Heaven's Requirements are? The Truth About Faith and Good Deeds ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

Last week we studied chapter two. At that time, I provided an example from life illustrating the absolute justice of God in His condemnation of sinful man. Whether that be those who have not been given the law nor the gospel. However, by nature God gives them a glimpse of light. They either suppress that light or reach toward it. Those who reach toward the slightest glimmer of light, God takes the responsibility to in their lifetime allow them to hear the truth of the gospel. He ascertains; His justice is never tainted by even minuscule sub particles of injustice. Everything is about His absolute perfect Glory in every aspect of His being. Therefore, I do believe we need to spend a bit longer on Romans 2:4-11. Some find these verses confusing. Precisely regarding what Heaven’s requirements are. What is the truth about faith and good deeds for salvation?

At first glance it appears to suggest that good deeds can lead to eternal life. Yet that does not coincide with the entirety of scripture. Therefore, I do believe that we should take a deeper dive into these scriptures. Paul placed this argument with great precision. Indeed, he used a form of writing called a chiasm which I will explain in more detail later. Let us look at the overall purpose of Romans 1:1 to 3:20. These verses are to build the case that no one is righteous. No not one. Until he establishes this, Paul cannot move forward to justification by faith. Then why the remarkable emphasis here on what sounds like a works judgement to get into heaven. But I contend it appears that way only at first glance. Particularly once we consider other verses by Paul, Jesus, James and John.

Heaven’s Requirements: Where do you stand on faith and good Deeds?

Briefly let me tell you what some of the renown pastors think. Many believe that this is a hypothetical because no one can live up to righteousness. But after much thought and study. I tend to agree with John Piper who sees this differently, when considering the other scriptures. So, we will review these scriptures to help us properly use Inductive methods (scripture interpreting scripture). As well as considering exigesis (what it means in Paul’s day). And hermeneutics (what that means for us today). Only then can we rightly divide these verses.

But first let us look at the chiasm and what that is.

A chiasm (also called a chiasmus) is a literary device in which a sequence of ideas is presented and then repeated in reverse order. The result is a “mirror” effect as the ideas are “reflected” back in a passage. Each idea is connected to its “reflection” by a repeated word, often in a related form. The term chiasm comes from the Greek letter chi, which looks like our letter X

_{¹ what is a chiasm, Got-Questions website; https://www.gotquestions.org/chiasm-chiastic.html; accessed 7/26/2025}

This presents a case arguments in order, such as A-B-C-D-X and then reverse order to return to the main conclusion.

Chiastic Argument in Romans 2

A. revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”

B. eternal life (What will they receive?)

C. to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality (1^st group of people)

D. but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness (2^nd group of people—evil)

X. indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish (what the second group receive)

D. on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek. (Who is group two that gets tribulation and anguish

C. everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (to whom? Group 1)

B. but glory, honor, and peace to (what does group 1 get?)

A. For there is no partiality with God.

So, what was the main reasoning behind this? The righteous judgment of God is perfect with no partiality to be found.

Chapter one of Romans was explaining why the Gentile nations had no excuse. Whereas, Chapter 2 was dealing with the Jewish people. After reading chapter one, the Jews were quite snug as a bug in a rug would be. So, they thought. But truth be told, they relied on heritage, tradition, rituals etc. Example: “Well I am descendant of Abraham. I did take the sacrificial lamb to the priest that time. Never have I failed like those gentiles over there.”

What about in our day? Well, I must be saved. I walked the aisle that time and prayed that prayer. Certainly, I am not as bad as those people over there. After all, I pay my taxes. Do not cheat on my wife. Maybe I look, but never do anything. I do not beat my children. And sometimes I even put money in the offering plate.

To all them, Paul is building the case for “there is none righteous, no not one.” That is of their own merit. So what about this statement? “eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.” This with the echoing notation of “glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good.

Scripture to Help Guide Us to see Heaven’s Requirements.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:7-8

Yet, just before this he wrote in Galatians 5:4-5

You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Or from the book of James:

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. James 1:22-25

Or again note

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. James 2: 18-24

And Jesus said:

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. John 14: 21

Heaven’s Requirements? Look at these two verse to help us understand Faith vs works

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20: 11-15

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 NKJV

So, Now Let’s Try to Land this Plane Concerning Heaven’s Requirements

From today’s verses and the focus verses in Romans 2, I think these three major points have been illustrated.

