According to Each One's Deeds

So far Peter has told us we have a loving Father who stands as an  impartial judge. Now how does this work in light of the whole phrase:  "If you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds…"?

Earlier in the chapter Peter states: "According to his  great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ…" (1 Pe 1:3). Our actions do not bring about salvation. It is God's mercy that does so. Peter also says, "… [S]et your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy'" (1 Pe 1:13-16). In other words, grace comes through Jesus not through us.

We are God's children and therefore reflect God. Just as a child resembles his parents, so we resemble God. We are holy because He is holy. It is like saying I am a Christopher because my dad is a Christopher. We did not become holy because we were awesome so therefore God decided to grant us holiness. No, we are holy because He is holy. I can no more change the fact that I have my dad's eyes than I can the fact that I am holy because my Father is holy.

As Christians, we are new creations, an alien species, children of God (2 Co 5:17, 1 Jn 3:1). I may not be mature and may still choose sin but I am still holy in God's eyes. Maturity is not a mark of holiness. You either are holy or you are not holy. There are no varying degrees of holiness or higher levels of holiness to obtain. There are greater levels of maturity but not of holiness.

He then says we will go through trials to test the validity of our faith. Our faith will be refined. I believe it is these deeds that he speaks of. Were we faithful through the trials? If we failed miserably, did we return to Jesus and continue seeking Him? We are not judged based on another's actions but on our actions or lack of action.

There is no longer a need to try to pay for your own sins because it has already been done. There is no need to live in a constant state of guilt over past sins. There is no longer a need to hold onto bitterness. "'I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more' (Jer 31:34). Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin" (He 10:17-18). We can stop trying to nail ourselves to a cross because Jesus already did that. He already took our place. Our Father judged us according to our deeds and punished Jesus then forgave us. Jesus took our place so we could have a right and good relationship with the Father again.

God does not see us in light of our mistakes. Instead, he sees us in light of Jesus (2 Co 2:15). When God looks at us, He sees Jesus in us not the sin that once defined us. We have a new identity.