Originally Posted by dberrie2000 View Post---Agreed. But the reason they can be judged according to their works--is they had an opportunity to choose and be judged according to their own works. If God had not Atoned for them--they would not ever had had the chance to make choices--it would not make any difference what they did--they would be condemned, period. They would have never had a chance.
Quote Originally Posted by MacG View Post
Please restate.
IOW--the Atonement absolved all men from the condemnation of the Fall that automatically befell upon all men---making it possible to answer for our own sins-- not the sins of someone else. The Fall brought death and hell upon all--the Atonement released us from the consequences of that in the resurrection and the Blood Atonement for all the sins of the world. That provides all men with the opportunity to inherit eternal life--by obeying the conditions set by the Redeemer. Up to that point--men could do what they may--but the condemnation of the Fall still rested upon them, and there was no way to release them from that condemnation--all men were subject to the consequences of death and hell.

It was a free gift to all men--the Atonement of Jesus Christ--that released them from those consequences, as an automatic consequence. Nothing required--and it came upon all men when Christ finished it--not when one adds something to it--such as faith, works, belief, trust, etc. Now, we answer for our own sins--what we choose to obey--not what Adam did.

Faith alone have a misguided belief that if they believe in the Atonement--"accept" it--they will be saved. That is a false belief--the Atonement did not forgive a single sin--nor give one person eternal life. It gave all the OPPORTUNITY to inherit life--by obeying the conditions set by the Redeemer--Jesus Christ. The Atonement provided the opportunity for the forgiveness of sins--through repentance and water baptism--having faith in Christ.

I have asked the question often--if the Atonement forgave sins--then why were all commanded to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins--and that after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

The Bible testifies against almost every doctrine the faith alone have. They are no longer led of the living apostles and prophets--and do stumble, as the Jews did. Their theologies will not match the Biblical record--quite to the contrary.