Rewards

[Openly Curious]

[size=7

How does one lose their rewards?

How does one get their rewards?

What are the rewards that we are given?

Please give Bible to back up your answers if possible I am a Bible based person so if you mean to persuade you have to be Bible based.

Openly Curious

[Bolts]

Hi Openly Curious,

here are some scriptures that I hope will help answer your question:

Psalm 19:9-11 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous, they are more precious than gold than much pure gold, they are sweeter than honey than honey from the comb, by them is your servant warned, in keeping them there is great reward.

Proverbs 19:17He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord he will reward him for what he has done. 25:21 &22 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, if he is thirsty give him water to drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head and the Lord will reward you.

31:31 a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised, give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Jer 17:10 I the Lord searches the heart and examines the mind to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.

Mt 5:11- 12 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 6:5 rewarding prayer

16:27 For the Son of man is going to come in his Fathers glory with angels and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

1Cor 3:11-14 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 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 mans work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burnt up, he will suffer loss, he himself will be saved but only as one escaping thru the flames.

Rev 22:12 I am coming soon my reward is with me and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

In a nutshell we decide our reward. We receive heavens blessings and earths joys. There are rewards for keeping Gods ordinances, which is reaping blessings, joy, righteousness, consistancy, faithfulness, diligence etc

There are rewards in prayer - when prayer in answered.

[angels4u]

Hello Openly Curious

Jesus gives us many rewards for following Him and the biggest is when we shall see !!

EXO 20:6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me

and keep my commandments.

12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the

land the LORD your God is giving you.

LEV 25:18 "'Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will

live safely in the land.

19 Then the land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill and live

there in safety.

26:3 "'If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands,

4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops

and the trees of the field their fruit.

5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest

will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and

live in safety in your land.

6 "'I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will

make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword

will not pass through your country.

7 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before

you.

8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten

thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you.

9 "'I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your

numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you.

10 You will still be eating last year's harvest when you will have to move

it out to make room for the new.

11 I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you.

12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.

13 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would

no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and

enabled you to walk with heads held high.

40 "'But if they will confess their sins and the sins of their fathers--

their treachery against me and their hostility toward me,

41 which made me hostile toward them so that I sent them into the land of

their enemies--then when their uncircumcised hearts are humbled and they

pay for their sin,

42 I will remember my covenant with Jacob and my covenant with Isaac and

my covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.

43 For the land will be deserted by them and will enjoy its sabbaths while

it lies desolate without them. They will pay for their sins because they

rejected my laws and abhorred my decrees.

44 Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I

will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely,

breaking my covenant with them. I am the LORD their God.

45 But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors

whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I

am the LORD.'"

DEU 4:40 Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so

that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may

live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.

6:3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you

and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey,

just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.

11:13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today--to

love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all

your soul--

14 then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and

spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil.

15 I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat

and be satisfied.

16 Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods

and bow down to them.

18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols

on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home

and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

20 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates,

21 so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land

that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the

heavens are above the earth.

26 See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse--

27 the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am

giving you today;

28 the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn

from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you

have not known.

29 When the LORD your God has brought you into the land you are entering

to possess, you are to proclaim on Mount Gerizim the blessings, and on

Mount Ebal the curses.

15:9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the

year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward

your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD

against you, and you will be found guilty of sin.

10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because

of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything

you put your hand to.

11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you

to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your

land.

22:7 You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it

may go well with you and you may have a long life.

24:19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do

not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the

widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your

hands.

25:15 You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you

may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.

ISA 1:16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my

sight! Stop doing wrong,

17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the

cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins

are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as

crimson, they shall be like wool.

19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;

20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For

the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

3:10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the

fruit of their deeds.

40:10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him.

See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.

11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

JER 22:3 This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue

from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or

violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed

innocent blood in this place.

4 For if you are careful to carry out these commands, then kings who sit

on David's throne will come through the gates of this palace, riding in

chariots and on horses, accompanied by their officials and their people.

MAT 10:32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him

before my Father in heaven.

16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he

must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his

life for me will find it.

26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet

forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his

angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

20:1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in

the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard.

2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his

vineyard.

3 "About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the

marketplace doing nothing.

4 He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you

whatever is right.'

5 So they went. "He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour

and did the same thing.

6 About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing

around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing

nothing?'

7 "'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, 'You

also go and work in my vineyard.'

8 "When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call

the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired

and going on to the first.'

9 "The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each

received a denarius.

10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more.

But each one of them also received a denarius.

11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.

12 'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and

you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and

the heat of the day.'

13 "But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you.

Didn't you agree to work for a denarius?

14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the

same as I gave you.

15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you

envious because I am generous?'

