A Higher Reward

[B-A-C]

For the sake of this thread, let us assume the person here is saved.
Now maybe there is once saved always saved, maybe not... but for this discussion let us assume we are saved.
There are already too many OSAS threads.

Ok, so now I am saved and I am going to heaven and I have eternal life and I get to meet Jesus.
That's all amazing and great and I don't want to take away from any of that, but....

Even though I am saved, is there more to it?
I am saved by grace yes, not by works certainly.
But now I am past that, I am already saved. Do works have any value?

Jas 2:14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food,
Jas 2:16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
Jas 2:18 But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Jas 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
Jas 2:20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
Jas 2:22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
Jas 2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS," and he was called the friend of God.
Jas 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
Jas 2:25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
Jas 2:26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

1Cor 3:12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
1Cor 3:13 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.
1Cor 3:14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.
1Cor 3:15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Works aren't what saves you, but is there reward for them?
I believe that when we saved, we are all saved equally.
What I mean is, you have eternal life and go to heaven and meet Jesus just like me.
That is great, and that is good enough for some people, but what if there is more?

What if the reason we are given trials on this world is so we can reap a higher reward?

The Bible talk about those who overcome.
Rev 2:7 says those who overcome will be granted to eat from the tree of life.
Rev 2:10 says some will be tested and tried, those who are faithful will receive a crown of life.
Rev 2:17 says you will given hidden manna, and a white stone, and a new secret name.
Rev 2:26 says those who overcome will be given authority over the nations.
Rev 3:5 says we will be given white garments.
Rev 3:12 says the one who overcomes will be a pillar in the temple and Jesus will write the name of God on him.
Rev 3:21 says those who overcome will be granted to sit on the throne with Jesus.
James 1:12 says those who persevere under trials will receive a crown of righteousness.

Will some of us be more rewarded in heaven than others? Now it's easy enough to say, I will just be happy to get to heaven. Yes, I will also, but is just getting in by the skin of our teeth be what we should really be striving for?

The Bible says God will reward certain things that believers do.
Matt 6:6; Matt 10:42; Mark 9:41; Luke 6:35; and 1 Cor 3:8; also 1Cor 9:17; and 2 John 1:8
1Cor 9:24-26 talks about not only running the race, but running it in a manner to win.

1Pet 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
1Pet 1:7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

The Bible talks a lot about believers striving (Heb 12:4) and being tested (2Cor 8:22 and 1Tim 3:10) so the question is, if we are already saved, what are we being tested for?
Again, I say we are not saved by works, but once we are saved, might it be that some will receive a higher reward for the works they do?

 

[B-A-C]

Another verse about this came to me today.

Heb 11:35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection;

A better resurrection?

Rev 7:13 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?"
Rev 7:14 I said to him, "My lord, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Rev 7:15 "For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them.
Rev 7:16 "They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat;
Rev 7:17 for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

Rev 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.

Matt 5:10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Matt 5:12 "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

2Tim 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

It seems there are higher rewards for passing some trials and tests.

 

[Davy]

Hi, B-A-C.

You mentioned the frequent debates on "once saved, always saved," and I think your comments really does show the need to demonstrate faith in order for one to be saved. They are not a way of earning higher privileges in heaven, but proving your faith in order to be saved.

Some people in the new and old testament who were chosen by God to do tasks, but later backslid. These were rejected by God who judged them for their unfaithfulness or lack of good works that showed their unfaithfulness. Like a number of prophets and even Judas, who was chosen by Jesus himself. Furthermore, Satan, who was a powerful angel in heaven failed to produce righteous works and demonstrate his faith in God and his standards in heaven, so God rejected him and all those angels who followed him. So it would seam righteous works do not get you greater privileges in heaven, they demonstrate your faith in order to be saved and remain saved, even when in heaven, as was the case with Satan and all those angels that rebelled with him.

 

[Isaac001]

Hi, B-A-C.

You mentioned the frequent debates on "once saved, always saved," and I think your comments really does show the need to demonstrate faith in order for one to be saved. They are not a way of earning higher privileges in heaven, but proving your faith in order to be saved.

What if there was a man who went to Church 3 times a week, tithed all of there income and volunteered for all of the church events that went on, would he be proving that he has faith for salvation?

Now what if the motive of that man was not God but instead he wanted status, this changes things doesn't it...

You can not judge the salvation of a man by what he does because people can always fake holiness by what they do.

Works can be the evidence of faith and salvation but works can not obtain or sustain salvation.
Grace and Peace

 

[Davy]

Hi, Isaac001:
That is an interesting comment. However, although there are many churches that engage in benevolent acts of kindness to people in need. There are also many people and organizations that have no religious affiliation and also engage in the same benevolent acts of kindness. Although Jesus said you should assist the poor and help the sick, the works I was referring to were the choosing to cultivate the fruitage of the spirit: love, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, mildness, self-control, etc. (Galatians 5:22, 23) As well as other righteous works which are the opposite of 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, idolaters, thieves, greedy persons, drunkards, revilers, extortioners and dare I quote the bible, men who lie with men.

But also refusing to commit fornication--casual sex before marriage, not committing adultery even within ones own heart, not polluting ones body with cancer causing nicotine or illegal drugs. Choosing to be freely forgiving, even to one's enemy, seeking peace and turning the other cheek even against an enemy. Accepting repentant hardened criminals, prostitutes, etc, into one's life. Refusing to listen to or help spread nasty gossip, even about someone who has offended you in the past.

These are the primary "Christian" works I think the bible is talking about, as many not believers would see no reason or benefit to practice such things, especially as only God can see if you do not commit adultery in your heart, do not murder people by hating them in your heart and freely forgive and genuinely love one's enemies. These works in God's eyes show you truly believe in God, love his standards as you secretly live your life according to them.

Doing the coffee morning at the local church, although a righteous work, or giving all your money especially if you do not practice the above things, is not exactly what I had in mind, and I don't think that is what the bible refers to either. Therefore, as only the ransom sacrifice gives salvation, only practicing righteous works like the above in your mind and heart shows to God you are serious about obeying him.