Equal salvation but unequal rewards in heaven

[alaric]

What must we do to get the ticket to heaven?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.

The ticket to heaven is a free-gift from God to whoever believe in Jesus and his finished work on the cross. It cannot be earn but can only be receive in humility. Since we cannot earn salvation, we cannot lose it.

What are rewards in heaven?

Matthew 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.

Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 6:1 Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.

Rewards can only be earn. Every Christian will be judge and reward by Jesus based on their works. Every Christian will receive different level of rewards.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Rewards can be lost. God has predestined all Christians for good works. The amount of rewards that we earned is based on how much we submit ourselves to God to do the good works that he has prepared in advance for our entire lifetime.

Conclusion:

In heaven, there are good and bad Christians who are unequally rewarded.

In hell, no matter how good or great you are. You do not receive any reward. Only different severity of punishment.

 

[Mark Quayle]

What must we do to get the ticket to heaven?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.

The ticket to heaven is a free-gift from God to whoever believe in Jesus and his finished work on the cross. It cannot be earn but can only be receive in humility. Since we cannot earn salvation, we cannot lose it.

What are rewards in heaven?

Matthew 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.

Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 6:1 Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.

Rewards can only be earn. Every Christian will be judge and reward by Jesus based on their works. Every Christian will receive different level of rewards.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Rewards can be lost. God has predestined all Christians for good works. The amount of rewards that we earned is based on how much we submit ourselves to God to do the good works that he has prepared in advance for our entire lifetime.

Conclusion:

In heaven, there are good and bad Christians who are unequally rewarded.

In hell, no matter how good or great you are. You do not receive any reward. Only different severity of punishment.

I want to add, to this, that the rewards will also be according to the mercy of God. Not only are we there aware that any good we did was him doing it in us, ("for to me to live is Christ"; "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do according to his purpose" and even the crowns given will be laid at HIS feet), but nothing good is spontaneous within the Romans 7 believer, but rather it is FROM GOD.

It is also worth mentioning that the reprobate, though certainly unable and unwilling to be thankful for anything at all, should be glad at least that God in his mercy restrained them, to whatever degree he did so, from fully pursuing the rottenness of their "spirit of death" while living in this temporal existence we call life. There is nothing good in them.

 

[Paleouss]

Rewards can only be earn. Every Christian will be judge and reward by Jesus based on their works. Every Christian will receive different level of rewards.

Greetings and love, alaric. I hope you had a great week. Thank you for posting this topic. I don't have many objections. Only one concern or slight rub. That being the approach to "rewards" in heaven.

Although I do not deny that there are some verses that might suggest "rewards". My post isn't about whether there may or may not be rewards in heaven.

My concern is how this might be focused on and formulated. As a notice, I have taken some of your quotes out of order to better construct my post.

Every Christian will be judge and reward

Should one place the word "judged" within the theme of rewards in heaven? To me, this seems out of place. The word "judged" seems to carry the connotation of the Law and justice. Something I'm not sure "rewards" has anything to do with.

In heaven, there are good and bad Christians who are unequally rewarded.

Here the dichotomy of "good" and "bad" seems misplaced or misused. If you are placing these labels based on time on earth, then the use of James' "double-minded man” (Jam 1:8) might be the more appropriate negative connotation. I like Paul's distinction between a "child" and a "man" or "mature" (1Cor 13:11, 1Cor 3:2) better.

The point, those in heaven don't seem to constitute the word "bad", for they are covered with the righteousness of Christ. But they may walk more like a child spiritually in this world as apposed to those who walk more spiritually mature.

Rewards can only be earn.

So, I don't have a disagreement, per se, that rewards are "earned". However, what are we suggesting our focus should be here, regarding this knowledge.

Where is this good man’s claim that “you are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You” (Psa 16:2)? Where is the good man's lowliness of heart that replies, I am an "unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do." (Luke 17:10).

If these verses are true, that is how we should approach this subject of rewards, then how can we claim "rewards", or keep them? By keep them I mean, it is very possible that the proper thing to do with these "rewards in heaven" is to "cast" them "before the throne" (Rev 4:10-11) of the Son of God. Saying, "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created." (Rev 4:10-11).

So my point here is this, thoroughly understanding how one does fruitful works is to understand the proper way to approach passages in the Bible that suggest rewards in heaven, I think. We should come to this topic humbly, with a contrite heart, and with the humility that there is “no good apart from [God]” (Psa 16:2), and we "labor more abundantly than they all" (1Cor 15:10) because of the "grace of God" (1Cor 15:10) which is in us.

Peace to you, Brother

 

[Mark Quayle]

Greetings and love, alaric. I hope you had a great week. Thank you for posting this topic. I don't have many objections. Only one concern or slight rub. That being the approach to "rewards" in heaven.

Although I do not deny that there are some verses that might suggest "rewards". My post isn't about whether there may or may not be rewards in heaven.

My concern is how this might be focused on and formulated. As a notice, I have taken some of your quotes out of order to better construct my post.

