Romans 2.7-11 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.
These verses give us a description of two kinds of persons. The one is a believer (vv. 7,10) whose whose faith is evident from his life as he does “press toward the mark” of holiness (Phil. 3:14) without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb. 12:14). The other is an unrepentant sinner who continues to argue with God and does not obey the gospel; he will reap the just deserts of his sin. Both of these outcomes apply to Jew and Gentile alike (v. 11). While salvation is a gift from God apart from works, salvation from aged will be manifested by a life of good works that brings hi or and glory to the Name of Jesus Christ.
The salvation spoken of in the gospel of Jesus Christ is not merely an acknowledgement of biblical truth alone. It is a life of continued faith and repentance towards God. It is faith in the finished work accomplished by The Lord Jesus Christ. But it is also a working out of that salvation with fear and trembling. We are complete in Christ, but pursuing being conformed to His image and likeness. Glory, honor and peace are the objects of pursuit for those who are in Christ. Why? Because the gospel is not only to be believed, but obeyed. The same grace that has saved us is what empowers us to both will and do of His good pleasure. Amazing grace!
