Deeds & Judgement

What I thought...

We are saved by our belief or faith. A mindset, not an action.

What I learned...

We are judged based on our deeds, or actions. What we do, not what we believe.

Introduction

Before we get into the details of my thoughts, I'd like to clearly state: judgement is a VERY weighty topic and has ETERNAL consequences. As such, I do NOT recommend outsourcing your understanding to anyone else, least of all me. Judgement is an individual sport and I'm not sure "I was misinformed" will hold water. Please come to your own conclusions.

What are biblical deeds?

Biblical deeds are actions, like everything we "do." Through our deeds or actions we prove ourselves obedient or disobedient. The below verses are examples that help us understand it is our DEEDS or BEHAVIORS that prove us right or obedient.

It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself

If his conduct is pure and right.

PROVERBS 20:11

As OBEDIENT CHILDREN,

do not be conformed to the former lusts [which were yours] in your ignorance,

but like the Set Apart (Holy) One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all BEHAVIOR;

1 PETER 1:14-15

In this next set of verses, the apostle John says A LOT. I am going to break these verses apart and look at them in small chunks. John starts out by saying that if we keep sinning, we don't even know Messiah.

No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him.

1JOHN 3:6-12

John then warns us of being deceived. John explains the concept of actions proving one's self either of Elohim or the other guy. I think John is telling us to look at what a person DOES not what they SAY to help us understand whom they obey - Elohim or the devil. If we pay attention to a person's words and not actions, we risk being deceived. We prove ourselves righteous by practicing righteousness. We prove ourselves unrighteous by practicing sin.

Little children, make sure no one DECEIVES you;

the one who PRACTICES righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;

the one who practices SIN is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning.

The Son of Elohim appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.

1JOHN 3:7-8

Next, John then states those born of Elohim CANNOT sin. John takes the discussion a step further by saying we prove ourselves children of Elohim or the devil by our practice of righteousness (obedience) or sin. John uses the word OBVIOUS, like this fact is self-evident based on observance of someone's actions.

No one who is born of Elohim practices sin,

because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of Elohim.

By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious:

anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of Elohim,

nor the one who does not love his brother.

1JOHN 3:7-10

The last part I'll include from this excerpt of scripture is where John confirms proving one's self through actions is as true today as it was in the beginning. John uses the example of Cain and Abel, Adam and Eve's first sons. Abel proved himself righteous when he offered his best to Elohim. Cain proved himself selfish because he was unwilling to give Elohim his best. Cain was jealous Elohim had "regard" for Abel's offering but not his. Ultimately, Cain's selfishness and jealousy led Cain to murder of his righteous brother, see also Genesis 4:1-10. In this example, Abel proved himself unrighteous through his actions (acceptable offering) whereas Cain proved himself unrighteous (unacceptable offering and murder). The proving of one's self through DEEDS was true as true at the time of Adam and Eve as it is today.

For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning,

that we should love one another; not as Cain, [who] was of the evil one and slew his brother.

And for what reason did he slay him?

Because his DEEDS were evil, and his brother's were righteous.

1JOHN 3:11-12

For good measure, I'll include one more verse demonstrating the importance of our actions. Messiah's brother James warns us to be DOERS of the word not just hearers who DECEIVE OURSELVES.

But prove yourselves DOERS of the word,

and not merely hearers who DECEIVE themselves.

JAMES 1:22

Biblical deeds are not referring to your "good deeds" like helping a friend or donating to charity. Biblical deeds are those which we prove ourselves either obedient to His laws (righteous) or like Satan, disregarding His laws.

Righteous deeds or actions

Our deeds or actions are what are judged as "righteous" or "evil." Please see below verse.

FOR ELOHIM WILL BRING EVERY DEED/ACT TO JUDGEMENT,

everything which is hidden,

WHETHER IT IS GOOD OR EVIL.

ECCLESIASTES 12:14

We must then understand what constitutes a righteous action. Fortunately, the bible defines righteousness for us. We don't have to guess. To be righteous is to obey the commandments of YHWH.

"It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment

before YHWH our Elohim, just as He commanded us."

DEUTERONOMY 6:25

Our actions are righteous when in accordance with His commandments. The reward for righteousness (obedience) is life. I believe the "life" referred to in the below verses is the second life, or ETERNAL life.