16 "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

25:34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are

blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you

since the creation of the world.

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and

you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after

me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry

and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?

38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes

and clothe you?

39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one

of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are

cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you

gave me nothing to drink,

43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you

did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or

a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one

of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to

eternal life."

MAR 10:21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he

said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have

treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

13:13 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the

end will be saved.

LUK 6:22 Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and

insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

23 "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in

heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.

35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without

expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you

will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and

wicked.

ACT 26:18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and

from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of

sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

ROM 2:10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for

the Jew, then for the Gentile.

1CO 3:8 The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and

each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

HEB 10:34 You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the

confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had

better and lasting possessions.

36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you

will receive what he has promised.

11:26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than

the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of

witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so

easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for

us.

2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who

for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat

down at the right hand of the throne of God.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let

us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

1PE 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with

blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a

blessing.

10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue

from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are

attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do

evil."

2PE 1:10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your

calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,

11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our

Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

REV 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the

devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer

persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I

will give you the crown of life.

17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also

give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who

receives it.

25 Only hold on to what you have until I come.

26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority

over the nations--

27 'He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces

like pottery'-- just as I have received authority from my Father.

28 I will also give him the morning star.

7:14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have

come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made

them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and

night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent

over them.

16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun

will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.

17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he

will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every

tear from their eyes."

22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to

everyone according to what he has done.

[angels4u]

You know that there are also Crows for rewards?

1: The Crown of Life (Jam. 1:12; Rev. 2:10). This crown is given for enduring testings (trials) and temptation. The crown is not eternal life which is a gift through faith alone in Christ alone (Jn. 4:10; Rom. 3:24; 5:15-17; 6:23; Eph. 2:8), but a reward for enduring trials and overcoming temptation.

2: The Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8). This crown is a reward given for faithfulness to use our gifts and opportunities in the service of the Lord and for loving His appearing. Note that these two things go together. To love His appearing is to live in the light of it.

3: The Crown of Glory (1 Pet. 5:4). This crown is a reward promised to Elders for faithfulness in the discharge of their responsibilities in shepherding the people.

The Casting of Crowns (Rev. 4:10, 11). Because Christ alone is worthy and because we can only be fruitful when we abide in Him allowing His life to fills ours, we will all cast our crowns before Him in recognition that all we have done is by His grace.

The Many Crowns or Diadems (Rev. 19:12). The crowns of royalty which stand for Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lord who alone has the right to rule and judge the world.

Angels

[Openly Curious]

[size=7

How does one lose their rewards?

How does one get their rewards?

What are the rewards that we are given?

Please give Bible to back up your answers if possible I am a Bible based person so if you mean to persuade you have to be Bible based.

Openly Curious

Read 1 Cor 3:10-15, you will note that a reward is refered to in v 14, this is the judgment seat of Christ, at which all christians will appear, and will be judged in respect of what they have done or not done in this life since their conversion, it is a judgment of works, and nothing else. Some will be found to have done nothing, although they may think that they have, and because they have done nothing, there is no reward for them, just assurance that they are indeed saved.

For others whose works endure, there is a reward, this will in all probability be delegation of responsibility in the next life i.e. some will be given authority over ten Cities, others over two Cities, and so on. Cities may indeed be real Cities, or might represent some other delegation of responsibility.

Hi,

That is a good passage of scripture that you used (here it comes) -but, when I read that passage within the whole text of the chapter I didn't get the same conclusion as you arrived at. I do thank you however for your kind response.

This is what I got out of 1 Corinthians chapter 3

verses 1-3 The apostle Paul is addressing the believers at the church in Corinth.

I do see and recognize that he is speaking to the church (believers) and I am aware that out of all the churches mentioned in the word that the Corinthian church was one that had many different problems among them and also had the most spiritual gifts among them as well.

Throughout both books of Corinthians the Apostle Paul is giving them God's advice (counsel) so that they could get things right among them.

The apostle Paul here in verses 1-3 is telling them that he can't even speak to them spiritual things but instead has to speak to them as carnal (worldly minded) in other words.

Paul had to speak to them as babes in Christ instead of mature Christians.

Paul wanted to minister to them spiritual things (meat) but he couldn't at this time.

Instead he has to give them the milk of the word because they were not able to grasp the things Paul wanted to talk to them about as they should have been stronger in the Lord at this point but are not able to bear it.

As Paul tell them the very reason they can't bear the spiritual things.

It was because they were still walking according to the old sinful man the carnal man that walks and thinks after the ways of the world and not according to the laws and commands of God they were not heavenly minded.

Simply meaning they were carrying on like sinners do in the world and were doing this while being a part of this church.(Romans 1-17, Galatians 5)

These believers were walking according to the carnal man and were not walking in the spirit as their works were manifest in their lifestyle as Paul see's this and is addressing it while in their midst.

