Dr. Bock:
May I ask another question, which is indirectly tied to your small/large gospel table illustration? If this does not fit into this discussion thread, than can we take this up separately or can you recommend some literature on this?

I am trying to understand how Paul and the other NT writers shift from acceptance by faith in Jesus’ atonement now (Rom. 3:20-25) to acceptance at the final judgment based on works (Rom 2:13, 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 5:10; Eph. 6:8; Col. 3:22-4:1).

My background taught me to make a clear distinction between justification and sanctification (I am ok with this) and to carefully never mix the two in discussions of salvation (not so sure). I don’t see the same sensitivity in the NT. I was taught to see sanctification as a separate work of God, really separate, to the point that it is irrelevant to the final judgment for salvation. It was tied to “rewards” (1 Cor. 3:10-15). The word “inheritance” (1 Cor. 6:9) was treated as equivalent to rewards. If I didn’t care about rewards I could skate into heaven without obeying. But some of Paul’s language is not so cleanly separated.

I understand that my justification today is a pulling forward of God’s acceptance of me on judgment day. I understand that God is doing many things in salvation, which includes forgiveness because of Christ (Rom. 8:33) and life change to be like Christ (Rom. 8:29). Are the apostles using the two perspectives – faith and works produced as a result of faith – interchangeably? I don’t see them explaining clearly how they can make this shift so easily when it causes us such heart burn.

Thanks for considering this,
Paul