Recently, actor and Christian apologist Kirk Cameron stirred up a lot of controversy when he suggested that annihilationism may be what happens to those who do not come to faith in Christ.
Part of his argument was that he thinks it would be unfair of God to punish people forever for a finite number of sins. In his view, a finite number of sins could not fairly result in an infinite amount of punishment.
There are many verses in the Bible that say everyone—believer and unbeliever alike—will be judged according to his works both during and after this life. That is clear. There is no controversy on this point. But many pastors and theologians either ignore this teaching or determine that it can’t mean what it says because, in their opinion, that would not be fair.
In part one, we will consider verses that say all people, believers and unbelievers, are judged in this life according to their works.
Psalm 28:4 says, “Give them according to the work of their hands; render to them what they deserve.” David wanted the Lord to punish the wicked, the very thing he knew God had said He would do.
Psalm 62:12 says, “For you render to each one according to his work.” God is the just judge of all people.
Lamentations 3:64 is a cry for fairness: “Repay them, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.” Dyer’s comments that the prophet knew God’s ways: “Jeremiah also asked God to pay them back what they deserve” (“Lamentations” in BKC, p. 1219).
Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:14, “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works.” Knight comments that this expression regarding recompense according to one’s works is “a recurring statement in the OT, e.g., 2 Sam. 3:39; Ps. 28:4; 62:12; Pr. 24:12” and that the Lord “is undoubtedly the same ‘Lord,’ ‘the righteous judge,’ as in v. 8, namely Christ, whose ‘appearing’ Paul longs for” (The Pastoral Epistles, p. 467). Knight thinks this refers to judgment after this life is over.i While that is possible, temporal judgment is more consistent with the OT references and with Paul’s desire for immediate recompense for Alexander.
Peter said in 1 Peter 1:17, “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear.” Derickson sees this as referring to temporal judgment: “He is describing our heavenly Father’s discipline of His children. As God disciplined Israel in the wilderness when they sinned, He disciplines His children today (Heb 12:3–11)” (“First Peter” in The Grace New Testament Commentary, p. 1147).
The Lord Jesus said in Rev 2:23, “I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.” Mounce comments, “imminent punishment would demonstrate that the one who searches the ‘hearts and minds’ of people had found them guilty” (Revelation, p. 88).
Some of these verses may refer to recompense both in this life and after this life. But most likely they all at least refer to reaping what we sow in this life.
All parents, including atheist parents, teach their children this principle. Of course, the atheist does not say that God judges us in this life. The atheist says that government, bosses, teachers, and the earth itself judge us in this life. But everyone believes that we reap what we sow in this life. We all know that we are accountable for our actions in this life.
If God holds us accountable in this life for the works we do, it stands to reason that after this life He will likewise hold us forever accountable for our works. But we do not need to rely on mere human reason. We have clear Scripture that says God will judge all believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ after this life is over. That will be discussed in part 2. The Bible also explicitly teaches that after this life is over, God will judge all unbelievers according to their works at the Great White Throne Judgment. That will be part 3 of this series. The final installment will apply this teaching to our lives and ministries.
Keep grace in focus and you’ll never think that God doesn’t care what we do with our lives.
