the time. He had to have mourned over the sins of those around Him and the dishonor they gave to God. RS: Christ earned a perfect righteousness for His people, but He also suffered and died for their sins. It is not only about the earned and imputed righteousness of Christ, it is also about propitiation. McMark: If there were indeed a future justification based on our works, then we who are justified by Christ's obedience alone are without hope, and Christ died in vain. RS: You are mixing two things up. The hope of an eternity with God where believers can behold His glory is based on the propitiatory work of Christ on the cross and the imputed righteousness of Christ. James, however, does speak of another justification and it cannot be denied. It is not, however, a justification for salvation. The Bible also speaks of a judgment of works. But if the works are prepared by God beforehand that we may walk in them (Eph 2:10), then they are of God. We are told very clearly that we are not saved by our works (Eph 2:1-10), but that we are saved for works. Works are very important, but they do not justify or add to justification in any way. It is only those who have been delivered from the Law (in that sense) that stands against them and as a way of earning righteousnes in their own strength and works that can truly do good works out of