FAITH and WORKS–REWARDS?
“I believe if my good works outweigh my bad deeds, I will go to heaven.” You, like me, may have heard statements like this. But according to the Bible: “it is by grace you [are] saved, through faith [in Jesus Christ]—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast….” (Ephesians 2:8-10). Yet, someone might ask, if or how anyone will be rewarded for their “good works” ?
REWARD FOR WORKS NOT BASED ON TRUE FAITH
The Bible reveals that works not based on true faith in and love for the Lord and others are not rewarded by God. He counsels people: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). And God tells them, even if one gives away all they have, and if they deliver up their body to be burned, “but have not love, they gain nothing” from God (1 Corinthians 13:3).
The Lord Jesus Christ knows the heart of all people (John 2:25). He told some people, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness’ (Matthew 7:21-23).
To be rewarded by God, his biblical Word tells us works must be based on belief in and love for the Lord Jesus Christ. The Son of God said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
REWARDS FOR WORKS BASED ON TRUE FAITH
Even though the Bible reveals that works not based on faith in Jesus Christ will not be rewarded by God, it show that s works truly built on Christ will be rewarded.
The Bible says: “If the work that anyone has built on the foundation [of Jesus Christ] survives, he will receive a reward” (1 Corinthians 3:14). But. if anyone’s work does not stand up to fiery trial of the Scriptures when Jesus judges people’s work, ”he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved” (1 Corinthians 3:15; Romans 2:16).
Paul, who faithfully preached the gospel, did many righteous works after he believed in the Lord and was filled with the Holy Spirit. Some of these works that glorify the Lord can be seem in 2 Corinthians 11:23-31..
Because his works glorified Christ and not himself, the apostle Paul said, “henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).
The Lord Jesus Christ said if anyone has a heart to loves and obey him, he will give that person the Holy Spirit to help them obey him (John 14:15-17). And if the indwelling Spirit help them to do works for the sake of the Lord, they will be rewarded, They will receive much more in this world…”and in the world to come that person will have eternal life” (Mark 10:30). And they will be given “ the crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8).
Are you that person?
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