Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them. NET
James 2:17 So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead. BSB
We have discussed that if you compare Ephesians 2:8-9 with James, it appears to be in conflict until you get to verse 10 where Paul introduces works. (There are people out there that claim that James’ epistle was written in response to Paul but since James could well be the first book written in the New Testament, this doesn’t seem likely).
In the first chapter of James, he talks about not only being hearers of the Word but also doers of the Word. If this doesn’t happen, then James concludes that our faith is dead. There is a change in who we are that comes about once we have become a new creation in Christ and there will be outward evidence of that change. This is what James is talking about, it is what Jesus talks about in the Sermon on the Mount and it is Paul’s point here in Ephesians. As God’s workmanship, if we internalize Jesus, then works will follow as He has made us what we are. That is, our capacity for good works stems from our re-creation in Christ rather than ourselves. (The term “works” can apply to pursuing holiness through moral codes such as the Ten Commandments as well as social issues such as helping the poor and the homeless).
2Corinthians 5:10 For 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. BSB
If faith is only intellectual agreement then the only judgment that we should face is simply whether we believed or not and it would have nothing to do with works. This can work both ways as you can also have works without faith. Works without belief is humanitarianism which looks a lot like Christianity but it lacks the saving faith of Biblical Christianity.
“To make the end of preaching the inculcation of virtue, to render men honest, sober, benevolent and faithful, is part and parcel of that wisdom of the world that is foolishness with God. It is attempting to raise fruit without trees.” (Charles Hodge Commentary on Ephesians).
There are three judgments. The first is in the Gospel of John:
John 3: 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. 18 He who believes in him is not judged. He who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.” NHEB
The next judgment is the BEMA judgment of works that occurs at death (2Corinthians 5:10). The last judgment is the Great White Throne where the Book of Life comes into play.
Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” NHEB
A little scary but we have the security that comes from being a believer – that was settled at the time we came to faith but our sanctification will be tested. (Also see 1Corinthians 3:11-14).
“But as the confident hope of our salvation rests on the assurance that God will not enter into judgment with us, (Psalms 143:2) but will bury in gracious forgetfulness the sins which deserve innumerable deaths…..When the judgment of God is mentioned in Scripture, it does not in any way set aside the forgiveness of sins”. (John Calvin Commentary on Matthew 12:36).