Essential vs Nonessential

[WIP]

We are told to watch ourselves, and abide in Him to make sure we receive a FULL reward. Which means it is possible that some will not receive a full reward. And our crowns can be taken from us. Which means that some may not have crowns.

Some have soiled their Garments, but those who are enduring will be dressed in white. So some may not have a uniform of Glory.

There is not potential for jealousy or sadness in the eternal state.......our sin nature dies at our physical death.
Philippians 3:21 (NASB95)
21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Revelation 21:4 (NASB95)
4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

I will have no problem saying " Yes,sir or yes ma'am" to the people who advanced farther than me. We will all be perfectly content and know that everything was put in it's proper order .........And it is not equal, Just perfectly fair to all in relation to how far we went with Christ in this life.

Luke 19~~15“When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these slaves, to whom he had given the money, be called to him so that he might know what business they had done. 16“The first appeared, saying, ‘Master, your mina has made ten minas more.’ 17“And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.’ 18“The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, master, has made five minas.’ 19“And he said to him also, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’

So what is the benefit of gaining rewards of differing levels if we will all be perfectly satisfied with whatever reward we receive? The only way to realize that the reward received is lower than what one could have received is to understand the ramifications of the situation. If one is totally without the propensity to feel remorse then there is no reward greater than another and there is no value in living a life worthy of the salvation one has received, assuming one receives it when one first believes. In other words, once I have been saved, I am free not only from the law but also free to live whatever life I choose while on this earth, even to the point of dedicating my life here for Satan.

But Scripture warns over and over to "watch out". Why??????????????????????????

 

[gr8grace3]

Yes the crown of Life is a reference to eternal life, which is given to those who have been approved.

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

• when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life

JLB

So if we endure temptations we are given eternal life?

The crown of life is not eternal life. The Lord Jesus Christ is eternal life.
Col 3~~3For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

What do we endure in this LIFE? Temptations. And the crown of life is rewarded to those believers who have proper motivation through bible doctrine to endure temptation in this LIFE.

The kicker here is in the fact that we can endure temptations through our own strength and our own "problem solving" ideas and never be rewarded the crown of life. We have to have proper motivation and utilize His "problem solving" ideas so that we Glorify Him rather than ourselves.

The Crown of life is rewarded to born-again believers who have doctrine in their soul(our faith) and apply it in the trials of LIFE.

New American Standard Bible
'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

 

[gr8grace3]

So what is the benefit of gaining rewards of differing levels if we will all be perfectly satisfied with whatever reward we receive?

Rewards are not about us and us being satisfied. They are about Glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ in time.

It is not about "how many rewards I can get." It is about living and Glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ. We just happen to get rewards for it.

We are still going to be rational beings in the eternal state. We will know what we missed out on if we failed in areas. We will just see from a CLEAR perspective and without a sin nature. He is Just and true in all things.

And at the Bema seat some get saved as if through fire. I don't believe I want to test that out. I would guess that it is quite shameful for a moment.
New American Standard Bible
Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.

But Scripture warns over and over to "watch out". Why??????????????????????????

So that we Glorify the Lord in our walk. And run the race to win.....the FULL reward. So we don't have to shrink away from Him in SHAME when He comes for us. So we don't have to endure His discipline in this life.

It ain't because He is warning us about perishing. He said that we will NEVER perish. John 10:28.

And I saw Freegrace mention this. If I spent my entire christian life trying to make believers think that they could possibly perish.......I would NOT want to be in their shoes at the Bema seat.

 

[Seabass]

Qualified men.
Qualified man determined that the following is essential to Christian faith and practice.

There is no qualified man to decide for everyone else that parts of God's word are not important, non-essential. No man can make that decision for me. God has already spoken to the fact all His word is important ...man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God

 

[gr8grace3]

One of the bad things done in the body is claiming that any recipient of eternal life can perish.


I've never even tried to erase this wonderful FACT. And I would hate to be in anyone's shoes who keeps claiming that salvation can be lost.

Matt 23:13~~New American Standard Bible
"But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

Honestly, if eternal security were not true......it would make one of the "woe" verses.

Woe to you teachers who teach my beloved children that I won't throw them in the lake of fire.........Seems blasphemous just to type the point out in my world!

 

[Seabass]

I think all understand that faith in Christ means believing in Him by accepting as truth that He is who He says He is and can do what He says He does.

Not all will accept that fact that faith itself is a work.
Not all will accept the fact that faith alone does not justify a man.

There's another difference between our understanding, I believe faith is a gift and that all who receive it will show it.

Romans 10:17 faith comes by hearing and not a gift God arbitrarily gives to some and not others.

So not only would there by a big disagreement over what faith is, but also over how one even gets faith.

 

[Gregg T]

This is why the debate rages. Many don't get to know their Lord and Savior after salvation and question their eternal life.

If we KNOW Him......... His character, virtue, integrity(His Word/doctrines.....our faith). Loss of salvation gets thrown out the door.

Eternal life is SOLID and UNMOVABLE and IRREVOCABLE . Romans 11:29........salvation and our eternal life is unquestionable in our minds if we KNOW Him.

If we don't get to know Him after salvation..........fear, worry and doubt WILL set in.

A great affirmation. Many other truths in Scripture are not hidden from you because of your understanding in this matter. The LORD is our righteosness, an awesome Savior, the Faithful One.

 

[Gregg T]

So then, this seems to teach that eternal life is given to those who endure temptation? Is that correct?

