Works of Righteousness

What follows is a study of works that will be judged at the Judgement Seat of Christ. This addresses the salvation by works/faith idea. The first reply will be the easy-reading abridged version of the second reply. This is the same text without the scriptural references. I think it will be easier to get the gist of what I'm saying without being bogged down by the quotes. I do ask if you wish to debate this that you at least read and ponder the references. Thanks, Sandy

Righteousness by Faith

Judgement day will come for every one of us. Each of us will come before the judgement seat of Christ and will be judged according to our works. The eternal destination of every person will be finalized there.

Judgement will be according to law for both the Jew and the Gentile. There are two sets of laws that we can be judged by, the Mosaic Law and the law of faith. Unfortunately no one is justified under the Mosaic Law. The law was given because of transgressions and under the law, all are found guilty.

Still, scripture points out that, at the judgement seat, those whose have done good works will enter into eternal life. So the question arises, how can anyone be judged righteous by their works when the Bible is clear that no one is justified by works of the Mosaic Law. Scripture states that only by faith can we be found righteous in the eyes of God. Without the works of the law, faith is counted for righteousness.

What we are left with then is reconciling the concept of righteousness by faith and righteousness by good works on the day of judgement. At the judgement seat we need to be judged not by the works of the Law of Moses but by the law of faith in order to be found righteous. The faith of Christ, upon belief in Him, imputes righteousness unto you as well as creates in you the ability to do works worthy of being called righteous in the eyes of God. This happens because God separates the works of our flesh (which are judged under the Mosaic Law) from the works of the Spirit of God indwelling us (which are judged by the law of faith). According to God that part of us that commits sin is dead as are the works done in the flesh.

The good works that we are lead to do happen because the Spirit of God is dwelling in us. These are the works that will be deemed righteous on the day of judgement and will be rewarded with eternal life. Some say that eternal life is both faith in Christ and good works. In the eyes of God those that believe in Him are created to do good works and the evil works wrought by the flesh are no longer part of our body of works.

Will we be granted eternal life by the faith of Christ? Most certainly. Will believers be found righteous on the day of judgement by our good works? It is impossible to be found otherwise. That’s what believers were created in Christ to do, good works.

Righteousness by Faith

Judgement day will come for every one of us: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment…” Hebrews 9:27 Each of us will come before the judgement seat of Christ and will be judged according to our works: “For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” II Corinthians 5:10 (Also Matthew 16:27, John 5:27-29, Romans 2:5-11, I Peter 1:17, II Peter 2:9, Revelation 20:12 &13) The eternal destination of every person will be finalized there (Matthew 25:31-46).

Judgement will be according to law for both the Jew and the Gentile: “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: which shew the work of the law written in their hearts…) in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” Romans 2:12-16

There are two sets of laws that we can be judged by, the Mosaic Law and the law of faith: “By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.” Romans 3:27b (Also Romans 7:25)

Unfortunately no one is justified under the Mosaic Law. The law was given because of transgressions and under the law, all are found guilty. (Romans 3:19) Works done under the Mosaic Law cannot gain an individual eternal life: “…for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” Gal 2:16b (also Acts 13:39, Romans 3:20, Galatians 3:11, Titus 3:5, Hebrews 7:19, 10:1)

Still, scripture points out that, at the judgement seat, those whose have done good works will enter into eternal life. So the question arises, how can anyone be judged righteous by their works when the Bible is clear that no one is justified by works of the Mosaic Law.

Scripture states that only by faith can we be found righteous in the eyes of God. Without the works of the law, faith is counted for righteousness: “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” Romans 4:5-7 (Also Romans 5:1, 9:30-31, Galatians 3:24, 5:5, Philippians 3:9, Hebrews 11:7)

