How much are Christians to do to receive a Reward?

[Vine Abider]

All Christians must appear before the Judgement Seat (Greek: Bema) of Christ as per 2nd Corinthians 5:10.  We are told this is accountability for what we have done in this body, or in other words, our works.  But what is the measurement, that is, how much do we need to do to be pass this examination and be rewarded?  Is it bringing 100 souls to the Lord?  Feeding the poor 1,000 times?  Loving each other 67.5% of the time? 

Or perhaps it's the high-bar measurement of what the Lord spoke in Matthew 5 - aka "the beatitudes."  If the bar doesn't seem high enough in that chapter, at the end of that discourse Jesus says, "Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect."

What is the measurement the Lord will use? 

[OneLight]

Each work will be tested, individually.  There is nothing in scripture that I have read stating otherwise.

1 Corinthians 3:9-15

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

[Not me]

14 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

All Christians must appear before the Judgement Seat (Greek: Bema) of Christ as per 2nd Corinthians 5:10.  We are told this is accountability for what we have done in this body, or in other words, our works.  But what is the measurement, that is, how much do we need to do to be pass this examination and be rewarded?  Is it bringing 100 souls to the Lord?  Feeding the poor 1,000 times?  Loving each other 67.5% of the time? 

Or perhaps it's the high-bar measurement of what the Lord spoke in Matthew 5 - aka "the beatitudes."  If the bar doesn't seem high enough in that chapter, at the end of that discourse Jesus says, "Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect."

What is the measurement the Lord will use? 

Hello, and blessings, I hold true that one will receive reward(s) according to the amount of Christ that has been formed in one… May He grow Himself in us the more….

A fellow follower, Not me 

[Selah7]

52 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

All Christians must appear before the Judgement Seat (Greek: Bema) of Christ as per 2nd Corinthians 5:10.  We are told this is accountability for what we have done in this body, or in other words, our works.  But what is the measurement, that is, how much do we need to do to be pass this examination and be rewarded?  Is it bringing 100 souls to the Lord?  Feeding the poor 1,000 times?  Loving each other 67.5% of the time? 

Or perhaps it's the high-bar measurement of what the Lord spoke in Matthew 5 - aka "the beatitudes."  If the bar doesn't seem high enough in that chapter, at the end of that discourse Jesus says, "Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect."

What is the measurement the Lord will use? 

Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'

- Matthew 22:37

Selah

[missmuffet]

1 hour ago, Vine Abider said:

All Christians must appear before the Judgement Seat (Greek: Bema) of Christ as per 2nd Corinthians 5:10.  We are told this is accountability for what we have done in this body, or in other words, our works.  But what is the measurement, that is, how much do we need to do to be pass this examination and be rewarded?  Is it bringing 100 souls to the Lord?  Feeding the poor 1,000 times?  Loving each other 67.5% of the time? 

Or perhaps it's the high-bar measurement of what the Lord spoke in Matthew 5 - aka "the beatitudes."  If the bar doesn't seem high enough in that chapter, at the end of that discourse Jesus says, "Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect."

What is the measurement the Lord will use? 

Did you do everything for the Glory for God? Did you have a true relationship with God or were you in control of your life? Did God geniunely know you by what you let Him have control of? Our sins are forgiven so that is not an issue in our judgment. All those born again Christians will be in heaven because of OSAS but will you have any rewards for what you did for Christ while on this earth? There will be a lot of rewards for those who God will give to those who have deserved them. 

 

[Sower]

1 hour ago, Vine Abider said:

All Christians must appear before the Judgement Seat (Greek: Bema) of Christ as per 2nd Corinthians 5:10.  We are told this is accountability for what we have done in this body, or in other words, our works.  But what is the measurement, that is, how much do we need to do to be pass this examination and be rewarded?  Is it bringing 100 souls to the Lord?  Feeding the poor 1,000 times?  Loving each other 67.5% of the time? 

Or perhaps it's the high-bar measurement of what the Lord spoke in Matthew 5 - aka "the beatitudes."  If the bar doesn't seem high enough in that chapter, at the end of that discourse Jesus says, "Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect."

What is the measurement the Lord will use? 

