Paul had much to say about justification by faith alone also rewards.
Jesus spoke about rewards in heaven.
God created us to be motivated with an inner drive or urge.
Rewards are the result of obedience & loss thereof of disobedience.
One can lose or gain a reward while still retaining their salvation.
All of us will one day have to give an account to God & all will know about it.
This should make a difference in the way we live.
Whatever teaching crosses your path, if it inspires you to live a godly life, listen.
If not then have nothing to do with it.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 'Run in such a way as to get the prize. Every one who competes in the games goes into strict training. Some to gain a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run aimlessly, I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. I keep my body under control & bring it into subjection lest that by any means after I have preached to others, I should be a castaway, or disqualified.'
The greater our reward the greater the glory of Christ who gave His life to gain us.
Our crown is to adorn Him. May we be able to do that!
Reward misthos 29 times in NT Matthew 5:12
1 Corinthians 3:10-14 'Each one should build with care, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed by fire which will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives the builder will receive a reward. If it is burnt up the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved even though as one escaping through the flames.'
Prize brabeion 1 Corinthians 9:24 '...in a race all the runners run, but only one gets a prize.'
2 Timothy 4:7-8 'I have fought the good fight I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge will award me on that Day & not only to me but also to all who have longed for His appearing.'
Inheritance kleranomia 14 times in NT
Acts 7:5 God gave Abraham no inheritance. God promised him that he & his descendants would possess the land. Colossians 3:24 ' You will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward'
Salvation Hebrews 1:14 Those who will inherit salvation.
Not all in heaven will receive a reward. All there are justified, sinless, through faith in Christ.
Salvation is by grace apart from works Ephesians 2:8-9 'For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.'
We cannot take credit for being chosen, for Christ dying for us, for being given faith, for being kept from falling & going astray.
We are saved because we rely on the foundation which is Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 3:11
The structure and the quality thereof is the result of obedience.
The foundation is perfect. The sinless life of Jesus Hebrews 4:15 ' He was tempted in every way as we are yet, He did not sin.' His obedience to death on a cross.
Philippians 2:6-8 It cannot be shaken & will last forever. Our reward is based upon the quality of the structure we build.
1 Samuel 16:7 Man looks at the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart
Salvation is based on grace. Grace = unmerited, undeserved favour of God. It resulted in us responding in faith, repenting & confessing Christ. Works are what we do.
Isaiah 26:12 'You have ordained peace for us; for all that we have accomplished is what You have done'
Luke 17:10 'When you have done everything you were told to do, you should say "we are servants, we have only done what You told us to do. You owe us nothing."'
All believers should produce fruit.
1 Corinthians 3:9 You are God’s field. Obedience will result in fruit. John 15:1-6 Fruit is the result of abiding in Christ & allowing Him to reproduce in yourselves.
1 Corinthians 3:14 'If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.' Will it survive fire? Gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw. Did we apply in our lives the Word of God. Did it result in change & fruit?
Our response to temptation? Flee from it.
Trials? Murmur/ complain or regard it as God at work.
Use of the tongue? Matthew 12:36-37 Every one will have to give account for every idle word they uttered.
See everything that is said is in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
What we are is the result of our response to what God has done & our response to what He continues to do. Philippians 1:6 He that has begun a good work in you will bring it to completion.
Any work we do is the result of all that preceded it. 1 Peter 4:12 'Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you.'
How do we endure trials and difficulties in life. Will it result in “Well done good & faithful servant."
Peter calls it a fiery trial. It lights up. It comes without warning. It exposes our character. God orders it. He is in control.
The fire that accompanies Jesus Christ at His return 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 When the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire, He will punish those who do not know God & not obey the gospel.
It will burn up works of straw = no reward. Souls still saved. Dashing through fire to escape. The three in Daniel escaped – the fire did not touch them.
Fire exposes the quality of the structure. The Lord knows those who are His.
Luther : Three surprises in heaven: 1 Those that I did not expect to be there. 2 Those absent I expected to be there. 3. Biggest surprise! I am there!
Those who have a reward when I thought they would not get it. Those who don't receive a reward when I thought they would. When I hear from Jesus, ”Well done good & faithful servant.”
Think of eternity when you live in time. Use your time well, it will have eternal repercussions.