Should one place the word "judged" within the theme of rewards in heaven? To me, this seems out of place. The word "judged" seems to carry the connotation of the Law and justice. Something I'm not sure "rewards" has anything to do with.

As our brother here seems young in expression of good thought, I wanted to give him a break, here. I think he means that it is our deeds that are judged, as in, we too "will give account", and, "in as much as you have done it to these....you have done it unto me."

Here the dichotomy of "good" and "bad" seems misplaced or misused. If you are placing these labels based on time on earth, then the use of James' "double-minded man” (Jam 1:8) might be the more appropriate negative connotation. I like Paul's distinction between a "child" and a "man" or "mature" (1Cor 13:11, 1Cor 3:2) better.

The point, those in heaven don't seem to constitute the word "bad", for they are covered with the righteousness of Christ. But they may walk more like a child spiritually in this world as apposed to those who walk more spiritually mature.

So, I don't have a disagreement, per se, that rewards are "earned". However, what are we suggesting our focus should be here, regarding this knowledge.

Where is this good man’s claim that “you are my Lord, my goodness is nothing apart from You” (Psa 16:2)? Where is the good man's lowliness of heart that replies, I am an "unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do." (Luke 17:10).

Very good point.

If these verses are true, that is how we should approach this subject of rewards, then how can we claim "rewards", or keep them? By keep them I mean, it is very possible that the proper thing to do with these "rewards in heaven" is to "cast" them "before the throne" (Rev 4:10-11) of the Son of God. Saying, "You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created." (Rev 4:10-11).

As a Soteriological monergist, I have made several OPs here and elsewhere on the monergism of Sanctification. You might find it remarkable, as, to the Reformed or Calvinist mind, the difference is obvious between the monergism of regeneration vs of sanctification, but most people of every ilk I run into seem to agree, in the end, that it is GOD who gets all the credit —even when he says, "Well done, good and faithful servant". That moment when the crowns are laid at HIS feet, will be so very happy, and so completely RIGHT! This is GOD's doing!

So my point here is this, thoroughly understanding how one does fruitful works is to understand the proper way to approach passages in the Bible that suggest rewards in heaven, I think. We should come to this topic humbly, with a contrite heart, and with the humility that there is “no good apart from [God]” (Psa 16:2), and we "labor more abundantly than they all" (1Cor 15:10) because of the "grace of God" (1Cor 15:10) which is in us.

Amen that! For it is God who works in you both to will and to do according to his purposes.

Peace to you, Brother

 

[com7fy8]

If Jesus is concerned about if we do things to be seen by men, I would say our works will be judged . . . by if they have been done in humility. Our works, then, will be evaluated by how we have been while doing them.

So, we will be judged, in order to judge our works.

 

[StayStill46]

What must we do to get the ticket to heaven?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.

The ticket to heaven is a free-gift from God to whoever believe in Jesus and his finished work on the cross. It cannot be earn but can only be receive in humility. Since we cannot earn salvation, we cannot lose it.

What are rewards in heaven?

Matthew 10:42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.

Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 6:1 Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.

Rewards can only be earn. Every Christian will be judge and reward by Jesus based on their works. Every Christian will receive different level of rewards.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Rewards can be lost. God has predestined all Christians for good works. The amount of rewards that we earned is based on how much we submit ourselves to God to do the good works that he has prepared in advance for our entire lifetime.

Conclusion:

In heaven, there are good and bad Christians who are unequally rewarded.

In hell, no matter how good or great you are. You do not receive any reward. Only different severity of punishment.

The wonderful thing about salvation is that it’s not about what we can do—it’s about what Jesus has already done for us. John 3:16 tells us, 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.' Salvation is a gift from God, freely given to all who put their faith in Jesus. It’s not about earning a ticket to heaven but trusting in Jesus, who paid the price for our sins on the cross. Have you experienced the joy of knowing Him as your Savior?

 

[ViaCrucis]

Given the things the Lord said, I would very much expect that the highest reward in heaven is cleaning the bathroom--and I don't mean this as a bad thing, I mean if we are taking Jesus seriously, then it is the lowest and least who are called greatest.

If we are imagining heavenly rewards to be anything similar to how we conceive of rewards in this world, then we are in for an incredibly rude awakening.

Therefore live like you are going to be heaven's toilet cleaner. That is greatness.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Avaree]

I'll also add this:

If we go way back to the first covenant, GOD made a promise to bless the Israelites. But there were conditions too. To receive the blessings or rewards from GOD they (the Israelites) had to obey and follow the laws they were given.

In the new covenant, we are told:
"There is forgiveness of sin for all who turn to Christ Jesus and that the way to eternal life is knowing GOD ALMIGHTY and Christ Jesus WHOM HE SENT to earth."

But as with the old covenant, the new one also offers rewards that are far greater. Look at Revelations:

1. Rev 2:7:
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

2. Rev 2:11:
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.

3. Rev 2:17:
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

4. Rev 2:26:
To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

5. Rev 3:5:
The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

6. Rev 3:12:
The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

7. Rev 3:21:
To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”


It's wonderful to be a servant of GOD because the rewards are great.