Paul is making it plain to them that walking according to the sinful man was the very reason why they had envying, strife, and divisions among them (the works of the flesh).

Those things were all deeds of the old man and not the new man in Christ.

If they would have been following the Spirit then there would have been unity and peace among them as the works (deeds) of God would have been manifest instead of the works (deeds) of the flesh.

Verses 4-8 the apostle Paul is addressing the particular divisions (different opinions) that were among them which some of the believers were saying and believing they should follow the things Appollos was teaching and some thought that they should only follow Paul.

So Paul here sets them straight on the matter as he tells them that both he and Appollos were on equal ground one was not above the other they were both minister's of God according to their own giftings given to them by the grace of God (as we are all co-labourers with God).

After this Paul brings the law of sowing and reaping up (Galatians 6) as he is trying here to restore these brethren and bring unity and order to their fellowship as Paul tells them that he has sown the word of God in their hearts and basically left Appollos their to water that word in their hearts so that they would grow and mature in their faith and then bring forth fruit (works, deeds) of the Spirit as God would give the increase.

Paul then reinterates that the one who plants the word and the one who waters that word are both one (co-labourers with God). (Romans 2:6-16 this chapter lays out God's principles of judgment)

So, thus our labour which we will be given a reward for is in fact eternal life that it is referring to in 1 Corinthians 3:8 (Galatians 6:6-10) and I do not believe this labor here is dealing with the things we have done for God or not done but it is dealing with walking in the Spirit according to the new creature the new birth "verses" walking according to the old sinful man prior to conversion.

But the reward here for not being a carnal christian will be eternal life and it will be the opposite for those who refuse to walk in the Spirit they will reap hell's flames eternal damnation.

Verses 9-20 Paul tells them again that he and Appollos are working together in the kingdom of God as they were God's husbandry God's field the parable of the sower in 4:1-20 comes to mind here.

But it is God who is working in our hearts his blessed and divine will.

It was the blood of Jesus that purchased our bodies and made us a fit habitation for God's spirit and we are not our own but have been ransomed.

We belong to God now as he has made us partaker of His divine nature made us a new creature by the grace of God.

Paul tells them that he has laid the foundation (2 Timothy 2:19-26 all of chapter 2 tells about being a workmen that is pleasing to God) but someone else (which is all of us) builds on it.

Then he gives a warning to everyone that they should take heed on how they build on that foundation because whatsoever a man soweth that shall he reap.

Everyone of us will be tried by fire to see what sort of work (deeds) we have meaning everything in this world will pass away but it is the eternal things given to us by God that will last (His nature in us the hope of glory Christ in us) if we walk pleasing to him according to the new man.

The story of the three Hebrew children comes to mind here as their faith was literally tried by fire as they were thrown into the fiery furnace but did not burn because of the 4th man in the fire that look like the Son of God.

The works (deeds) of their faith were made known (manifest) to all as they had not even the smell of smoke on their garments their faith followed their works (they did not bow that was their deeds).

verses 21-23 Here Paul sums it up by telling them not to glory in any man (Galatian 6:12-18) because all things are theirs whether what Appollos was telling them or the things Cephas is ministering to them or the things he himself was telling them.

The things in the world in life in death the things that are present and all the things to come after it was all theirs (Romans 8:36-39).

And they belonged to Christ and Christ belongs to God and nothing can seperate us from the love of God.

(Romans 14:7-13) we shall all give account to God and stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Summing it all up I take it to mean that the deeds that one does while living in their earthly bodies whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5) these works are what we will be judged for and get rewards for doing according to the gospel.

Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only.

Which we are taught and commanded in the word to walk according to the new man created in Christ Jesus (Romans 6)

The work done in us through the blood that was shed set us free to no longer walk in bondage to our old sinful man as we were a slave to sin. But now we have been set free given liberty to walk in the spirit and do the deeds works of the Spirit the work of God.

Therefore we no longer have to say yes to the deeds and work of our flesh. I take this to be the liberty wherein Christ has made us free and so we will be rewarded for it or loose out on receiving rewards (eternal damnation).

Sorry so long

God Bless

Openly Curious

[Openly Curious]

[size=7

How does one lose their rewards?

How does one get their rewards?

What are the rewards that we are given?

Please give Bible to back up your answers if possible I am a Bible based person so if you mean to persuade you have to be Bible based.

Openly Curious

Read 1 Cor 3:10-15, you will note that a reward is refered to in v 14, this is the judgment seat of Christ, at which all christians will appear, and will be judged in respect of what they have done or not done in this life since their conversion, it is a judgment of works, and nothing else. Some will be found to have done nothing, although they may think that they have, and because they have done nothing, there is no reward for them, just assurance that they are indeed saved.