What we are left with then is reconciling the concept of righteousness by faith and righteousness by good works on the day of judgement. At the judgement seat we need to be judged not by the works of the Law of Moses but by the law of faith in order to be found righteous: “By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:27b-28 (Also Romans 3:21-22, 8:2, Galatians 6:2, 7:22-25, 8:2, James 2:12) The faith of Christ, upon belief in Him, imputes righteousness unto you as well as creates in you the ability to do works worthy of being called righteous in the eyes of God: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”Ephesians 2:10(Also Romans 6:4, 8:29, Galatians 2:20-21,6:15, Ephesians 4:24, Philippians 1:10-11, Titus 3:5, Hebrews 11:32-33, 13:20-21, I John 2:29, 3:9, 3:24, 4:7, 4:16-17, 5:18)

This happens because God separates the works of our flesh (which are judged under the Mosaic Law) from the works of the Spirit of God indwelling us (which are judged by the law of faith) (Romans 7:15-25). According to God that part of us that commits sin is dead as are the works done in the flesh: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him [Christ], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6(also Romans 6:11, 7:5, 8:10, 8:13, Galatians 5:24, Colossians 3:9-10, I Peter 4:1-2)

The good works that we are lead to do happen because the Spirit of God is dwelling in us. These are the works that will be deemed righteous on the day of judgement and will be rewarded with eternal life. Some say that eternal life is both faith in Christ and good works. In the eyes of God those that believe in Him are created to do good works and the evil works wrought by the flesh are no longer part of our body of works.

Will we be granted eternal life by the faith of Christ? Most certainly. Will believers be found righteous on the day of judgement by our good works? It is impossible to be found otherwise. That’s what believers were created in Christ to do, good works.

Before we respond, we should know if you wrote this yourself or if you are taking this from another source.

I'd appreciate if you could make that clear.

Gracias.

sandy whitelinger said:

Righteousness by Faith

Judgement day will come for every one of us. Each of us will come before the judgement seat of Christ and will be judged according to our works. The eternal destination of every person will be finalized there.

Judgement will be according to law for both the Jew and the Gentile. There are two sets of laws that we can be judged by, the Mosaic Law and the law of faith. Unfortunately no one is justified under the Mosaic Law. The law was given because of transgressions and under the law, all are found guilty.

Still, scripture points out that, at the judgement seat, those whose have done good works will enter into eternal life. So the question arises, how can anyone be judged righteous by their works when the Bible is clear that no one is justified by works of the Mosaic Law. Scripture states that only by faith can we be found righteous in the eyes of God. Without the works of the law, faith is counted for righteousness.

What we are left with then is reconciling the concept of righteousness by faith and righteousness by good works on the day of judgement. At the judgement seat we need to be judged not by the works of the Law of Moses but by the law of faith in order to be found righteous. The faith of Christ, upon belief in Him, imputes righteousness unto you as well as creates in you the ability to do works worthy of being called righteous in the eyes of God. This happens because God separates the works of our flesh (which are judged under the Mosaic Law) from the works of the Spirit of God indwelling us (which are judged by the law of faith). According to God that part of us that commits sin is dead as are the works done in the flesh.

The good works that we are lead to do happen because the Spirit of God is dwelling in us. These are the works that will be deemed righteous on the day of judgement and will be rewarded with eternal life. Some say that eternal life is both faith in Christ and good works. In the eyes of God those that believe in Him are created to do good works and the evil works wrought by the flesh are no longer part of our body of works.

Will we be granted eternal life by the faith of Christ? Most certainly. Will believers be found righteous on the day of judgement by our good works? It is impossible to be found otherwise. That’s what believers were created in Christ to do, good works.

“I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” ​

Romans 7:25​

Click to expand...

The reasoning in this post is completely unclear. No words are defined - judgement, "justified," "Mosiac law," etc.

No biblical basis is given, and no interpretation of any text is discussed.

angellous_evangellous said:

Before we respond, we should know if you wrote this yourself or if you are taking this from another source.

I'd appreciate if you could make that clear.

Gracias.

Click to expand...

I wrote it myself.

angellous_evangellous said:

No biblical basis is given...

Click to expand...

Perhaps you missed post #3.

