The Glory of earning it.

[Guest]

What I think.

God chooses us apart from anything we do in life, to eternal life. Those He has chosen reciprocate and choose to follow Him. In this transaction, lies our salvation, our sonship, and all who have this right to be called sons (or children to be politically correct)of God, will enter into Heaven justified. That means that we have right standing before God, our place in Heaven was earned by Jesus for us.

Between that point where we have become aware of our new life, our born again status, we are being conformed to the image of God's Son, Jesus, the perfect man. This stage is called sanctification, and means that we have been set apart for God's purposes. It is a stage of growth, were we in increasing measure, produce the ninefold fruit of the Spirit, and in our actions, do the works that God has planned for us to do.

Because we still have our old sin nature, we have an ongoing battle with our own flesh, but the Spirit is in us, encouraging, convicting, and enabling us to do better. Some succeed more than others, while other cling to the temptation of the flesh, and rebel.

All believers get certain benefits in the after life, as coheirs with Christ, none of that is earned by us. To those who overcome the world and the flesh to a greater degree, those who live more holy and selfless lives, lives of sacrifical giving and love of others, I believe will have additional rewards.

I would hesitate however, to say that we earned them, since even in that prosess of sanctification, the desire to do good, the knowledge of what to do, the power to resist temptation etc, all come from God. So personally, I don't think there is any glory in earning it, only glory to God for His merciful and loving gifts.

[enoob57]

What I think.

All believers get certain benefits in the after life, as coheirs with Christ, none of that is earned by us.

What do you do with the Judgment Seat of Christ unto believers and Paul's expectation of running the race for

reward?

[Don Dobbin]

So I don't understand this fully, but do you mean christians are needing to earn certain aspects or things from god? how? and in what way?  Maybe Im not understanding the post properly.

 

ps, you're in canada? nice! canucks unite!!

In John 15 Jesus refers to himself as a vine and we are the branches which produce fruit. Unfortunately christians do not like to leave the church, therefor do not produce fruit. It is about giving yourself to your community be it physically or monetarily. Galatians 6:2, says "bear one another's burdens", but Jesus always sent his deciples out in two's and proper guidance is neccesary for de4aling with poverty, churches do not deal with local poverty well.

A fellow Canuck

don dobbin

saints streets missions

Edited December 23, 2013 by OneLight
Please ... no personal information

[OneLight]

So I don't understand this fully, but do you mean christians are needing to earn certain aspects or things from god? how? and in what way?  Maybe Im not understanding the post properly.

 

ps, you're in canada? nice! canucks unite!!

In John 15 Jesus refers to himself as a vine and we are the branches which produce fruit. Unfortunately christians do not like to leave the church, therefor do not produce fruit. It is about giving yourself to your community be it physically or monetarily. Galatians 6:2, says "bear one another's burdens", but Jesus always sent his deciples out in two's and proper guidance is neccesary for de4aling with poverty, churches do not deal with local poverty well.

A fellow Canuck

don dobbin

saints streets missions

I see Jesus speaking to each individual to love their neighbor as themselves. To help our neighbor is our personal responsibility. The responsibility does not rest only on the church, where the church is the organized body that maintains the structure that one gathers to worship. By people passing on the responsibility to the "church", which is not based in scripture, we limit the amount of people who are reached and try to hide behind the idea that "I supported this or that project, I did my part." justification, which will not fly when Jesus asks what you have done for the least of these.

[Guest]

What I think.

All believers get certain benefits in the after life, as coheirs with Christ, none of that is earned by us.

What do you do with the Judgment Seat of Christ unto believers and Paul's expectation of running the race for

reward?

Actually, I do not think Christians properly 'run the race' for the rewards, nor do we do so for salavion. Salvation is a totally done deal, believers were redeemed at the cross, or in another sense, chosen in Him before the foundation of the world. I beleive our works are judged at the Bema, and the bad ones are burned up, the good ones survive. I think that it is possible for us to work, motivated by rewards, but our real reward is salvation and eternity with God, and our real motivation is the overwhelming gratitude and love we have for our saviour, both as our creator and redeemer.

I do beleive we will suffer some sort of loss for our bad works, but I have no idea of the nature of the rewards or the losses.

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

This article looks pretty informative: https://bible.org/article/doctrine-rewards-judgment-seat-bema-christ

[enoob57]

What I think.

All believers get certain benefits in the after life, as coheirs with Christ, none of that is earned by us.

What do you do with the Judgment Seat of Christ unto believers and Paul's expectation of running the race for

reward?

