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Good question. I haven't studied this topic enough to have formed an opinion.
But there are indications in the bible where degrees of reward or punishment are hinted at.
What are we to make of the following:
Matthew 5: 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 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
However, Paul seems to have the answer:
Phillipians 3: 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
But there are indications in the bible where degrees of reward or punishment are hinted at.
What are we to make of the following:
Matthew 5: 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 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
However, Paul seems to have the answer:
Phillipians 3: 7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
P
Why do you have a problem with rewards? The bible talks about them, Jesus when he comes he comes with are rewards.
Rv22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
What is the problem you are having about rewards? Are you worried that you might not get any rewards when Jesus comes, what is it?
Rv22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
What is the problem you are having about rewards? Are you worried that you might not get any rewards when Jesus comes, what is it?
B
I agree there's no reward greater that eternal life with Jesus. As for the crowns and house;
2 Timothy 4:8
8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Isaiah 65:21
21And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
Heaven will be fun, but it's all about spending time with Jesus.
2 Timothy 4:8
8Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Isaiah 65:21
21And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
Heaven will be fun, but it's all about spending time with Jesus.
im only saying what I have learned after studying this. Steve Gregg brought up some very good points. I'm all up for receiving rewards in heaven, however what on this earth is more precious than Jesus? what possibly could be more rewarding than Jesus? gold? silver? precious jewels? gold pressed latinum!?
but if you want to discuss possible rewards that are better than Jesus, then be my guest.
but if you want to discuss possible rewards that are better than Jesus, then be my guest.
B
Salvation is a gift not earned. Our works are done by faith by jesus working through us. Our works and faithfullness will be rewarded by crowns and stars in those crowns. At the bema judgement all saved believers will give account of every deed and it will be tried by fire. Good works will be refined and impure works will be burned up. Those who die a martyr for christ will inherit the crown of life. Those who look foward to his coming a crown of righteousness etc. The bema is for believers and the great white throne judgement is for nonbelievers. This is where jesus will have to say depart from me, I never knew you. This is why all tears will be wiped awa in heaven. We may see loved ones who never accepted jesus, but we are all his children. Imagine how he will feel sending his own creation that he died to save, away from him forever. There will also be different robes and gowns for clothing acording to what we have accomplished for christ. It would be tough to include scripture, I only have internet through my phone.
Your question is not all inclusive.
If we are judged on works, in additon to our faith, then there must be a reason.
Perhaps our ability to experience Jesus' love may be greater, which would be a reward.
For example, if two people go to a music concert, the same notes fall on both people's ears, yet one person may experience greater enjoyment than the other.
Is this not possible in heaven? Is it not possible for some to have a greater enjoyment of the fellowship with Jesus than others? The bible does not rule out this possibility. It only rules out grief and sorrow and unhappiness.
There would also be no feelings of regret or jealousy, for we would be unaware that the other person was experiencing greater awareness of Jesus' love.
I am not saying that the above is a fact, but it is at least a possibility. I am just guessing.
The archangel Michael told Daniel that he was "highly esteemed in heaven".
Will those who throw their lives away and barely make it in have as great a reward in heaven as Daniel? I wonder. Remember the parable of the talents.
If there are indications in the bible that there are rewards in addition to salvation, then you cannot rule it out by a self righteous questioning of someone's values by declaring, "you have Jesus, what more could you possibly want?"
Certainly all saved Christians have the spirit of Christ within them. And yet, I am here to tell you, that there are some that are a lot happier than others.
We don't know enough to be that dogmatic about it.
If we are judged on works, in additon to our faith, then there must be a reason.
Perhaps our ability to experience Jesus' love may be greater, which would be a reward.
For example, if two people go to a music concert, the same notes fall on both people's ears, yet one person may experience greater enjoyment than the other.
Is this not possible in heaven? Is it not possible for some to have a greater enjoyment of the fellowship with Jesus than others? The bible does not rule out this possibility. It only rules out grief and sorrow and unhappiness.
There would also be no feelings of regret or jealousy, for we would be unaware that the other person was experiencing greater awareness of Jesus' love.
I am not saying that the above is a fact, but it is at least a possibility. I am just guessing.
The archangel Michael told Daniel that he was "highly esteemed in heaven".
Will those who throw their lives away and barely make it in have as great a reward in heaven as Daniel? I wonder. Remember the parable of the talents.
If there are indications in the bible that there are rewards in addition to salvation, then you cannot rule it out by a self righteous questioning of someone's values by declaring, "you have Jesus, what more could you possibly want?"
Certainly all saved Christians have the spirit of Christ within them. And yet, I am here to tell you, that there are some that are a lot happier than others.
We don't know enough to be that dogmatic about it.
A reward is earned through faithfulness to the call of God, a gift is imputed by grace when we believe as an undeserving sinner, because of the work of Christ. The Lord is our portion not our reward. Eternal life is a gift not a reward. Reigning with Christ is earned, inheriting the kingdom of God's dear Son is a gift of grace through the merits of Christ. Your a little mixed up and I am not surprised because you like to mix a little work into grace so that you can feel good about yourself. If you put yourself under a pastor-teacher that God has raised up, all these problems you are having might clear up for you. The pastor would be a gift, but if you believed and obeyed God it would be imputed to you for righteousness. It might take you awhile to understand that, but God can increase your faith if your open to it through humility.
You know the scriptures, so you tell us.
We are joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17), heirs according to promise (Gal 3:29) according to hope of eternal life (Titus 3:7), heirs of salvation (Heb 1:14), heirs of the kingdom promised to them that love God (Jm 2:5), heirs together of the grace of life (1Pt 3:7). He is not ashamed to call them brethren (Heb 2:10,11) because in all things He was made like unto His brethren (Heb 2:17).
So go ahead and tell us of the rewards that our Lord will have with Him at His coming (Rev 22:12).
We are joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17), heirs according to promise (Gal 3:29) according to hope of eternal life (Titus 3:7), heirs of salvation (Heb 1:14), heirs of the kingdom promised to them that love God (Jm 2:5), heirs together of the grace of life (1Pt 3:7). He is not ashamed to call them brethren (Heb 2:10,11) because in all things He was made like unto His brethren (Heb 2:17).
So go ahead and tell us of the rewards that our Lord will have with Him at His coming (Rev 22:12).
D
/sigh at the discord among Christians.....
Over such a simple thing.
Luke 10:20 "However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Why is it that there is always such disharmony? Why is it always either or...the bible is a book of BOTHS. BOTH the reward of eternal secure salvation with our Lord Jesus Christ AND rewards for service done in this life.
If God is not a God of confusion and the scriptures are discerned by those with the Spirit why is there so much confusion here amongst you?
Over such a simple thing.
Luke 10:20 "However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Why is it that there is always such disharmony? Why is it always either or...the bible is a book of BOTHS. BOTH the reward of eternal secure salvation with our Lord Jesus Christ AND rewards for service done in this life.
If God is not a God of confusion and the scriptures are discerned by those with the Spirit why is there so much confusion here amongst you?
and yet, djness, Paul tells us if we deny Him, He will deny us in 2 Timothy 2:12, and Jude tells us to save ourselves... doesn't do much for your OSAS...
i dont disagree with you there... that's when i said I'm open minded when it comes to crowns... but the crown mentioned in James and 2 Timothy refer to salvation
i dont disagree with you there... that's when i said I'm open minded when it comes to crowns... but the crown mentioned in James and 2 Timothy refer to salvation