The wages of the righteous is life,

The income of the wicked, punishment.

PROVERBS 10:16

In the way of righteousness is life,

And in [its] pathway there is no death.

PROVERBS 12:28

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,

but righteousness delivers from death.

The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way,

But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,

But the treacherous will be caught by [their own] greed.

When a wicked man dies, [his] expectation will perish, and the hope of strong men perishes. The righteous is delivered from trouble,

But the wicked takes his place.

PROVERBS 11:4-8

If you're still on the fence about obtaining eternal life through obedience to the commands of YHWH (our deeds are proof of said obedience) let’s go to the words of our Messiah, Yahusha.

And someone came to Him and said,

"Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?"

And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good?

There is [only] One who is good;

but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."

[Then] he said to Him, "Which ones?" And Yahusha said,

"YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER;

YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY;

YOU SHALL NOT STEAL;

YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS;

HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER;

and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

MATTHEW 19:16-19

Our Messiah clearly tells us that to obtain eternal life, one must follow the commandments. Each commandment Messiah listed above is a repeat of a commandment found in the Torah, including to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev 19:18). Messiah’s teachings were to more fully explain what our Creator already provided.

Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you,

but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning;

the old commandment is the word which you have heard.

1 JOHN 2:7

What about belief or faith?

The bible rightly says we are saved by our belief. One is NOT likely to bring their life into obedience to a Creator they do not believe exists. However, belief is only the first step. Belief is what drives a person to seek and then obey. Further we must understand the concept of belief through a Hebrew lens. To the westerner, belief is a mindset. To a Hebrew belief is much more.

I found a discussion in the explanatory notes of “The Scriptures” bible discussing belief and believe. The authors make the point that belief and believe “means more than uncommitted believing. It means to trust, to rely on, and even to prove your belief by obedience. It has been said, ‘He who believes shall obey, for by his obedience he proves that he believes.” (p 1220, EXPLANATORY NOTES, The Scriptures).

Belief or faith is of course 100% necessary but is ONLY the first step. One's belief is then demonstrate by bringing our actions in alignment with His ways as demonstrated above. Our ACTIONS/DEEDS prove or disprove our belief. Messiah said we must become disciples (students) so we have knowledge of our Creator's ways.

So Yahusha (Messiah) was saying to those Jews who had believed Him,

"If you continue in My word, [then] you are truly disciples of Mine;

And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

JOHN 8:31-32

If we don't study the scriptures, how could we possibly bring our life into obedience to His laws and morality? If we think all we must do is "believe," we must examine the beliefs of the demons. Does Satan or his rebellious pals question the existence of our Creator? Of course NOT! Consider the Apostle James words:

You believe that Elohim is one.

You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.

JAMES 2:19

The demons clearly know of the Creator. The demons do not question His existence. But do demons also know about the Messiah? Yes. In the below verse, the demons demonstrate they know who He is without even being told.

"Let us alone! What business do we have with each other,

Yahusha of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us?

I know who You are-- the Holy One of Elohim!"

LUKE 4:34

Demons also were coming out of many, shouting,

"You are the Son of Elohim!"

But rebuking them, He (Messiah) would not allow them to speak,

because they knew Him to be the Messiah.

LUKE 4:41

Seeing Yahusha, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice,

"What business do we have with each other, Yahusha, Son of the Most High Elohim?

I beg You, do not torment me."

LUKE 8:28

The demons clearly believe in the existence of both our Creator and His prophesied Son. If ALL you have to do is believe why don’t the demons receive salvation? The differentiator is OBEDIENCE. Satan and his demons refuse to obey or submit to the Most High. They know He exists, but don't care. They decided they would do what THEY WANTED TO, not what He said to do.

We either follow the example of Satan and disregard our Creator's ways, or follow the example of the Messiah and bring our life into obedience to the Most High. We are wise to follow Messiah's example proving our faith objectively through our ACTIONS or DEEDS.

For you have been called for this purpose,

since Messiah also suffered for you,

leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;

1 PETER 2:21

My Conclusion:
We are judged based on what we do not what we believe.

After reviewing the verses on deeds and works, it becomes pretty clear we will be judged based on what we do, not what we believe. Our belief is important because it effects what we do. By our actions, we prove what we believe. If the claim seems outlandish, let us review the information we’re given on the final judgement, recorded in the book of Revelation. You may notice there is no mention of faith or belief, rather, each of us are judged based on our DEEDS.