Actually, I do not think Christians properly 'run the race' for the rewards, nor do we do so for salavion. Salvation is a totally done deal, believers were redeemed at the cross, or in another sense, chosen in Him before the foundation of the world. I beleive our works are judged at the Bema, and the bad ones are burned up, the good ones survive. I think that it is possible for us to work, motivated by rewards, but our real reward is salvation and eternity with God, and our real motivation is the overwhelming gratitude and love we have for our saviour, both as our creator and redeemer.

I do beleive we will suffer some sort of loss for our bad works, but I have no idea of the nature of the rewards or the losses.

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

This article looks pretty informative: https://bible.org/article/doctrine-rewards-judgment-seat-bema-christ

Thank you for the article! I agree with you but with addition:

I see reward as purpose for why we remain here after New Birth. As this gives us motive in

all that we do, yet not to receive for self but to engage in that which will enable us to have

objective substance spiritually to add to Him Who 'IS' worthy to receive all... leaving a perfect

living possible by consumption of this purpose of 100% focus YET we do not because of sin in us Rom 7.

The Judgment seat is to receive in us the things done in this regard so that we in perfection will

give back to Him the result of that which we are - signed sealed and delivered as His Bride from God

The Father... Love, Steven

[Guest]

Thanks for the input on that

[angels4u]

 

 

I thank the Lord that I'm saved by grace!!

 

There is absolutely nothing I can do to save myself,but because I'm so thankful that Jesus saved me !

 

2 Cor  5:10:

For all of us must appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.

 

Each one will receive His own reward ACCORDING TO HIS OWN LABOR.” (1 Corinthians 3:8)

 

 

1. THE INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN:     (I Corinthians 9:25).  25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

2. THE CROWN OF REJOICING:     (I Thessalonians. 2:19).  19 For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His [a]coming?

3. THE CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS:     (II Timothy 4:8).  This crown will be given for those who love His appearing and who live their lives anticipating Christ's soon return.

4. THE CROWN OF GLORY:     (I Peter 5:4).  4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading [a]crown of glory.

5. THE CROWN OF LIFE:     (Revelation 2:10).  10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days.[a]Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

         

 

[BrianCade]

Problem is, there is no way for you to earn it.

[missmuffet]

Problem is, there is no way for you to earn it.

1) The Imperishable Crown – (1 Corinthians 9:24-25) “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate [disciplined] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (NKJV). All things on this earth are subject to decay and will perish. Jesus urges us to not store our treasures on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19). This is analogous to what Paul was saying about that wreath of leaves that was soon to turn brittle and fall apart. But not so the heavenly crown; faithful endurance wins a heavenly reward which is “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

2) The Crown of Rejoicing – (1 Thessalonians 2:19) “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 to “rejoice always in the Lord” for all the bountiful blessings our gracious God has showered upon us. As Christians we have more in this life to rejoice about than anyone else. Luke tells us there is rejoicing even now in heaven (Luke 15:7). The crown of rejoicing will be our reward where “God will wipe away every tear . . . there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

3) The Crown of Righteousness – (2 Timothy 4:8) “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” We inherit this crown through the righteousness of Christ which is what gives us a right to it, and without which it cannot be obtained. Because it is obtained and possessed in a righteous way, and not by force and deceit as earthly crowns sometimes are, it is an everlasting crown, promised to all who love the Lord and eagerly wait for His return. Through our enduring the discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity (Philippians 3:20). This crown is not for those who depend upon their own sense of righteousness or of their own works. Such an attitude breeds only arrogance and pride, not a longing, a fervent desire to be with the Lord.

4) The Crown of Glory – (1 Peter 5:4) “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” Though Peter is addressing the elders, we must also remember that the crown will be awarded to all those who long for or love His appearing. This word “glory” is an interesting word referring to the very nature of God and His actions. It entails His great splendor and brightness. Recall Stephen who, while being stoned to death, was able to look into the heavens and see the glory of God (Acts 7:55-56). This word also means that the praise and honor we bestow to God alone is due Him because of who He is (Isaiah 42:8, 48:11; Galatians 1:5). It also recognizes that believers are incredibly blessed to enter into the kingdom, into the very likeness of Christ Himself. For as Paul so eloquently put it, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 NKJV).

5) The Crown of Life – (Revelation 2:10) “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” This crown is for all believers, but is especially dear to those who endure sufferings, who bravely confront persecution for Jesus, even to the point of death. In Scripture the word “life” is often used to show a relationship that is right with God. It was Jesus who said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Just as things such as air, food, and water are vital for our physical lives, Jesus provides us what is required for our spiritual lives. He is the One who provides “living water.” He is the “bread of life” (John 4:10, 6:35). We know that our earthly lives will end. But we have the amazing promise that comes only to those who come to God through Jesus: “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life” (1 John 2:25).