 

It is not the outward but the inward that will be judged. Our motive, to be seen?, or to abide in Christ and bear His fruit.
Is my heart desiring to please God, or for others to see 'my works'?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 

John 15;
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine;
no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (The mind of Christ, not I but Christ!)

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without me ye can do nothing.  (We have to get that understood)

"If you love me, keep my commandments"     The tiniest obedience is the will of God!

Ck me out Lord! vs Be merciful to me a sinner.  Broken and contrite heart. (Not prideful)

The 'good' work I do is due to staying/walking in the spirit, abiding in Christ, recognizing I only bear HIS fruit.Not produce it.
My reward will be for my (submitting to) abiding, maintaining the mind of Christ, not what work everybody sees me do.

As far as 'how much' - 'measurement', I believe it is determined by our life circumstances.
Rich/poor - healthy/infirm - ignorant/aware - young/old - much light/little light etc. Could I have allowed Christ to work through me more, or was I too busy typing a response on a forum to impress.....

To whom much is given, much is required!  Did we become good stewards of all the tools/blessings God has blessed us with and passed them on to those in need, or did we consume them upon ourselves only?

Did we give those blessings to those in need, or bury/hoard them?

Was I ashamed/too timid to plant a seed, or did I allow the spirit to use my tongue?

 

 

 

[Dennis1209]

1 hour ago, Vine Abider said:

All Christians must appear before the Judgement Seat (Greek: Bema) of Christ as per 2nd Corinthians 5:10.  We are told this is accountability for what we have done in this body, or in other words, our works.  But what is the measurement, that is, how much do we need to do to be pass this examination and be rewarded?  Is it bringing 100 souls to the Lord?  Feeding the poor 1,000 times?  Loving each other 67.5% of the time? 

Or perhaps it's the high-bar measurement of what the Lord spoke in Matthew 5 - aka "the beatitudes."  If the bar doesn't seem high enough in that chapter, at the end of that discourse Jesus says, "Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect."

What is the measurement the Lord will use? 

That’s a good question. Since you presented this question, seeing your knowledgeable and articulate responses in other threads. I assume you have an answer.

I asked a similar question a while back that I did not have an answer to. “How much faith is saving faith?” Is it the size of a mustard seed, everything you have in you, somewhere in between?

To answer your question, I suspect the Bema Seat is much more than receiving crowns or treasure. I believe it will include an explanation of the shame and embarrassment of presented opportunities to share Jesus with the lost, and we selfishly were too scared or didn’t care to do so.

As with the parables, we will suffer loss in crowns and rewards. A reward for how close to the Throne of Jesus we will be. Responsibilities and assignments are rewarded for the fruits of our labors in the name of the Kingdom of Jesus. I suspect the fire burning the wood, hay, and stubble is a metaphor for these losses. Some of these fruits for Christ we claim to have done were for self-gratification, personal glory, and the wrong reasons. Not from an agape-loving heart.

The word itself, accountability, carries a negative connotation of discipline, would you agree? I do not picture the Bema Seat as all joy and happiness for many, and I base my reasoning on who and when the Bible declares our tears will be wiped away in the book of Revelation.

When we stand before the Bema Seat of Christ, we know we will not stand before the Great White Throne judgment, as we are not condemned. No doubt I will be looking around to see who is there, who is missing, looking. I suspect those you planted the seed of Jesus in and got saved will be standing next to or close to you. I will give an account of why there are not more because the Lord directed opportunities for me to witness; why didn’t I?

 To earn a reward, there are standards, achievements, and criteria to get an award. What is the standard reward for the second and third-place loser trailing the winner of the race?

With the apostle Paul’s checkered past, we are told he won the race, and passed the test. Look at the Biblical Hall of fame characters in the book of Hebrews and their sins and actions. They passed the test.  

I am looking forward to your thoughts.

[missmuffet]

10 minutes ago, Dennis1209 said:

That’s a good question. Since you presented this question, seeing your knowledgeable and articulate responses in other threads. I assume you have an answer.

I asked a similar question a while back that I did not have an answer to. “How much faith is saving faith?” Is it the size of a mustard seed, everything you have in you, somewhere in between?

To answer your question, I suspect the Bema Seat is much more than receiving crowns or treasure. I believe it will include an explanation of the shame and embarrassment of presented opportunities to share Jesus with the lost, and we selfishly were too scared or didn’t care to do so.