2 Judgement day will come for every one of us. Each of us will come before the judgement seat of Christ and will be judged according to our works.
To the contrary: only believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ

The eternal destination of every person will be finalized there.
To the contrary: eternal destination will not be at issue there

scripture points out that, at the judgement seat, those whose have done good works will enter into eternal life.
Truly truly I say to you: he who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life, and doesn't come into judgment but's passed out of death into life. An hour's coming and it's now when the dead'll hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear'll live

evil works wrought by the flesh are no longer part of our body of works.
To the contrary: if we say we've not sinned, we deceive ourselves, 1Jn 1:10

Will we be granted eternal life by the faith of Christ? Most certainly.
cuz eternal life's in me, my spirit's life now cuz o' righteousness

Will believers be found righteous on the day of judgement by our good works? It is impossible to be found otherwise.
To the contrary: believers' judgment's separate frum unregenerate (2 Cor 5:10; Rm 14:12; and Rv 20:11; Mt 25:46; Jn 5:29).
And some (many?) saints will hear "evil and slothful slave/ I never approved you. Cast out the useless slave into the outer darkness. In that place there'll be the weeping and gnashing o' teeth/Depart from Me you workers of lawlessness" Mt 7:21-23; 25:14-30.
Thanx

angellous_evangellous said:

The reasoning in this post is completely unclear. No words are defined - judgement, "justified," "Mosiac law," etc.

Click to expand...

Judgement: the act of judging

Judge: to pass sentance according to law

Justified: to be found guiltless

Mosaic Law: puhlease.

writer said:

2 Judgement day will come for every one of us. Each of us will come before the judgement seat of Christ and will be judged according to our works.
To the contrary: only believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ

Click to expand...

Please cite a scripture reference. Did you read the passage from Matthew 25 that was offered. Believers are sent into everlasting punishment. therefore both believers and non-believers are present at the judgement seat.

writer said:

The eternal destination of every person will be finalized there.

Click to expand...

writer said:

To the contrary: eternal destination will not be at issue there

Click to expand...

Did you read Matthew 25:46?

writer said:

scripture points out that, at the judgement seat, those whose have done good works will enter into eternal life.

Click to expand...

writer said:

Truly truly I say to you: he who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life, and doesn't come into judgment but's passed out of death into life. An hour's coming and it's now when the dead'll hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear'll live

Click to expand...

I think you ignored about 30 verses to the contrary. Could you justify how you circumvented them i n order to apply your verse?

writer said:

evil works wrought by the flesh are no longer part of our body of works.

Click to expand...

writer said:

To the contrary: if we say we've not sinned, we deceive ourselves, 1Jn 1:10

Click to expand...

You just didn't read or understand what I offered. I never stated that believers don't sin they are no longer considered in the body of works judged by God for salvation.

writer said:

Will we be granted eternal life by the faith of Christ? Most certainly.

Click to expand...

writer said:

cuz eternal life's in me, my spirit's life now cuz o' righteousness

Will believers be found righteous on the day of judgement by our good works? It is impossible to be found otherwise.

Click to expand...

Okay.

writer said:

To the contrary: believers' judgment's separate frum unregenerate (2 Cor 5:10; Rm 14:12; and Rv 20:11; Mt 25:46; Jn 5:29).
And some (many?) saints will hear "evil and slothful slave/ I never approved you. Cast out the useless slave into the outer darkness. In that place there'll be the weeping and gnashing o' teeth/Depart from Me you workers of lawlessness" Mt 7:21-23; 25:14-30.
Thanx

Click to expand...

I don't understand what this means? Could you clarify it in simple terms?

10 Please cite a scripture reference.
i did. Jn 5:29.
Resurrection of life; resurrection of judgment.
For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all'll be made alive.
But each in his own order: the firstfruits, Christ;
then those who are Christ's at His coming, 1 Cor 15:22-23.
Regenerated ones resurrect at His coming. Before millenium.
The perishing: 1000 years later. After millenium. Rv chapter 20

Did you read the passage from Matthew 25 that was offered.
yes

Believers are sent into everlasting punishment.
Regenerated believers aren't.
Him who comes to Me I'll by no means cast out, he who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life, and doesn't come into judgment but's passed out of death into life.
(I don't think anyone could not believe when facing their Maker)

therefore both believers and non-believers are present at the judgement seat.
To the contrary: only believers are, if by "judgment seat" u mean "bema" (i think's the Greek word 2 Cor 5:10)

