Eternal Salvation: A Gift from God

1. Salvation is a heavenly gift; not a rewardRom 6:23 Eph 2:8-9 Tit 3:5 Reward Our Work for God Future Rev 22:12 Earned 1 Cor 3:8 Can be Lost 2 John 1:8 Differ 1 Cor 3:12-15 For Believers Works 1 Cor 9:27 Determines What We’ll Have and Do Salvation God’s Work for Us Past 1 John 3:2 Free Eph 2:8-9 Can’t be lost John 10:27-29 The Same for All Rom 3:22 For Believers John 3:16 Determines Where We’ll Be Forgiveness of sins Heb 10:12-18 Paid Once for All Ps 103:8-18 Rom 8:31-39 John 5:24 Rom 8:1

2. Salvation is a heavenly gift; not a rewardRom 6:23 Eph 2:8-9 Tit 3:5Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ephes. 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

3. SalvationGod’s Work for Us • Past 1 John 3:2 • Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. • Free Ephes. 2:8-9 • For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast. • Can’t be lost John 10:27-29 • My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: [28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. [29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. • The Same for All Romans 3:22 • Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: • For Believers John 3:16 • For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. • Determines Where We’ll Be

4. Reward: Our Work for God • Future Rev. 22:12 • And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. • Earned 1 Cor. 3:8 • Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. • Can be Lost 2 John 1:8 • Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. • Differ 1 Cor. 3:12-15 • Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; [13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. [14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. [15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. • For Believers Works 1 Cor. 9:27 • But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. • Determines What We’ll Have and Do

5. Forgiveness of sins • Hebrews 10:12-18 • But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; [13] From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. [14] For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. [15] Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, [16] This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; [17] And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. [18] Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

6. Paid Once for All • Psalm 103:8-18 • The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. [9] He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. [10] He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. [11] For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. [12] As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. [13] Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. [14] For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. [15] As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. [16] For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. [17] But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; [18] To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. • Romans 8:31-39 • What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? [32] He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? [33] Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. [34] Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. • John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. • Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

7. Lord, Lord John 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

8. Reward (Mat 5:12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Mat 5:46) For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (Mat 6:1) Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. (Mat 6:2) Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (Mat 6:3) But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: (Mat 6:4) That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. (Mat 6:5) And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (Mat 6:6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

9. Reward (Mat 6:16) Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (Mat 6:17) But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; (Mat 6:18) That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. (Mat 10:41) He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. (Mat 10:42) And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (Mat 16:27) For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Mar 9:41) For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. (Luk 6:23) Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

10. Reward (Luk 6:35) But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (Luk 23:41) And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. (Act 1:18) Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. (Rom 4:4) Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. (1Co 3:8) Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. (1Co 3:14) If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. (1Co 9:17) For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. (1Co 9:18) What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

11. Reward (Col 2:18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (Col 3:24) Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (1Ti 5:18) For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. (2Ti 4:14) Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: (Heb 2:2) For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; (Heb 10:35) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. (Heb 11:26) Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. (2Pe 2:13) And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

12. Reward (2Jo 1:8) Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (Jud 1:11) Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. (Rev 11:18) And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. (Rev 18:6) Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. (Rev 22:12) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (1Co 9:24) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. (Phi 3:14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

13. 10,000% returnMatt 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. • Doing good works Eph 6:8 Rom 2:6, 10 • Denying self Matt 16:24-27 • Showing compassion to the needy Luk 14:13-14 • Treating enemies kindly Luk 6:35 • Sacrificial / generous giving Matt 19:21 • Enduring difficulties while trusting God Heb 10:34-36 • Live faithfully and with good motives 1 Cor 4:2,5 • Persevere under persecution Luk 6:22-23 • Live a godly life 2 Pet 3:11-14 • Make wise productive use of the opportunities He gives Matt 25:14-23 Galatians 6:9 Matt 6:33 Matt 6:12-14 Matt 19:29 Col 3:2

14. Lay up treasuresMat 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. • Doing good works Eph 6:8 Rom 2:6, 10 • Ephes. 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. • Romans 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: • Romans 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: • Denying self Matt 16:24-27 • Matthew 16:24-27 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. [25] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. [26] For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? [27] For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. • Showing compassion to the needy Luk 14:13-14 • Luke 14:13-14 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: [14] And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. • Treating enemies kindly Luk 6:35 • Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Galatians 6:9 Matt 6:33 Matt 6:12-14 Matt 19:29 Col 3:2

15. Seek ye firstMat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. • Sacrificial / generous giving Matt 19:21 • Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. • Enduring difficulties while trusting God Heb 10:34-36 • Hebrews 10:34-36 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. [35] Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. [36] For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. • Live faithfully and with good motives 1 Cor 4:2,5 • 1 Cor. 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. • 1 Cor. 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. • Persevere under persecution Luk 6:22-23 • Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. [23] Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. Galatians 6:9 Matt 6:33 Matt 6:12-14 Matt 19:29 Col 3:2

16. Don’t quitGalatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. • Live a godly life 2 Pet 3:11-14 • 2 Peter 3:11-14 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, [12] Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? [13] Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. [14] Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. • Make wise productive use of the opportunities He gives Matt 25:14-23 • Matthew 25:14-23 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. [15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. [16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. [17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. [18] But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. [19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. [20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. [21] His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. [22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. [23] His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Galatians 6:9 Matt 6:33 Matt 6:12-14 Matt 19:29 Col 3:2

17. Loss (Matt 10:42) And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (Mark 9:41) For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. (2 John 1:8) Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (1Cor 3:15) If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (2 Pet 1:10-11) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (Rev 22:12) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

18. A Great Little Study Guide on the Subject “The Law of Rewards” By: Randy Alcorn Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, IL ISBN: 0-8423-8106-6