And I saw the dead, the great and the small,

standing before the throne, and books were opened;

and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life;

and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books,

according to their deeds.

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it,

and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them;

and they were judged, every one [of them] according to their deeds.

REVELATION 20:12-13

I wish only to inform. If the thought of being accountable frightens you, consider yourself blessed. One of the seven attributes of YHWH’s spirit dwelling within you is FEAR of Him.

The Spirit of YHWH will rest on Him,

The spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength,

The spirit of knowledge and THE FEAR OF YHWH.

ISAIAH 11:2

I'm justifiably terrified, but our Creator's words recorded in Ezekiel provide me with a great deal of comfort. While there is air in our lungs, there is still time to right the ship.

"But when I say to the wicked,

'You will surely die,' and he turns from his sin and practices justice and righteousness,

[if a] wicked man restores a pledge, pays back what he has taken by robbery,

walks by the statutes which ensure life without committing iniquity,

he shall surely live; he shall not die.

"None of his sins that he has committed will be remembered against him.

He has practiced justice and righteousness; he shall surely live.”

EZEKIEL 33:12-16

My recommendation for anyone seeking our Creator is to bring your life into immediate obedience to the 10 Commandments, including Sabbath REST, and read the bible on your own.

And someone came to Him and said,

"Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?"

And He said to him, "Why are you asking Me about what is good?

There is [only] One who is good;

but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."

[Then] he said to Him, "Which ones?" And Yahusha said,

"YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER;

YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY;

YOU SHALL NOT STEAL;

YOU SHALL NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS;

HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER;

and YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

MATTHEW 19:16-19

Search Criterion

The below verses supported my conclusion of judgement based on deeds and works, or what you do. I am of the opinion that who is talking matters. As such, I separated the verses on "deeds" based on who is speaking. Our Creator's words first, next Messiah, then other verses on deeds by testament. For good measure I included some related verses on "works" and "recompense."

I make no claim that I included every appropriate verse, I encourage everyone to come to your own conclusions. A copy of the electronic NASB 1995 bible and the spreadsheet with compiled verses are in the below "buttons."

Deeds & Works Excel Doc

NASB 1995 Electronic Bible

What does the bible say on Sabbath?

Deu 28:20 "Yahuah will send upon you curses, confusion, and rebuke, in all you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken Me."

Eze 24:14 "I, Yahuah, have spoken; it is coming and I will act. I will not relent, and I will not pity and I will not be sorry; according to your ways and according to your deeds I will judge you," declares Yahuah Elohim.'"

Jer 17:9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? Jer 17:10 "I, Yahuah, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds."

Jer 21:14 "But I will punish you according to the results of your deeds," declares Yahuah, "And I will kindle a fire in its forest That it may devour all its environs."'

Eze 36:19 "Also I scattered them among the nations and they were dispersed throughout the lands. According to their ways and their deeds I judged them.

Hos 4:9 And it will be, like people, like priest; So I will punish them for their ways And repay them for their deeds.

Isa 1:16 "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, Isa 1:17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. Isa 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says Yahuah, "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. Isa 1:19 "If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land; Isa 1:20 "But if you refuse and rebel, You will be devoured by the sword." Truly, the mouth of Yahuah has spoken.

Jer 4:4 "Circumcise yourselves to Yahuah And remove the foreskins of your heart, Men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, Or else My wrath will go forth like fire And burn with none to quench it, Because of the evil of your deeds."

Jer 23:2 Therefore thus says Yahuah Elohim of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people: "You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds," declares Yahuah.

Jer 25:14 '(For many nations and great kings will make slaves of them, even them; and I will recompense them according to their deeds and according to the work of their hands.)'"

Jer 26:13 "Now therefore amend your ways and your deeds and obey the voice of Yahuah your Elohim; and Yahuah will change His mind about the misfortune which He has pronounced against you."

Mat 16:27 "For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. "

Joh 5:28 "Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, Joh 5:29 and will come forth; those who did the good [deeds] to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil [deeds] to a resurrection of judgment."