Did you read Matthew 25:46?
yes. 'N cited too

I think you ignored about 30 verses to the contrary.
there r none

Could you justify how you circumvented them i n order to apply your verse?
if there r none, there'r nun 2 circumvent

You just didn't read or understand what I offered. I never stated that believers don't sin they are no longer considered in the body of works judged by God for salvation.
No works, period, r considered for the salvation you're talking about. Except "believing into Him whom He has sent" Jn 6:29.
In regard to the "body of works" which we believers will give an account of concerning ourselves, to our Lord, at His judgment seat, during His coming: although unconfessed sin(s) will remain; mainly it'll be our work, or lack thereof, in building up His church

I don't understand what this means? Could you clarify it in simple terms?
Hopefully 1st para here duz, sum.
Quickly, in regard to Mt 25:31-46:
that's not the same judgment as Mt 25:12 and 25:19-30.
They're the judgment seat of Christ. Of His children, only. Concerning reward or punishment. For the 1000 years. Reigning w/ their Master, in His glory, in His enjoyment, in His outward kingdom, on earth.
Or not.
That is: suffering discipline and "summer school" in "outer darkness" instead.
But in 25:31-46 He addresses some unregenerate folks, only. All the nations who remained alive after Armageddon, the great tribulation, etc, the last 3 'n 1/2 years before Christ returns.
They're either "sheep" or "goats."
Based on the criteria the Lord uses in those verses.
(That's not "the judgment seat of Christ."
That's, rather, specifically "the throne of His glory."
On earth. 25:31).
Pleze tel me, sir: if not adequately simple.
Thanx

There will be several types of judgments:

The Judgment of the Believer's sins John 5:24

The Judgment of the Believer's Self 1 Corinthians 5:10

The Judgment of the Believer's Works 2 Corinthians 5:30

The Judgment of the Nations Matthew 25:31-46

The Judgment of the Wicked Revelation 20:11-15



One thing that everyone has to understand is that there is a major difference in the doctrine of salvation for the lost, and the doctrine of rewards for the saved.
Salvatoin is "the gift of god, not of works" (Eph. 2:8-9)
Salvation is recieved by faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 3:36) Rewards are according to the works of the believer. (Matt. 16:27)


Every BELIEVER will be rewarded according to his own labor. We do not labor for salvation!!!
The BELIEVER is to build on the Lord Jesus Christ, the only foundation.
We are God's fellow workers, not for salvation, but for rewards.


These are the rewards given to BELIEVERS, not everyone recieves the same rewards:

THE CROWN OF LIFE

THE CROWN IMPERISHABLE

THE CROWN OF REJOICING

THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

THE CROWN OF GLORY


God Bless

Adil

Writer, we are going to need to address each issue one at a time or this post will become way to confusing. Let’s start here if you will:
I said:

sandy whitelinger said:

2 Judgement day will come for every one of us. Each of us will come before the judgement seat of Christ and will be judged according to our works.

Click to expand...

to which you relied:

writer said:

To the contrary: only believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ

Click to expand...

I replied:

sandy whitelinger said:

Did you read Matthew 25:46?

Click to expand...

you said:

writer said:

yes

Click to expand...

Matthew says this:

Matthew 25:46 said:

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Click to expand...

I also said:

sandy whitelinger said:

The eternal destination of every person will be finalized there.

Click to expand...

to which you replied:

writer said:

To the contrary: eternal destination will not be at issue there

Click to expand...

I will use the passage from Matthew 25:31-46 for this. First, all will come before this judgement (verse 32). The righteous will go on to eternal life and the unrighteous will go to eternal damnation (verse 46). This is contrary to your statement of:

writer said:

To the contrary: eternal destination will not be at issue there

Click to expand...

