avail for them435.
There is only ever one foundation the Christian can build his life on, which is Christ.
However, one may build with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw, and the
“Day” will reveal which it is because it will be tested by fire436. God is described as a consuming fire; the Holy Spirit appeared as fire at Pentecost, so biblical fire is not always hurtful or destructive, but it purges and consumes the dross: that which is worthless. Every positive contribution a Christian makes to the building of God’s Kingdom on earth will be of lasting value for that is the nature of gold, silver and precious stones; but the rubbish will be burnt and the builder, having built on the right foundation but with the wrong materials will be saved, but as through fire.