For others whose works endure, there is a reward, this will in all probability be delegation of responsibility in the next life i.e. some will be given authority over ten Cities, others over two Cities, and so on. Cities may indeed be real Cities, or might represent some other delegation of responsibility.

Hi,

That is a good passage of scripture that you used (here it comes) -but, when I read that passage within the whole text of the chapter I didn't get the same conclusion as you arrived at. I do thank you however for your kind response.

This is what I got out of 1 Corinthians chapter 3

verses 1-3 The apostle Paul is addressing the believers at the church in Corinth.

I do see and recognize that he is speaking to the church (believers) and I am aware that out of all the churches mentioned in the word that the Corinthian church was one that had many different problems among them and also had the most spiritual gifts among them as well.

Throughout both books of Corinthians the Apostle Paul is giving them God's advice (counsel) so that they could get things right among them.

The apostle Paul here in verses 1-3 is telling them that he can't even speak to them spiritual things but instead has to speak to them as carnal (worldly minded) in other words.

Paul had to speak to them as babes in Christ instead of mature Christians.

Paul wanted to minister to them spiritual things (meat) but he couldn't at this time.

Instead he has to give them the milk of the word because they were not able to grasp the things Paul wanted to talk to them about as they should have been stronger in the Lord at this point but are not able to bear it.

As Paul tell them the very reason they can't bear the spiritual things.

It was because they were still walking according to the old sinful man the carnal man that walks and thinks after the ways of the world and not according to the laws and commands of God they were not heavenly minded.

Simply meaning they were carrying on like sinners do in the world and were doing this while being a part of this church.(Romans 1-17, Galatians 5)

These believers were walking according to the carnal man and were not walking in the spirit as their works were manifest in their lifestyle as Paul see's this and is addressing it while in their midst.

Paul is making it plain to them that walking according to the sinful man was the very reason why they had envying, strife, and divisions among them (the works of the flesh).

Those things were all deeds of the old man and not the new man in Christ.

If they would have been following the Spirit then there would have been unity and peace among them as the works (deeds) of God would have been manifest instead of the works (deeds) of the flesh.

Verses 4-8 the apostle Paul is addressing the particular divisions (different opinions) that were among them which some of the believers were saying and believing they should follow the things Appollos was teaching and some thought that they should only follow Paul.

So Paul here sets them straight on the matter as he tells them that both he and Appollos were on equal ground one was not above the other they were both minister's of God according to their own giftings given to them by the grace of God (as we are all co-labourers with God).

After this Paul brings the law of sowing and reaping up (Galatians 6) as he is trying here to restore these brethren and bring unity and order to their fellowship as Paul tells them that he has sown the word of God in their hearts and basically left Appollos their to water that word in their hearts so that they would grow and mature in their faith and then bring forth fruit (works, deeds) of the Spirit as God would give the increase.

Paul then reinterates that the one who plants the word and the one who waters that word are both one (co-labourers with God). (Romans 2:6-16 this chapter lays out God's principles of judgment)

So, thus our labour which we will be given a reward for is in fact eternal life that it is referring to in 1 Corinthians 3:8 (Galatians 6:6-10) and I do not believe this labor here is dealing with the things we have done for God or not done but it is dealing with walking in the Spirit according to the new creature the new birth "verses" walking according to the old sinful man prior to conversion.

But the reward here for not being a carnal christian will be eternal life and it will be the opposite for those who refuse to walk in the Spirit they will reap hell's flames eternal damnation.

Verses 9-20 Paul tells them again that he and Appollos are working together in the kingdom of God as they were God's husbandry God's field the parable of the sower in 4:1-20 comes to mind here.

But it is God who is working in our hearts his blessed and divine will.

It was the blood of Jesus that purchased our bodies and made us a fit habitation for God's spirit and we are not our own but have been ransomed.

We belong to God now as he has made us partaker of His divine nature made us a new creature by the grace of God.

Paul tells them that he has laid the foundation (2 Timothy 2:19-26 all of chapter 2 tells about being a workmen that is pleasing to God) but someone else (which is all of us) builds on it.

Then he gives a warning to everyone that they should take heed on how they build on that foundation because whatsoever a man soweth that shall he reap.

Everyone of us will be tried by fire to see what sort of work (deeds) we have meaning everything in this world will pass away but it is the eternal things given to us by God that will last (His nature in us the hope of glory Christ in us) if we walk pleasing to him according to the new man.

The story of the three Hebrew children comes to mind here as their faith was literally tried by fire as they were thrown into the fiery furnace but did not burn because of the 4th man in the fire that look like the Son of God.

