Getting back to the original question:
Originally posted by RoachTron
If Heaven was not the reward for being a follower of God and Jesus, would you still walk in the ways of the Lord? How would your life change from now if the bible never mentioned the reward Heaven and the punishment Hell? And are you only a Christian for the Reward?
The thing to note is that Heaven is not the reward. The promises of God to those who obey Him are very clear and definite. If we ask with Peter, What shall we have therefore? the Lords answer to us as to him is, Everlasting life. Matt. 19:27-29
He did not say happiness, He did not say fellowship with God, or glory, or peace, or joy (though all these things are included. Isa. 35:1,2,10; 65:18,19; 25:8; Rev. 21:4), but life life, without which none of the others would ever be. Over and over again is this precious truth repeated in scriptures such as these: Matt. 7:14; 19:17,29; 25:46; Mark 10:30; John 3:16; 4:14; 5:29,40; 10:10, 28; 11:25, 26; Rom. 2:7; 6:23; Gal. 6:8; 1 Tim. 6:12; James 1:12; 1 John 2:25; Rev. 2:10.
The promise of God to Abraham (Gen. 17:8) was an inheritance of the land. Since he has never yet received it (Acts 7:5) he must first receive everlasting life. Christians, sharing Abrahams inheritance (Gal. 3:29), shall also be recompensed in the earth. Prov.11:31; Psa. 37:9, 11, 22, 29; Matt. 5:5; Rev. 5:10. They shall reign with Christ in his kingdom (Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:29, 30; Rev. 2:26, 27; 3:21; 20:4-6), which is not in heaven, but will be on earth at His coming. Psa. 2:8; 115:16; Isa. 9:6, 7; Jer. 23:5; Dan. 2:44; 7:13, 14, 18, 27; Zech 14:9; Luke 1:32, 33; Rev. 11:15.
Then shall the earth be made new (Isa. 65:17-25) and become the eternal home of the righteous. In bodies (not souls) of glorious immortality (Isa. 35:5, 6; Phil. 3:21; Rom. 8:11, 23) they shall ever manifest Gods transcendent gift (Rom. 6:32) of LIFE.
If you think that Heaven is your reward, then you will have missed the boat, since the Kingdom of God will be set upon the earth.