Such a view is that of the Pharisees, who had a works salvation system. Which Jesus condemned.

Have you discarded John 3:15,16, 5:24, 6:40, 47 from your Bible?

You are absolutely right. The pharisees thought their righteousness and good works, and outward adherance to the Law earned an audience before the LORD.

 

[Gregg T]

So what is the benefit of gaining rewards of differing levels if we will all be perfectly satisfied with whatever reward we receive? The only way to realize that the reward received is lower than what one could have received is to understand the ramifications of the situation. If one is totally without the propensity to feel remorse then there is no reward greater than another and there is no value in living a life worthy of the salvation one has received, assuming one receives it when one first believes. In other words, once I have been saved, I am free not only from the law but also free to live whatever life I choose while on this earth, even to the point of dedicating my life here for Satan.

But Scripture warns over and over to "watch out". Why??????????????????????????

Why do you assume we will be satisfied with whatever reward we recieve?

Do you know of any Christians who are 'totally without the propensity to feel remorse' or who have dedicated their life here for Satan?

Given that we are Christ's workmanship, and that He is the Beginning and perfector of our faith, do you think He might be working in the hearts of believers to bring about remorse when it is necessary?

You say one saved is free to live whatever life he chooses. In what Scripture does the LORD explain this freedom for those that belong to Him?

 

[netchaplain]

Not all will accept that fact that faith itself is a work.
Not all will accept the fact that faith alone does not justify a man.
Romans 10:17 faith comes by hearing and not a gift God arbitrarily gives to some and not others.
So not only would there by a big disagreement over what faith is, but also over how one even gets faith.

God gives faith by way of hearing the Word, and only to those who seek it ("seek and find"), which is for whom He has prepared to receive.

 

[gr8grace3]

Why do you assume we will be satisfied with whatever reward we recieve?

True. I believe we will know for all eternity of where we failed to glorify the Lord. We will just be without a sin nature and we will see it through the perfect justice of God.

 

[billybalke]

God gives faith by way of hearing the Word, and only to those who seek it ("seek and find"), which is for whom He has prepared to receive.

That sounds like Calvinism.

 

[Gregg T]

True. I believe we will know for all eternity of where we failed to glorify the Lord. We will just be without a sin nature and we will see it through the perfect justice of God.

God's justice, His righteousness, leads back to the forum title - Essential vs Non-esential. It is right to admit that God is just and righteous, and to believe in Him who justifies those who believe His word, who trust in His salvation through Jesus Christ, who accounts His righteousness to those having called on His Name for salvation.

Eph 1:20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,

Eph 2:6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly placesin Christ Jesus,

For the life of me, I can not understand why some here would bend the Scriptures to think their good works, their righteousness, their being a co-savior with God will merit salvation. We are raised with and seated with our Savior, having a life that is eternal, never to perish for any reason.

Eph 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."

However, some here greatly desire to make salvation based on their works, modern day pharisees. Where does His grace, salvation, workmanship, gift, and His creation in Christ leave room for self-justification and works meritorious for keeping it? Where does the blood of Christ leave room for our sustaining His redemption?

Brother, keep standing firm in your faith and soteriology, as you are blessed to understand the truth in these matters.

 

[netchaplain]

That sounds like Calvinism.

If you're referring to "or whom He has prepared to receive," means the soul did not resit or reject God's offer to all mankind (Tit 2:11; Col 1:23), so He prepared it to be receptive via faith.

 

[Jim Parker]

No man can make that decision for me.

Good luck with that.

 

[gr8grace3]

For the life of me, I can not understand why some here would bend the Scriptures to think their good works, their righteousness, their being a co-savior with God will merit salvation. We are raised with and seated with our Savior, having a life that is eternal, never to perish for any reason.

Because religion is satans ace trump.

How great is our darkness if we think we are in the light?

satan isn't going to convince a born-again believer that it is ok to sin all we want, live like hell...even most unbelievers understand this.. But He sure can convince us that we need to "work" and be "good" to gain salvation or maintain salvation.

And THAT is a worse spot than going out and living like hell. Living like hell takes a toll on us.........But our pride and arrogance of being "good enough" can and will take us to the grave.

 

[Jim Parker]

However, some here greatly desire to make salvation based on their works,

So we should just tear James chapter 2 out of the Bible along with the following?
Mat 25:31-46; Jhn 3:36; 5:28-29; 8:51; Ro 6:2-10; 8:12-14; 2Cor 5:10; 1 Pet 1:17; 1 John 2:17; Rev 20:12-13; 22:12-14

 

[JLB]

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Which is another way of saying -

I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life;

Which is the context of the letters written to the Churches.

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 3:5

And also -

7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving,abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7-8

Not removed from the book of Life, for overcoming.

Given the crown of Life for overcoming.

Not being harmed by the second death for overcoming.

Are all ways of saying the same thing.

Receiving eternal life on the Day.




Case Closed!


JLB

 

[JLB]

That sounds like Calvinism.

You are correct.

 

[JLB]

However, some here greatly desire to make salvation based on their works, modern day pharisees.

Whose words are these?

..,.all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. John 5:28-29

• those who have done good, to the resurrection of life

Salvation is based on obedience.

Those who disobey the Gospel will receive His vengeance and everlasting destruction by fire.


I refuse to be deceived by empty words.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Ephesians 5:6-7

• the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them

JLB