128. Is there anyone who does not know from the Word that our fate after death depends on what we have done? Open the Word and read it and you will see this clearly: but set aside any thoughts based on faith and on our justification by faith alone. Here are a few passages to witness to the fact that the Lord teaches this throughout his Word.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire; so you will know them by their fruits. (Matthew 7:19-20)
Many people will say to me on that day, "Lord, have we not prophesied in your name and done many good deeds in your name?" But I will profess to them, "I do not recognize you. Depart from me, you who do injustice." (Matthew 7:22-23)
I will compare anyone who hears my words and does them to a wise man who built his house on a rock; but I will compare anyone who hears my words and does not do them to a senseless man who built his house on the ground without a foundation. (Matthew 7:24, 26; Luke 6:46-49)
[2] The Human-born One will come in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward all according to their deeds. (Matthew 16:27)
The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and will be given to a nation that brings forth its fruits. (Matthew 21:53 [Matthew 21:43])
Jesus said, "My mother and my brothers are the people who hear the word of God and do it." (Luke 8:21)
Then you will come and stand there and knock on the door and say, "Open the door for us, Lord"; but he will answer, "I do not know where you come from. Go away from me, all you who do injustice." (Luke 13:25-27)
Those who have done what is good will go forth to a resurrection of life, but those who have done what is evil to a resurrection of judgment. (John 5:29)
[3] We know that God does not listen to sinners, but that he listens to anyone who worships God and does his will. (John 9:31)
If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. (John 13:17)
Those who know my precepts and do them are the ones who love me; and I will love them and come to them and make my dwelling with them. (John 14:15, 21-24)
You are my friends if you do whatever I tell you to. I have chosen you so that you would bear fruit and so that your fruit would last. (John 15:14, 16)
[4] The Lord said to John, "Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus, 'I know your works. My complaint against you is that you have left your first charity. Repent and do the earlier works. If you do not, I will remove your lampstand from its place.'" (Revelation 2:1-2, 4-5)
Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna, "I know your works." (Revelation 2:8 [Revelation 2:8-9])
Write to the angel of the church in Pergamos, "I know your works," "Repent." (Revelation 2:13, 16 [Revelation 2:12-13, 16])
Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira, "I know your works and your charity, and your later works are more than the first ones." (Revelation 2:26 [Revelation 2:18-19])
Write to the angel of the church in Sardis, "I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. I have not found your works perfect in God's sight. Repent." (Revelation 3:1-2, 3)
To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, "I know your works." (Revelation 3:7-8)
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write, "I know your works. Repent." (Revelation 3:14-15, 19)
I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now onward; their works follow them.'" (Revelation 5:13 [Revelation 14:13])
A book was opened that was the book of life, and the dead were judged, all of them according to their works. (Revelation 20:12-13)
Look, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, that I might give to all according to their works. (Revelation 22:12)
These come from the New Testament.
[5] There are still more in the Old, and I may cite just this one.
Stand in the gate of Jehovah and proclaim this word there. Thus says the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel, "Make your ways and your deeds good. Do not put your trust in deceitful words, saying 'The temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah!' Will you be stealing and murdering and committing adultery and perjuring yourselves and then come and stand in my presence in this house that bears my name and say, 'We are exempt when we do these disgusting things'? Will you make this house a robbers' cave? I myself have seen it," says Jehovah. (Jeremiah 7:1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 [Jeremiah 7:2, 3, 4, 9-10, 11])