Now, if they are believers they will not be sent to everlasting danmation. This is in response to:

writer said:

To the contrary: only believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ

Click to expand...

adilrockstar said:

There will be several types of judgments:

The Judgment of the Believer's sins John 5:24

The Judgment of the Believer's Self 1 Corinthians 5:10

The Judgment of the Believer's Works 2 Corinthians 5:30

The Judgment of the Nations Matthew 25:31-46

The Judgment of the Wicked Revelation 20:11-15

Click to expand...

Could you justify your claims a little better?

And are you claiming these all happen at the same judgement seat in the same time frame?

adilrockstar said:

One thing that everyone has to understand is that there is a major difference in the doctrine of salvation for the lost, and the doctrine of rewards for the saved.
Salvatoin is "the gift of god, not of works" (Eph. 2:8-9)
Salvation is recieved by faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 3:36) Rewards are according to the works of the believer. (Matt. 16:27)

Click to expand...

I'm not denying this but am reconciling how at judgement all will be judged according to their works and eternal destination will be determined there. For the believer there are no bad works that will come before Christ to be judged. Therefore it's all good. I made this point in my post.

13 I will use the passage from Matthew 25:31-46 for this. First, all will come before this judgement (verse 32). The righteous will go on to eternal life and the unrighteous will go to eternal damnation (verse 46). This is contrary to your statement of: eternal destination will not be at issue there.
That's not contrary cuz, az i wrote last: 31-46 izn't "the judgment seat of Christ."
Thanx

writer said:

13 I will use the passage from Matthew 25:31-46 for this. First, all will come before this judgement (verse 32). The righteous will go on to eternal life and the unrighteous will go to eternal damnation (verse 46). This is contrary to your statement of: eternal destination will not be at issue there.
That's not contrary cuz, az i wrote last: 31-46 izn't "the judgment seat of Christ."
Thanx

Click to expand...

And what do you use to justify that position seeing as the passage begins with Jesus coming with His angels and sitting on His throne and passing judgement?

We are justified solely by God's grace through faith(Eph 2:5), but not by faith alone(James 2:24) But rather a faith "working" through acts of love and charity(Gal 5:6, Matt 25:31-46, Rom 2:5-10, Rev 22:12, John 5:28-29, Matt 16:27 ).

Mater Dei ora pro nobis

Hi Sandy. I think I understand something of what you are posing:

We are saved by grace, kept saved by grace, do good deeds of righteousness because God is working in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Phil.2:12

However, I believe you should clarify from the scriptures, the different judgments:

All people are not judged at the "judgment seat of Christ" at the same time. Paul tells us, the church/body, that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (Rom.10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10). This will occur in the heavenlies after the "rapture." Believers will not lose their salvation, but gain or lose rewards.

IMO, Israel, as the house of God, will suffer severe judgment during the last half of the 7 year tribulation, under the awful reign of the "Anti-Christ". The result of these afflictions will be that the Jews, out of their misery, will cry out to the Lord. And we know that Jesus as Messiah will return at the end of the 7 year period, to destroy Israel's enemies and establish the kingdom.

After His return, He will sit on his glory throne to judge the nations (gentiles) still alive, according to their treatment of His brethren (the Jews). In the parable in Matt. 25:31-46, the nations are figured as "sheep" or "goats". The "sheep" are granted life according their deeds..i.e. their treatment of the Jews during the tribulation; while the "goats" suffer correcting punishment.

The judging at the Great White Throne, described in Rev. 20:11-15, is the last judging set forth in the Bible. There, those who have been resurrected will be judged according to their works. And, since Christ, the judge, will judge in truth and rightness, individuals will suffer because of their hard and unrepentant heart, as Paul describes in Rom.2.

But, not all at this judgment will deserve death in the lake of fire: For we are told that there are those whose name is in the Book of Life. They have obviously been judged and granted life to come, in the New Earth. We read "without faith it is impossible to please God", so I perceive that through their faith and enough good deeds they are granted life.

Bick

athanasius said:

We are justified solely by God's grace through faith(Eph 2:5), but not by faith alone(James 2:24) But rather a faith "working" through acts of love and charity(Gal 5:6, Matt 25:31-46, Rom 2:5-10, Rev 22:12, John 5:28-29, Matt 16:27 ).