Rev 2:23 'And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. "

Rev 3:15 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. Rev 3:16 'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. '

Rev 2:25 'Nevertheless what you have, hold fast until I come. Rev 2:26 'He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, TO HIM I WILL GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS; Rev 2:27 AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received [authority] from My Father; Rev 2:28 and I will give him the morning star. Rev 2:29 'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

Joh 3:20 "For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. Joh 3:21 "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in Elohim."

Joh 7:7 "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil."

Isa 59:18 According to [their] deeds, so He will repay, Wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies; To the coastlands He will make recompense.

Pro 20:11 It is by his deeds that a lad distinguishes himself If his conduct is pure and right.

Pro 12:14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a man's hands will return to him.

Psa 68:21 Surely Elohim will shatter the head of His enemies, The hairy crown of him who goes on in his guilty deeds.

Psa 28:4 Requite them according to their work and according to the evil of their practices; Requite them according to the deeds of their hands; Repay them their recompense. Psa 28:5 Because they do not regard the works of Yahuah Nor the deeds of His hands, He will tear them down and not build them up.

Jer 32:18 Yahuah of hosts is His name; Jer 32:19 great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, giving to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds;

Jer 44:22 "So Yahuah was no longer able to endure [it], because of the evil of your deeds, because of the abominations which you have committed; thus your land has become a ruin, an object of horror and a curse, without an inhabitant, as [it is] this day.

Hos 12:2 Yahuah also has a dispute with Judah, And will punish Jacob according to his ways; He will repay him according to his deeds.

Mic 7:13 And the earth will become desolate because of her inhabitants, On account of the fruit of their deeds.

Rom 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of Elohim, Rom 2:6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: Rom 2:7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; Rom 2:8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

2Co 11:15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

2Ti 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; Messiah will repay him according to his deeds.

Tit 1:16 They profess to know Elohim, but by [their] deeds they deny [Him], being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.

Jud 1:14 [It was] also about these men [that] Enoch, [in] the seventh [generation] from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, Yahuah came with many thousands of His holy ones, Jud 1:15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."

Rev 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Messiah from now on!'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them."

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.

Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one [of them] according to their deeds. Rev 20:14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. Rev 20:15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. Rev 20:15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Jer 25:14 '(For many nations and great kings will make slaves of them, even them; and I will recompense them according to their deeds and according to the work of their hands.)'"

Jer 51:6 Flee from the midst of Babylon, And each of you save his life! Do not be destroyed in her punishment, For this is Yahuah's time of vengeance; He is going to render recompense to her. Jer 51:7 Babylon has been a golden cup in the hand of Yahuah, Intoxicating all the earth. The nations have drunk of her wine; Therefore the nations are going mad.

Lam 3:64 You will recompense them, O Yahuha, According to the work of their hands.

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Psa 15:1 A Psalm of David. O Yahuah, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? Psa 15:2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. Psa 15:3 He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; Psa 15:4 In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt and does not change; Psa 15:5 He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Psa 33:13 Yahuah looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; Psa 33:14 From His dwelling place He looks out On all the inhabitants of the earth, Psa 33:15 He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works.

Jer 1:16 "I will pronounce My judgments on them concerning all their wickedness, whereby they have forsaken Me and have offered sacrifices to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands."

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Yahuah will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Deeds & Judgement

Deeds & Judgement

What I thought...

What I learned...

Introduction

What are biblical deeds?

Righteous deeds or actions

What about belief or faith?

My Conclusion:
We are judged based on what we do not what we believe.

Search Criterion

What does the bible say on Sabbath?

Our Creator's Words on Deeds (11 verses)

Messiah's words on deeds (7 verses)

Other Old Testament Verses on Deeds (9 verses)

Other New Testament verses on deeds (9 verses)

Recompense (4 verses)

Verses on Works (4 verses)

Deeds & Judgement

Deeds & Judgement

What I thought...

What I learned...

Introduction

What are biblical deeds?

Righteous deeds or actions

What about belief or faith?

My Conclusion: We are judged based on what we do not what we believe.

Search Criterion

What does the bible say on Sabbath?

Our Creator's Words on Deeds (11 verses)

Messiah's words on deeds (7 verses)

Other Old Testament Verses on Deeds (9 verses)

Other New Testament verses on deeds (9 verses)

Recompense (4 verses)

Verses on Works (4 verses)

My Conclusion:
We are judged based on what we do not what we believe.