The works (deeds) of their faith were made known (manifest) to all as they had not even the smell of smoke on their garments their faith followed their works (they did not bow that was their deeds).

verses 21-23 Here Paul sums it up by telling them not to glory in any man (Galatian 6:12-18) because all things are theirs whether what Appollos was telling them or the things Cephas is ministering to them or the things he himself was telling them.

The things in the world in life in death the things that are present and all the things to come after it was all theirs (Romans 8:36-39).

And they belonged to Christ and Christ belongs to God and nothing can seperate us from the love of God.

(Romans 14:7-13) we shall all give account to God and stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Summing it all up I take it to mean that the deeds that one does while living in their earthly bodies whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5) these works are what we will be judged for and get rewards for doing according to the gospel.

Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only.

Which we are taught and commanded in the word to walk according to the new man created in Christ Jesus (Romans 6)

The work done in us through the blood that was shed set us free to no longer walk in bondage to our old sinful man as we were a slave to sin. But now we have been set free given liberty to walk in the spirit and do the deeds works of the Spirit the work of God.

Therefore we no longer have to say yes to the deeds and work of our flesh. I take this to be the liberty wherein Christ has made us free and so we will be rewarded for it or loose out on receiving rewards (eternal damnation).

Sorry so long

God Bless

Openly Curious

Thank you O C for your post.

In Reply, may I refer to the third paragraph, and your remarks in respect of Romans 2:6-16. You say "So, thus our labour which we will be given a reward for is in fact eternal life", this I am unable to accept, as John 6:47, reads "Truly, truly, I say to you, who ever believes has eternal life".

How can you be given what you have got?. Ephesiane 2:8, says "Not of works, lest any should boast". Eternal life is a gift, you are not able to work for it. John 10:28 reads "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish".

You go on to say "it will be the opposite for those who refuse to walk in the Spirit they will reap hell's flames eternal damnation", yet at 1st Cor 3:15, it reads "If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved".

Please explain just how these people can both reap hell's flames, and at the same time be saved from hell?.

The reference to Romans 2:6-16 was not in reference to the statement about our labour but in reference to what Paul was saying about what a man sows that shall he also reap whether its eternal life or eternal damnation.

The reference in Romans 2:6-16 is speaking about those who are not walking worthty they are despising the goodness and riches of God instead.

Also back in Romans 1:28 (which chapter 2 in Romans is continuing the things) but Paul was addressing those who would not retain God in their knowledge.

Those believers who would do this a warning is being given to them about becoming a reprobate in the faith as God would give them over to their own lust if they refused to retain God in their knowledge.

Their works and deeds are also mentioned in these passages what they were.

A believerer who would do this, will not have that blessed hope at His glorious appearing their soul will be lost.

No rewards taken nor given the result is their eternal soul will be lost.

Reprobate people will not receive instructions or any chastisment from the Heavenly Father.

The apostle Paul speaks about having a seared conscious in Timothy.

This type of believer started out on the right road then left it and no longer wanted the will of God in their lives they rejected it after they recieved it.

So the gift of eternal life was lost as they tossed it to the side not wanting it instead they wanted to live after their flesh (worldly lust and pleasure) that was their works and deeds done which were bad and they will reap eternal damnation for the things they have sown.

Those who will choose life shall have it.

But those who reject it after they received it the word says in Hebrews 6:4-8,

"For it is impossible" for those who were once "enlighted", and have tasted of the "heavenly gift", and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost."

"And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come."

"If they shall "fall away," to "renew" them again unto repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."

"For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:"

"But that which beareth thorns and briers is "rejected", and is nigh unto cursing: "whose End is to be Burned."

Also verses 9-12

If a person is walking in the Spirit they will do the works of God as the Holy Spirit leads them and therefore bring forth fruit unto life.

But those who walk in the flesh and refuse to walk in the Spirit and refuse to let the Holy Spirit lead them then they have their fruit unto death for they were once made alive by the Spirit of the living God but have fallen asleep again and have become dead in their tresspasses and sins all over again.

No ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

One's labour in this life is directly linked to how they live before God by the works and deeds they do whether they live a wicked lifestyle before God in this earth or they live a righteous life before God in this life after their conversion.

In reference to your statement How can you be given what you have got.

Well eternal life has already been given to us when we accepted Christ as our personal Savior but it is our walk of faith (our service, our works, our deeds) in this life our labour of love or it is our labour of sin and wickedness that will ultimately decide the outcome of our faith.

Did we keep or faith all the way to the end or did we cast it aside.

It is those that will endure to the end that will enter into the joys of the Lord.

It is what we do with the eternal life that God has graciously given to us that will decide if we loose that gift.

I hope this give some clarification.