First Point:

Eternal life is to those who those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality. Whose glory, honor, and immortality? Must we say not our own? I do NOT believe so. We know that it is not self-glory; but, where is it right to seek our own glory, honor, and immortality? When we are doing it to reflect the glory, honor, and immortality of Jesus Christ to a dying world. Also, like a small child desires to win the prize. Not just for himself. But to “make his daddy proud and bring honor to the family name.” Furthermore, Christian hedonism teaches. “God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him.” John Piper, Desiring God Ministries.

Am I not awaiting for my crowns in glory? Certainly there are five crowns we are awaiting. Those are:

Clothed in Christ’s own righteousness, one day we will receive rewards for every good work we have accomplished in His name. The Bible clearly lists at least five crowns that will be awarded in heaven.

    The first crown is the Victor’s Crown. This crown will be awarded to those who discipline their minds through the study of God’s Word and prayer (1 Corinthians 9:25–27).

    The second is the Crown of Rejoicing, which will be given to those who have led others to Christ (1 Thessalonians 2:19).

    The third is the Crown of Righteousness, which will be given to those who have a longing for the Lord Jesus—who look for Jesus’ return (2 Timothy 4:8).

    The fourth is the Crown of Life, placed upon those who have endured and triumphed over trial and temptation and persecution, even to the point of martyrdom (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).

    The fifth is the Crown of Glory, awarded to the faithful shepherds of the people of God and to Christian leaders (1 Peter 5:4).

_{David Jeremiah; Royal Rewards: 5 Crowns for Believers, https://www.davidjeremiah.org/age-of-signs/royal-rewards-5-crowns-for-believers?id=4&srsltid=AfmBOoqkcKm2HuhZ7OcdTRU2WfUQAMxC6ScNBzeFwPG_fBZ4DLBHvz82}

Out of love, devotion, humble gratitude for all He is; yes, I patiently, willingly, obediently continue in doing good. And yes, through that I seek honor, glory, and immortality to lay at the feet of Jesus, my King. However, feeble my attempts, I seek these things. My salvation cannot be merely; I said a prayer and walked away to do what I please. If I do not fully hunger to be like Him, then, am I His? My broken body, heart, and soul moans for the day I shall see Him face to face. That day that I will finally be like Him. When my heart loves like His does.

Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

2^nd Point on Heaven’s Requirements

Seeking honor, glory, and immortality is not a bad thing. It all depends on perspective. We are to desire hope, joy and peace in our Lord and Savior without settling for mediocre heart responses.

It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory,

_{https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/702-it-would-seem-that-our-lord-finds-our-desires-not};_{accessed 7/27/2025}

So, yes dear friends, let our desires be to experience the infinite joy found in Jesus Christ Alone. A joy beyond what we could imagine. Steady, abiding joy that undergirds everything that we do in this world. Sustained by the faith and strength given us by the Holy Spirit indwelling us. What an amazing gift of Grace we have!!

3rd point on Heaven’s Requirements.

We can only achieve this through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ. I cannot on my own. It is His work working through me. So, I must cling everyday to the only one True Savior. He, who through the work of the Holy Spirit can keep me. That is faith. Believing against all odds that He will accomplish in me all that He has planned for me. How can I believe that? He has already shown me day by day. What a miracle that amid a chaotic, sin ridden world; I have peace and joy abiding deep within my heart. Oh, how I long for the day when everyone who sees me thinks of Jesus first using words from St. Patrick’s prayer.

St Patrick’s Prayer:

I arise today

Through the strength of heaven;

Light of the sun,

Splendor of fire,

Speed of lightning,

Swiftness of the wind,

Depth of the sea,

Stability of the earth,

Firmness of the rock.

I arise today

Through God’s strength to pilot me;

God’s might to uphold me,

God’s wisdom to guide me,

God’s eye to look before me,

God’s ear to hear me,

God’s word to speak for me,

God’s hand to guard me,

God’s way to lie before me,

God’s shield to protect me,

God’s hosts to save me

Afar and anear,

Alone or in a multitude.

Christ shield me today

Against wounding

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in the eye that sees me,

Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today

Through the mighty strength

Of the Lord of creation.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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Understanding the Absolute Justice of God in the Light of His Goodness. How?

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Please note: This Post only has quotes from the NKJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

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