Question: Does this mean that I can go out and sin, now that I'm saved, without any bad consequences?
Answer: No, because
a) God will discipline us now, and we will be sorry.
b) We will lose our rewards later on in heaven.
I. STATEMENTS OF REWARDS IN HEAVEN:
"And, behold, I come quickly: and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be". Revelation 22:12
"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done". Colossians 3:23-25
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad". II Corinthians 5:10
"Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord". Ephesians 6:8
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus". Philippians 3:14
"Moses... had respect unto the recompense of the reward". Hebrews 11:26
"Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..". Matthew 6:19,20
"To have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom". II Peter 1:11
"So then everyone of us shall give account of himself to God". Romans 14:12
Christ will come to judge the works of believers and to distribute rewards. The believer will not be judged with regard to his sins (John 5:24). Christ received that judgment on our behalf on the cross (II Corinthians 5:21) and we will not again be called to account for them at Christ's return. During this life, however the believer is disciplined for the sins that he commits (Hebrews 12:7-11). But when Christ returns, believers will be judged as to how well we have used the talents
(Matthew 25:14-30), the pounds (Luke 19:11-27), and the opportunities
(Matthew 20:1-16) that God has entrusted to us. Salvation is a free gift of God (Romans 6:23) and comes from the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8).When James says that we are saved by works (James 2:24), he means by faith that produces works (2:22,26). Paul says that while we are saved by grace, we are saved to do good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). The Lord has given believers an opportunity to lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6.20), and so to have an abundant entrance into God's everlasting kingdom (II Peter 1:11).
II. FOR WHAT WILL WE BE REWARDED IN HEAVEN?
(1) Faithfulness to God and to his work in using our talents, pounds and opportunities will be rewarded. If we sow sparingly, we reap sparingly. If we sow bountifully, we reap bountifully.
"It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful." I Corinthians 4:2
(2) Reaping the harvest of souls for Jesus Christ.
"He that reapeth receives wages". John 4:35-37
(3) Patiently enduring suffering and affliction brings heavenly rewards.
"Our light affliction which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." II Corinthians 4:17
(4) They that turn many to righteousness will shine as the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3
(5) In keeping of them (God's commandments) there is a great reward.
Psalm 19:11
(6) When we are persecuted for righteousness sake. Matthew 5.10.
When people revile you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for Jesus Christ's sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven. Matthew 5:10-12
(7) Giving money secretly. Matthew 6:4
(8) Praying secretly. Matthew 6:6
(9) Fasting secretly. Matthew 6:18
(10) Hospitality. Receiving, helping or welcoming a prophet or a righteous man. Matthew 10:41. If you receive or help a prophet or righteous man, you get a prophet or righteous man's reward.
(11) If you give a cup of cold water to a disciple, you will not lose your reward. Matthew 10:42 God notices all the little acts of kindness that we do, and promises to reward us for them.
(12) If people hate you, and separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and shall cast out your name as evil for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice, and leap for joy, for your reward is great in heaven.
Luke 6:22,23
(13) Your reward shall be great if you do as in: Luke 6:27-31,35
a) Love your enemies
b) Do good to them that hate you.
c) Bless them that curse you.
d) Pray for them that despitefully use you.
e) To him that smites thee on the cheek, offer the other.
f) If he takes your cloak, offer your coat.
g) Give to every one that asks thee.
h) Of him that takes away thy goods, ask them not again.
i) Do to men as ye would have them do to you.
j) Lend, hoping for nothing again.
As sufferers in an evil world, we will be rewarded for endurance.
"If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him". II Timothy 2:12
(14) If we plant the gospel and water it in people's lives.
"He that plants (Paul) and he that waters (Apollos) are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour".
I Corinthians 3:8 .
(15) If we have eternal values. If we build on the foundation of Christ, by using gold, silver, precious stone type works of eternal value.
I Corinthians 3:11-15
If our work abides, we will receive a reward . v.14
If any man's life work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. v.15
The quality of our life's work will be rewarded at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
(16) If I preach the gospel willingly, I have a reward. I Corinthian 9:16,17
(17) Meekness in serving Christ. Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5) The reward is real estate ownership in the Millennium.
(18) Cast not away your confidence which hath great recompense of reward. Hebrews 10:35
(19) How we treat other believers. "God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed to His name in that ye have ministered to the saints and do minister". Hebrews 6:10
(20) How we exercise our Pastoral ministry to others.
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you". Hebrews 13:17
(21) How we use our God-given abilities. "Thou hast been faithful over a very little, have thou authority over ten cities". Luke 19:17
(22) How we use our money. "Charge them that are rich in this world. ...... that they be ready to distribute.....I Timothy 6:17-19.
"Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come...". II Corinthian 9:6,7.
(23) How much we suffer for Jesus Christ.
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory". II Corinthian 4:17; Romans 8:18; I Peter 4:12,13; II Timothy 2:12.
(24) How we run the race that God has chosen for us.
"So run that ye may obtain". I Corinthian 9:24.
(25) How effectively we control sin. "And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible crown". I Corinthian 9:25-27
(26) How we react to temptation. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" Revelation 2:10 .
(27) How much we love the Lord's appearing.
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at the day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing". II Timothy 4:8
(28) How faithful we are to the Word of God, and to feed the flock of God. "Feed the flock of God ... When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away". I Peter 5:2-4
(29) Doing everything heartily, as unto the Lord.
"Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23,24
III . WHAT WILL OUR REWARDS BE ?
The Christians' reward is sometimes mentioned as a "prize" (I Corinthian 9:24), and sometimes as a "crown" (I Corinthians 9:25). Five Crowns may be won:
(1) Incorruptible crown - for those who discipline the body, as an athlete to achieve great things for God. I Corinthians 9:25-27.
(2) Rejoicing - for those who win people to Christ. I Thessalonians 2:19,20.
(3) Life - for those who love Christ enough to endure temptation. James 1:12, Revelation 2:10.
(4) Righteousness - for those who love Christ's second coming. II Timothy 4:8.
(5) Glory - for pastors and teachers who faithfully feed the flock of God. I Peter 5:2-4.
Other rewards available are :
(1) Our Lord's approval - "Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things" Matthew 25:21.
(2) Rule over many things. "If we suffer with him, we shall reign with him."
II. Timothy 2:12. "They shall reign for ever and ever." Revelation 22:5
(3) Authority over 10 cities, 5 cities etc. "Thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over 10 cities" Luke 19:17
(4) Inherit all things. "He that overcometh shall inherit all things".
Revelation 21:7
We may sit with Christ in His Throne. Revelation 3:21.
He has made us unto our God Kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth . Revelation 5:10.
(5) His servants shall Serve Him. "They shall see his face". Revelation 22:3,4
IV. HOW MAY WE LOSE OUR REWARDS ?
Is it possible for someone who has earned certain rewards to lose them through sinful living? These verses imply "yes".
(1) By Backsliding, not holding fast which thou hast.
"Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown".
Revelation 3:11
(2) By following Deceivers. "For many deceivers are entered into the world". II John 7
(3) By not looking to ourselves, to check our behaviour.
"Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward". II John 8
(4) By Worshipping angels. "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, ........ and not holding the Head...". Colossians 2:18
(5) By not expecting Christ's return.
"...Say in his heart: My lord delays his coming". Matthew 24:48
(6) By doing wrong. "But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done". Colossians 3:25
(7) By not abiding in Christ. Faithfulness in our service here to Christ will result in privileged service in eternity. Our works from salvation to the grave will be on display as a painting, so that all believers and angels can see the results of our life's work for Christ. "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming". I John 2:28.