Openly Curious

[Guest NewPilgrim]

OC, you and I had this same discussion in another thread and since you didnt reply to my last post therin, I will assume you didnt read it. For your benefit, here it is again. In case you're interested

_________________________________________________________________________

Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

This is a popular, if not the most popular verse among salvation by works protagonists, but the reason it seems compelling is that the context of this passage, is very broad indeed and even quoting it "in chapter" does not give it its rightful place or meaning. You must read From Chapter 1 of Hebrews, right through to at least the end of chapter 10. This letter is dealing with a problem that we see today. Supposed christians who turn from God and, it seems, never turn back. There is also an underlying theme of priesthood and sacrifice .To go through it all in this post, firstly is unnecessary, as you can read the chapters for yourself, and secondly it would take up way too much space. So I will do my best to summarize coherently and accurately.

Very early on, the author makes a distinction between two types of follower. Those with faith and those without. He also indicates that his thoughts are also on the premise of those who hear the truth and believe, and those who hear the truth and reject it:

Hebrews2:1Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

Heb2:10For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren

Firstly these passages show that rejecting the truth is a fearful thing, it leads to condemnation, therefore, we should harken to it, if we do, we will be sanctified and maintained by the work of Christ (not our own) This includes being made holy. Only Yeshua can make us Holy and we should present ourselves before him in the way he keeps us, not defiling ourselves with sin.

Its a stark contrast to the old (mosaic) covenant where all werein sin until they presented a sacrifice and were made clean by that sacrifice. You might say this was "guilty until proven innocent" Under the new covenant in Yeshua we are innocent until proven guilty, whereby, we are Holy in the eyes of God and it is sin that blemishes that Holiness. Sin which is covered by his once and for all sacrifice. The chapters, go on to explain just this.

Heb3:5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope *firm to the end.

Heb3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end

Heb 3:16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

The Author stresses the impact of unbelief, or rejecting the truth, the gospel, unbelief is the reason we are denied the kingdom, not works or lack of them.

Heb 4:2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest

Heb 4:9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

When we enter Gods rest, his Kingdom, our works are devoid. Works are of God through us at this point on and are not required for the continuation/maintenance of salvation.

There are no bones here, the author states clearly those who believe in him do enter the kingdom, there is no hesitant language at all and no hint of revoking the license, as it were.

Following on is an encouragement to make every effort to enter therin, so that we wont fall (not "fall away"; note) but rather find strength in each other and most importantly in Christ:

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

and so, after an involved description of our new high priest, Yeshua, we come to the crunch passage which elaborates on what has already been said. The focus? - not the believing followers of Yeshua, but the UNBELIEVING hearers of the truth; those who profess with the mouth but whos bitter fruits, or lack of fruits show the true absence of faith in them. They taste the truth of God, shar in it, witness it and yet, still turn away. We know this because the author further more says:

Heb 6:9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation...

The language again important. Fruits that bear out the believing heart, things that accompany salvation, not lead to it, maintain it or earn it, but are accompaniment, complimentary to, evidence of etc...

This vote of confidence in the church from the uthor is re-iterated in the following chapters and the certainty, promise and guarantee of the sacrificial work and priesthood of Yeshua. There are some verse which also speak of "enduring" and holding steadfast all of which in the context of the message bear out as encouragement to let our fruits and faithfulness be shown rather than to become lazy or direputable. Again a key issue amongst contemporary christians, that security of salvation might lead to laziness, the Author says right here...don't let that happen. Glorify Yeshua for the salvation he has secured for you.

Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

My goodness, how did you miss verse 39?

Heb 10:39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

"We're not superficial...we ARE saved!" Amen

*ADENDEM*

In light of our secured salvation and the strength we have in Yeshua, we who TRULLY believe, let us look again at those earlier verses that you may have pointed at as a need to endure. Because in the context of the letter to the Hebrews, our endurance is the work of Yeshua and it is by the fruit of such endurance that one can be seen to be saved:

Heb3:5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope *firm to the end.

BY THEIR FRUITS SHALL YE KNOW THEM

Heb3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end

BY THEIR FRUITS SHALL YE KNOW THEM

Then why are we told to, "work out your own salvation in fear and trembling" ? Phil 2:12

Work OUT, not work FOR. Lets try again shall we?

Phil 1:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name......

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works IN you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

So, Yeshua had all the same breaks that we did, yet HE lived the perfect life and gave it ALL before God on our behalf, even though we don't deserve it. For his sacrifice he has been given all glory and honour and appointed judge over all. Without him, without belief in him, we are condemned, if he hadnt given the perfect sacrifice, we would be condemned. Left to our own devices for salvation, we would be condemned. If we hear the truth and reject him, we are condemned....so, you work it out eh.

Our salvation is Gods work, our good deeds are God's work. our sanctification is Gods work, our holiness is Gods work, our faith is God's work, our endurance is God's work. Maintaining salvation by your works dont cut it. Sorry.