Mater Dei ora pro nobis

Click to expand...

I love when james 2 comes out the back pocket to Justify works for salvation.

Yes, faith without works is dead. to me that means your faith will not work on this earth if you do not do action.
Faith- i believe god will supply my needs / works- go get a job
Faith- i believe god will heal my body/ works- eat right, exercise
so on and so on

but, if you apply that to salvation, who's the judge on " how much" work you do?
Jesus died on the cross because you cannot do enough " good works", you will still fall short.

your belief in Jesus will cause good works, but please don't go down the road of WORKING your way to heaven, because our own righteousness is as filthy rags. God is not checking off your " good works" on a clipboard.

rocka21 said:

I love when james 2 comes out the back pocket to Justify works for salvation.

Yes, faith without works is dead. to me that means your faith will not work on this earth if you do not do action.
Faith- i believe god will supply my needs / works- go get a job
Faith- i believe god will heal my body/ works- eat right, exercise
so on and so on

but, if you apply that to salvation, who's the judge on " how much" work you do?
Jesus died on the cross because you cannot do enough " good works", you will still fall short.

your belief in Jesus will cause good works, but please don't go down the road of WORKING your way to heaven, because our own righteousness is as filthy rags. God is not checking off your " good works" on a clipboard.

Click to expand...

Thank you good brother. Perhaps you misudnerstand the Catholic teaching on works. You are right, faith without works is dead. There is nothing you can do on your own to earn or even merit anything. We are justified inintially by Gods grace alone(eph 2) and not by any works we can do lest we should boast. Catholics teach this. The Catholic church does not use the terminology "Faith alone" becuase the only time in scripture when you see that term used is when the words "Not By" are in front of it(James 2:24). It is interesting to note that Martin Luther the reformer wanted to throw out the book of James in the bible because he saw how this contradicted his own teaching on faith alone.

However in the several years of communication between the protestant churches and Catholic Churches we realized that we are not nearly as far off as we thought we were on this issue. Catholics and protestants use different terminology and that can be one problem when defining theological concepts or terms of faith. This is becuase we have had a 4 1/2 centuries gulf between the two of us.

Catholics can accept the term "faith alone" if what you mean by faith alone includes works of love as Paul teaches in (Gal 5:6). This kind of faith that includes works of love done soley by Gods life giving grace in you are rewarded(Merited) as God promised with eternal life as (Rom 2:5-10, Gal; 6:7-10, Matt 25:31-46, Phil 2:12, Matt 7:21, John 5:28-29) show. If you mean that by faith alone then Catholics do not have a problem with the term faith alone.

The key to understanding the Catholic doctrine, which I beleive is the biblical and correct doctrine, is to remember that we are not justified by our own works apart from Gods grace. We are also not justified by the works of the mosaic Law as Paul shows in Romans. We are not under the law of moses anymore, we are under Christ law(Gal 6:2) and more importantly we are under Christ Jesus Grace(Eph 2:5) which enables us to to good works and walk in them(Eph 2:10). Jesus said "apart from me you can do nothing". But with Christ grace we "can" do all things in him who streghtens us(Phil 4:13). We Catholics believe that once we have recieved Christs free gift of his life giving grace via initial salvation, then we believe that we can do things and God will reward them with eternal life as the scripture mentions and so did the fathers of the church(Rom 2:5-10 Gal 6:6-10, Matt 25:31-46).

It is important to understand that God rewards(Merit, simply refers to rewards given to us by God and his promise) those works with eternal life for two reasons. 1) Because of his promise to us, not becuase we deserve it 2) Because when we do anything good, it is really God and soley his grace working in us to do good. So God in affect rewards his own handi-work. That is how St Augustine, as early Doctor and father of Christianity int he 4th century put it. So in affact any good work I do, God had to give me the grace to do it in the first place, I could not do it on my own. Its soly Gods grace.

at least that been the 2000 year old Catholic teaching since the beginning of the Catholic Church