Salvation and Rewards

Call To Prayer

Title: Salvation and Rewards

By: Njuacha Hubert

Date: 10.06.2023

 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10

It is quite clear from scriptures that we are rewarded based on works or deeds (Romans 2:6, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelations 20:12). However the gospel makes us understand that no one is saved except through faith in Christ Jesus and not by works or deeds (John 3:1-20, Ephesians 2:8-9). We can see this from the example of the “good” thief(Luke 23:43). After he believed Jesus, he obtained Salvation. Since the Word does not contradict itself unless we don’t understand it yet, it means that salvation and rewards are not the same thing. The former is obtained through faith, the latter is obtained through works. However there is still a direct relationship.
Salvation is entering the kingdom of God(John 3:5). Salvation is receiving eternal life(John 3:16). It is something happens in the spirit the moment you believe and accept Jesus and will be made manifest on the last day. Salvation is a gift from God. You don’t earn it; only that you either accept it or reject it(Ephesians 2:8-9). Paying for something means giving an amount that is worth the value of what you purchased. So then, how much good do you think is worth earning an entry ticket into God’s kingdom, buying the citizenship of Heaven and gaining eternal life?
Rewards on the other hand is what comes from the works we do whether good or bad. What then is the relationship? Faith gets you into the kingdom and now that you are in the kingdom, there is power available called grace(also call it Holy spirit) that enables you to work(Philippians 4:13) and it is this work you do that gets you rewards. So you are working not by power nor by might but by the spirit that is at work within you. You can confer Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 15:10.

You may ask: what about those who do good works without being saved? Will they receive their rewards? Of course they will, but it is on earth (Mathew 6:1-5). However, not in heaven because they have not qualified to enter the Kingdom (Ironically that qualification is simply accepting the gift of salvation). Some people have not had the privilege to decide to be saved or not( or at least, so we think, but are not certain because how then was Abraham or Moses saved?), however judgement is of the Lord. You just do what you have known of His word and leave the implementation of His judgement to Him. One thing is sure; you can’t be more good than God (Mark 10:18).

I end with these words from Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” There is work to be done by you in the kingdom but more than enough grace to do that work gracefully.

Prayer Point:

Let’s thank God for the abundant grace in Christ Jesus. Let’s pray that we always remember to rely on His grace not on ourselves.