[Openly Curious]

OC, you and I had this same discussion in another thread and since you didnt reply to my last post therin, I will assume you didnt read it. For your benefit, here it is again. In case you're interested

_________________________________________________________________________

Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

This is a popular, if not the most popular verse among salvation by works protagonists, but the reason it seems compelling is that the context of this passage, is very broad indeed and even quoting it "in chapter" does not give it its rightful place or meaning. You must read From Chapter 1 of Hebrews, right through to at least the end of chapter 10. This letter is dealing with a problem that we see today. Supposed christians who turn from God and, it seems, never turn back. There is also an underlying theme of priesthood and sacrifice .To go through it all in this post, firstly is unnecessary, as you can read the chapters for yourself, and secondly it would take up way too much space. So I will do my best to summarize coherently and accurately.

Very early on, the author makes a distinction between two types of follower. Those with faith and those without. He also indicates that his thoughts are also on the premise of those who hear the truth and believe, and those who hear the truth and reject it:

Hebrews2:1Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

Heb2:10For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren

Firstly these passages show that rejecting the truth is a fearful thing, it leads to condemnation, therefore, we should harken to it, if we do, we will be sanctified and maintained by the work of Christ (not our own) This includes being made holy. Only Yeshua can make us Holy and we should present ourselves before him in the way he keeps us, not defiling ourselves with sin.

Its a stark contrast to the old (mosaic) covenant where all werein sin until they presented a sacrifice and were made clean by that sacrifice. You might say this was "guilty until proven innocent" Under the new covenant in Yeshua we are innocent until proven guilty, whereby, we are Holy in the eyes of God and it is sin that blemishes that Holiness. Sin which is covered by his once and for all sacrifice. The chapters, go on to explain just this.

Heb3:5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope *firm to the end.

Heb3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end

Heb 3:16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

The Author stresses the impact of unbelief, or rejecting the truth, the gospel, unbelief is the reason we are denied the kingdom, not works or lack of them.

Heb 4:2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest

Heb 4:9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

When we enter Gods rest, his Kingdom, our works are devoid. Works are of God through us at this point on and are not required for the continuation/maintenance of salvation.

There are no bones here, the author states clearly those who believe in him do enter the kingdom, there is no hesitant language at all and no hint of revoking the license, as it were.

Following on is an encouragement to make every effort to enter therin, so that we wont fall (not "fall away"; note) but rather find strength in each other and most importantly in Christ:

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

and so, after an involved description of our new high priest, Yeshua, we come to the crunch passage which elaborates on what has already been said. The focus? - not the believing followers of Yeshua, but the UNBELIEVING hearers of the truth; those who profess with the mouth but whos bitter fruits, or lack of fruits show the true absence of faith in them. They taste the truth of God, shar in it, witness it and yet, still turn away. We know this because the author further more says:

Heb 6:9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation...

The language again important. Fruits that bear out the believing heart, things that accompany salvation, not lead to it, maintain it or earn it, but are accompaniment, complimentary to, evidence of etc...

This vote of confidence in the church from the uthor is re-iterated in the following chapters and the certainty, promise and guarantee of the sacrificial work and priesthood of Yeshua. There are some verse which also speak of "enduring" and holding steadfast all of which in the context of the message bear out as encouragement to let our fruits and faithfulness be shown rather than to become lazy or direputable. Again a key issue amongst contemporary christians, that security of salvation might lead to laziness, the Author says right here...don't let that happen. Glorify Yeshua for the salvation he has secured for you.

Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

My goodness, how did you miss verse 39?

Heb 10:39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

"We're not superficial...we ARE saved!" Amen

*ADENDEM*

In light of our secured salvation and the strength we have in Yeshua, we who TRULLY believe, let us look again at those earlier verses that you may have pointed at as a need to endure. Because in the context of the letter to the Hebrews, our endurance is the work of Yeshua and it is by the fruit of such endurance that one can be seen to be saved:

Heb3:5 And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope *firm to the end.

BY THEIR FRUITS SHALL YE KNOW THEM

Heb3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end

BY THEIR FRUITS SHALL YE KNOW THEM

Then why are we told to, "work out your own salvation in fear and trembling" ? Phil 2:12

Work OUT, not work FOR. Lets try again shall we?

Phil 1:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name......

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works IN you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

So, Yeshua had all the same breaks that we did, yet HE lived the perfect life and gave it ALL before God on our behalf, even though we don't deserve it. For his sacrifice he has been given all glory and honour and appointed judge over all. Without him, without belief in him, we are condemned, if he hadnt given the perfect sacrifice, we would be condemned. Left to our own devices for salvation, we would be condemned. If we hear the truth and reject him, we are condemned....so, you work it out eh.