As with the parables, we will suffer loss in crowns and rewards. A reward for how close to the Throne of Jesus we will be. Responsibilities and assignments are rewarded for the fruits of our labors in the name of the Kingdom of Jesus. I suspect the fire burning the wood, hay, and stubble is a metaphor for these losses. Some of these fruits for Christ we claim to have done were for self-gratification, personal glory, and the wrong reasons. Not from an agape-loving heart.

The word itself, accountability, carries a negative connotation of discipline, would you agree? I do not picture the Bema Seat as all joy and happiness for many, and I base my reasoning on who and when the Bible declares our tears will be wiped away in the book of Revelation.

When we stand before the Bema Seat of Christ, we know we will not stand before the Great White Throne judgment, as we are not condemned. No doubt I will be looking around to see who is there, who is missing, looking. I suspect those you planted the seed of Jesus in and got saved will be standing next to or close to you. I will give an account of why there are not more because the Lord directed opportunities for me to witness; why didn’t I?

 To earn a reward, there are standards, achievements, and criteria to get an award. What is the standard reward for the second and third-place loser trailing the winner of the race?

With the apostle Paul’s checkered past, we are told he won the race, and passed the test. Look at the Biblical Hall of fame characters in the book of Hebrews and their sins and actions. They passed the test.  

I am looking forward to your thoughts.

What are some of the signs of genuine saving faith?

https://www.gotquestions.org

ANSWER

This is one of the most important questions in the Christian life. Many believers doubt their salvation because they don’t see signs of genuine faith in their lives. There are those who say we should never doubt our decision to follow Christ, but the Bible encourages us to examine ourselves to see if we are truly “in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Thankfully, God has given us ample instruction for how we can know for sure that we have eternal life. The first epistle of John was actually written for that purpose, as it states in 1 John 5:13, "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

There is a series of tests in 1 John that we can use to examine ourselves and our faith. As we look at them, remember that no one will perfectly fulfill all of them all the time, but they should reveal a consistent trend that characterizes our lives as we grow in grace.

1. Do you enjoy having fellowship with Christ and His redeemed people? (1 John 1:3)
2. Would people say you walk in the light, or walk in the darkness? (1 John 1:6-7)
3. Do you admit and confess your sin? (1 John 1:8)
4. Are you obedient to God’s Word? (1 John 2:3-5)
5. Does your life indicate you love God rather than the world? (1 John 2:15)
6. Is your life characterized by "doing what is right"? (1 John 2:29)
7. Do you seek to maintain a pure life? (1 John 3:3)
8. Do you see a decreasing pattern of sin in your life? (1 John 3:5-6) [Note: this refers to not continuing in sin as a way of life, not a total absence of sin.]
9. Do you demonstrate love for other Christians? (1 John 3:14)
10. Do you "walk the walk," versus just "talking the talk"? (1 John 3:18-19)
11. Do you maintain a clear conscience? (1 John 3:21)
12. Do you experience victory in your Christian walk? (1 John 5:4)

If you are able to truthfully answer "Yes" to these questions (or a majority of them, and are working on the others), then your life is bearing the fruit of true salvation. Jesus said that it is by our fruits that we are known as His disciples (Matthew 7:20). Fruitless branches—professing believers who do not display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are cut off and thrown into the fire (John 15:6). A genuine faith is one that not only believes in God (the demons themselves do that - James 2:19), but leads to open confession of sin and obedience to Christ’s commands. Remember, we are saved by grace through faith, not by our works (Ephesians 2:8-9), but our works should display the reality of our salvation (James 2:17-18). Genuine saving faith will always produce works; a faith that is perpetually without works is no faith at all and saves no one.

In addition to these confirmations, we need to remember God’s promises and the reality of the war we are in. Satan is just as real as Jesus Christ, and he is a formidable enemy of our souls. When we turn to Christ, Satan will look for every opportunity to deceive and defeat us. He will try to convince us that we are unworthy failures or that God has given up on us. When we are in Christ, we have the assurance that we are kept by Him. Jesus Himself prayed for us in John 17:11 that the Father would "protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one." Again in verse 15, He prayed, "keep them from the evil one."

