To the editor: There is a vast difference in doctrine of salvation for the lost and the doctrine of rewards for the saved. Salvation is “the gift of God: not of works” Eph. 2 8-9. Salvation is received by faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ John 3-36. Rewards are according to the works of the believer Matt 16-27.
A most revealing Scripture concerning rewards is found I Cor 3-8-15. First every believer will be rewarded according to his own labor verse 8 We do not labor for salvation.
Second “We are laborers together with God” verse 9 not for salvation, but for rewards. Third, the believer is to build on the Lord Jesus Christ, the only foundation verse 11.
Fourth, the believer has a choice of two kinds of building materials “gold, silver, precious stones”, this is building with eternal materials, or “wood hay, stubble,” this is building with temporal materials verse 12 II Cor. 4:18.
The believer who builds on Christ with eternal materials, “gold, silver, precious stones,” shall receive a reward. Those who build on Christ with temporal materials “wood, hay, stubble” will receive no rewards. The works will be destroyed at the judgment seat of Christ “and the believer will suffer loss not the loss of salvation, but the loss of eternal rewards.
Some believers will be ashamed at the judgment seas of Christ (1 John 2-28) ashamed of their works of “wood, hay, and stubble”
Rewards are called “crowns” in the new testament.
1. The crown of Life (James 1-12)
2. The crown incorruptible (1 Cor. 9 24-27)
3. The crown of Rejoicing (1 Thes. 2-19, 20)
4. The crown of Righteousness (II Tim 4-5-8)
5. The crown of Glory (I Peter 5-2-4)
May God bless you all,
Mayor James Bonsell
Bellwood