Our salvation is Gods work, our good deeds are God's work. our sanctification is Gods work, our holiness is Gods work, our faith is God's work, our endurance is God's work. Maintaining salvation by your works dont cut it. Sorry.

Hello,

Been out of town for a while,

Got scripture for you

"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou Affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be Careful To Maintain Good Works, These things are Good and Profitable unto men". (Titus 3:8) & (Titus 2:14)

I agree that "everything is with out a doubt God's work within us" being salvation, deeds, sanctification, holiness, faith, endurance, strenghth, etc., it is all God working His will within our lives. But the last sentence of your post is where I disagree because to Work Out my salvation I have to "Maintain" my own Christian walk with the Lord I have to "Keep It Up" by prayer, by faith by studying God's Word, by seeking God's guidance, keeping and putting my trust in Him. I have to maintain good works (which I just mentioned) in order for God to be able to continue to use me working His will within me while I'm in this earth. It's kinda like a car if you don't maintain it by changing your oil, air filter every so many thousands of miles then you'll not get the full life out of the vehicle that you could have had if you would have maintained it, kept it up. The same holds true with our relationship with the Lord or else we as Christians will loose our saltiness as in the parable and then we will be good for nothing but to be tossed to the side and trodden under the foot of men.

For one who does not maintain and work out their own salvation with fear and trembling they have stopped watching. These types become a non-believer in the end because their faith does not follow the end of their conversation (behavior).

We are to walk out our profession.

God Bless

Openly Curious

[Guest NewPilgrim]

For one who does not maintain and work out their own salvation with fear and trembling they have stopped watching

Was it necessary to add to the scripture to make your point, really?

Phl 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

The word "maintain" does not appear here.

The verse calls us to understand that salvation is Gods work, through us and in us and that we should uphold it/make it known by doing the good works that God performs through us, for without Gods work we are nothing and without his salvation we are condemned.

Read the book from the beginnig, it is quite obvious that the Paul is concerned that the church has been producing bitter fruits recently and he is concerned that it does not show their belief in Yeshua. This was the first Church tha Paul had founded in europe and he had a close relationship with them. To hear that there were signs of ungodliness despite his labours to give them good grounding must have been quite disheartening.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

By their fruits shall ye know them...

16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

By their fruits shall ye know them...

Paul here states his desire to be proven right about his confidence in their faith by the abundance of their fruits.

17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

[Openly Curious]

For one who does not maintain and work out their own salvation with fear and trembling they have stopped watching

Was it necessary to add to the scripture to make your point, really?

Phl 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

The word "maintain" does not appear here.

The verse calls us to understand that salvation is Gods work, through us and in us and that we should uphold it/make it known by doing the good works that God performs through us, for without Gods work we are nothing and without his salvation we are condemned.

Read the book from the beginnig, it is quite obvious that the Paul is concerned that the church has been producing bitter fruits recently and he is concerned that it does not show their belief in Yeshua. This was the first Church tha Paul had founded in europe and he had a close relationship with them. To hear that there were signs of ungodliness despite his labours to give them good grounding must have been quite disheartening.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

By their fruits shall ye know them...

16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

By their fruits shall ye know them...

Paul here states his desire to be proven right about his confidence in their faith by the abundance of their fruits.

17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. 19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

First off I did not add anything to any scripture in my previous post need to go back and re-read it. The word "Maintain" was clearly written in the scripture reference I gave and to show this once again I'll give the text and verse to save ye some time.

TITUS 3:8 - "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God

might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."

Now as we all can see that the word "Maintain" is included in this particular text for I did not add it in as you have stated I did.

And in fact the verse here in which I was commenting on does tell us in fact to "Be Careful to Maintain Good Works"

Have you ever heard the term used by folks around you when they say,

"Keep Up The Good Work" well that's what we as Christians have to keep on doing until we go on to be with the Lord we got to keep on fighting the good fight of faith and maintain our Christian walk we got to "Keep Up The Good Work" and I am sorry that my little point of view has offended you in any way.

But I do believe a lot of believers have become careless in their walk with the Lord and have left their first love, I believe some have even left the faith, just as other scriptures tells us. So I do believe I have to be "Careful To Maintain" good works because I do look and anticipate the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that I have to be watching and be ready to go should He choose to come today. That blessed hope I have inside teaches me these things.

I believe in the scripture ye quoted in Philippians 2:12 and I will work out my own salvation accordingly and as long as the Good Lord is willing to let me live I will endeavor to give myself over unto His Lordship according to the scriptures found in Romans 12:1-3 I will be careful to "Do" these things I will be "careful to maintain" these things in my life. I will endeavor to "Keep Up The Good Work.

In His Stead

Openly Curious