Christianity, an intricate tapestry of faith, works, and grace, provides a blueprint for its adherents on how to navigate the journey of life. Fundamental to these teachings is the understanding of the divine balance between eternal rewards for righteous deeds and chastening for sins. This article explores these concepts deeply embedded within the Christian faith, using references from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.
The promise of eternal rewards for righteous acts forms a significant pillar in the Christian faith. This promise doesn’t merely serve as an incentive for good conduct; it reaffirms the inherent value of living according to God’s precepts.
The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 2:10, declares, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” This verse succinctly encapsulates the Christian purpose—being reborn in Christ to lead lives characterized by good works.
In Matthew 25:21, Jesus uses the Parable of the Talents to elucidate the rewards that await the faithful, “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.”
Further confirming the concept of individual recompense, 1 Corinthians 3:8 avows, “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.” These verses not only attest to the certainty of rewards but also emphasize their correlation to the quality and quantity of one’s righteous deeds.
But what are these rewards? The Bible doesn’t give us an exhaustive list but, there are at least 5 crowns mentioned in the following list:
Yet, the path of faith isn’t devoid of challenges or stumbles. Scripture acknowledges this reality, reassuring believers of God’s chastening hand, not as a form of cruel punishment, but as a loving correction aimed at realigning believers with His divine righteousness.
Hebrews 12:6 assures us, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Here, the word ‘chasteneth’ underscores God’s love, which prompts Him to correct His followers when they err.
1 Corinthians 11:32 echoes this sentiment: “But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.” Divine chastening, then, emerges not as a condemnation but as a saving grace, designed to prevent believers from sharing the world’s fate.
Revelation 3:19 reaffirms the same, stating, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” The invitation here is to recognize divine chastening for what it truly is—an expression of God’s love—and respond with zealous repentance.
The Christian journey, therefore, is a balanced dance between the assurance of eternal rewards for good works and divine chastening for sins. The latter isn’t meant to deter believers but is a loving and corrective guide towards the path of righteousness.
This dual reality is eloquently summarized in Hebrews 12:11, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
In other words, while chastening might be challenging in the moment, it ultimately bears the peaceful fruit of righteousness—a fruit worth enduring correction for.
Romans 2:6-7 also draws together these concepts beautifully, saying, “Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.” Here we see that the eternal reward and divine chastening are not contradictory but complementary aspects of the Christian journey.
Many Christians have confused the loss of rewards with the loss of salvation. Loss of rewards in eternity as a consequence of failing to endure in good works, and intimacy with God, or, as in Paul’s metaphor, of failing in running the best race to obtain the prize, is a constant theme throughout the New Testament. Here are some bible verses that one can cite when discussing the concept of loss of reward, rather than loss of salvation:
1 Corinthians 3:13-15: “Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
This verse suggests that believers’ actions will be tested, and while they may lose rewards for deeds that don’t stand the test, they will still be saved.
2 John 1:8: “Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.”
Here, the Apostle John encourages believers to live in such a way that they don’t lose the reward for their work.
Matthew 6:1: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”
This verse suggests that there are behaviors that can lead to a loss of reward.
Luke 14:14: “And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
This verse speaks to the concept of future rewards for present actions.
Revelation 3:11: “I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”
This verse hints at the idea that believers have a “crown” (reward) that they can potentially lose.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
Matthew 10:42: “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
2 Timothy 2:12: “If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” Deny us our ‘crown’ or ‘reward’.
Colossians 2:18: “Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind.”
1 Corinthians 4:5: “Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.”
Matthew 16:27: “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 they have done.”
Luke 19:24-26: “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.'”
Romans 14:10-12: “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”
James 1:12: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
Hebrews 6:10: “For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.”
2 Timothy 4:8: “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.”
Matthew 5:19: “Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 25:28-29: “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.'”
Luke 6:35: “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 children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”
Revelation 22:12: “And behold, I am coming soon. I bring with me the recompense I will give to each according to his deeds.”
Q1: Does God reward us for good works?
A1: Yes, scripture clearly teaches that God rewards believers for good works performed in faith. This concept is underlined in verses such as Matthew 25:21 and 1 Corinthians 3:8.
Q2: Does God chastise us for sin?
A2: Absolutely. The Bible affirms that God corrects His followers when they sin, serving as a loving act to bring them back to righteousness. This is conveyed in verses like Hebrews 12:6 and Revelation 3:19.
Q3: Are rewards and chastening conflicting concepts?
A3: No, they are not conflicting but rather integral elements of the Christian life. God’s chastening serves as loving correction, while the promise of eternal rewards encourages believers to persist in righteous living. This is perfectly balanced in Romans 2:6-7.
Q4: When God chastens us, does it include loss of salvation?
A4: Absolutely not! Salvation is a free gift of eternal life, not earned. God chastens believers in this life with the most serious consequence being premature death.
In conclusion, the Christian journey, as mapped out in the scriptures, is a fascinating interplay between divine grace and human responsibility, between the promise of eternal rewards and the loving chastening of a Father. Understanding this dynamic is key to embracing the fullness of life that the Christian faith offers. Fixing our eyes on Jesus and what He accomplished for us in His great mercy and love should naturally spur us on to good works. Eternal rewards are an extra bonus. Amen?