In John 10:27-29, Jesus said, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand." If you hear and obey the voice of Jesus, then you are one of His sheep, and He will never let you go. Jesus gave a wonderful word picture here of Christians securely held within His loving hands and the Father’s almighty hands wrapping themselves around His, giving us a double assurance of eternal security.

Edited November 14, 2022 by missmuffet

[grahampaul]

18 minutes ago, Sower said:

 

It is not the outward but the inward that will be judged. Our motive, to be seen?, or to abide in Christ and bear His fruit.
Is my heart desiring to please God, or for others to see 'my works'?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 

John 15;
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine;
no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (The mind of Christ, not I but Christ!)

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:
for without me ye can do nothing.  (We have to get that understood)

"If you love me, keep my commandments"     The tiniest obedience is the will of God!

Ck me out Lord! vs Be merciful to me a sinner.  Broken and contrite heart. (Not prideful)

The 'good' work I do is due to staying/walking in the spirit, abiding in Christ, recognizing I only bear HIS fruit.Not produce it.
My reward will be for my (submitting to) abiding, maintaining the mind of Christ, not what work everybody sees me do.

As far as 'how much' - 'measurement', I believe it is determined by our life circumstances.
Rich/poor - healthy/infirm - ignorant/aware - young/old - much light/little light etc. Could I have allowed Christ to work through me more, or was I too busy typing a response on a forum to impress.....

To whom much is given, much is required!  Did we become good stewards of all the tools/blessings God has blessed us with and passed them on to those in need, or did we consume them upon ourselves only?

Did we give those blessings to those in need, or bury/hoard them?

Was I ashamed/too timid to plant a seed, or did I allow the spirit to use my tongue?

 

 

 

very well said, i like "  I only bear HIS fruit.Not produce it." 

[Vine Abider]

33 minutes ago, Dennis1209 said:

That’s a good question. Since you presented this question, seeing your knowledgeable and articulate responses in other threads. I assume you have an answer.

Thanks much for the compliment . . . and you are right and insightful, I do have an answer . . .

But before I get to that, I want to say that I am fairly blown away by the caliber of Christians here and their postings on this thread and on other threads! Of course, I haven't been on here long, but at least what I've seen so far has been very civil.  Thanks to everyone for letting Christ live through them in their responses!

All the responses here were thoughtful and part of me wants to mention and respond to each one . . . but forgive me if I just go to answering what Dennis1209 correctly assumed.

A few years ago I was having dinner with a handful of brothers.  One brother conveyed something the Lord showed him, and it was actually the second time he had shared this with us.  (many time we have to hear something more than once for it to sink in, and that was certainly the case here)  He told us about how he had been reading in Matthew 25 and considering the faithful and unfaithful servants. He said the Lord showed him that the whole matter was about being "faithful in a few things." (Matt 25:23)  He said that all these many years he had skipped right over the word FEW, and it was almost like had been inserting the word "many" in place of "few."  But the Lord showed him clearly that, "Mike (that's his name), I only want you to be faithful in a FEW things."

Here's the verse: "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'”  (Matt 25:21 & repeated in 23)

So I was just like Mike, that is, reading this all these years I sort of inserted the thought of "many" in there too!  But when he shared this with us a second time, the Spirit came in and started showing me all of these verses related to being faithful in a few things.  (BTW - I've only had a handful of times where verses have just streamed through me like this.)  What I began seeing clearly is the Lord isn't putting a heavy burden or a heavy yoke on us at all!  That is, the faith in us just needs to be small - even like a mustard seed!  Verse after verse just kept flowing though my mind related to this matter.  I knew the Lord was conveying something so very liberating here.

These impressions in spirit just kept flowing over the next week, and I knew the Lord had shown us brothers a great truth - BE FAITHFUL IN A FEW THINGS!!  I also was compelled by the Spirit to put ink to paper, to capture all these wonderful thoughts for myself and others.  When I was done, there were six pages full of verses and ideas supporting this notion throughout the bible.

So saints, there it is - we don't need to labor under a hard yoke.  If we are just faithful in at least the few things He's individually given us, then we will hear, "Well done good and faithful servant - enter into the joy of your Lord!"

I know this is something a lot of believers, who know about the Bema Seat, are concerned about.  Hopefully this will help some others at least as much as it did me!   Thank you for reading and showing interest.