Rewards and Judgement
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randyb
Jan 19, 2009, 11:54:34 AM1/19/09
to Southside Discussion Group
In preperation for a lesson for my small group I've run into a bit of
a puzzle that I'd like to share and get some input and opinions on.
We know that we are saved by our faith and the grace of God through
the Son Jesus Christ. We also know that we will all stand before the
judgement seat of God to give an accounting of our works for Him. So
here's the qustion. If the redeemed believers of Christ will be saved
through His grace and will only be accountable for what we did for His
kingdom during our life time not judged for are sins becasue that
price has been paid by Christ on calvary and our salvation secured
through His grace. I have some confusion with the parable of the ten
talents recorded in Matthew 25:14-30. Particulary with verses 29,30
where Jesus (the master in the parable) instructs that the
unprofitable servant be thrown into the darkness where there will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth. Is this just a loss of rewards or does
this parable indicate that salvation can actually be lost by lack of
not caring enough to work to advance the kingdom of the Lord?
a puzzle that I'd like to share and get some input and opinions on.
We know that we are saved by our faith and the grace of God through
the Son Jesus Christ. We also know that we will all stand before the
judgement seat of God to give an accounting of our works for Him. So
here's the qustion. If the redeemed believers of Christ will be saved
through His grace and will only be accountable for what we did for His
kingdom during our life time not judged for are sins becasue that
price has been paid by Christ on calvary and our salvation secured
through His grace. I have some confusion with the parable of the ten
talents recorded in Matthew 25:14-30. Particulary with verses 29,30
where Jesus (the master in the parable) instructs that the
unprofitable servant be thrown into the darkness where there will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth. Is this just a loss of rewards or does
this parable indicate that salvation can actually be lost by lack of
not caring enough to work to advance the kingdom of the Lord?
Robert
Jan 21, 2009, 12:05:27 PM1/21/09
to Southside Discussion Group
Our salvation is determined only by the grace of God through faith in
Christ, having nothing to do with our works in any ways shape or form.
However, our life in Christ WILL be judged based on how we served
God. 1 Corinthians 3 speaks of this: 12If any man builds on this
foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,
13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it
to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the
quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will
receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he
himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
This speaks of our work in Christ, some will receive great rewards on
the day of judgment for their works, others as one 'escaping through
the flames'. All believers are saved apart from our works, but it
does speak of some level of reward in eternity.
But, be warned, the parable of the sheep and goats is saying that some
who think they are saved prove that they are not by their works or
lack thereof. The sheep and the goats both thought they were saved,
but the goats showed that they were not by their lack of fruit. That
wasn't what un-saved them, but rather it showed that they never knew
him. Some will say "Lord, Lord" and tell of all they did for the Lord
but will hear 'depart from me, I never knew you.'
Christ, having nothing to do with our works in any ways shape or form.
However, our life in Christ WILL be judged based on how we served
God. 1 Corinthians 3 speaks of this: 12If any man builds on this
foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,
13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it
to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the
quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will
receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he
himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
This speaks of our work in Christ, some will receive great rewards on
the day of judgment for their works, others as one 'escaping through
the flames'. All believers are saved apart from our works, but it
does speak of some level of reward in eternity.
But, be warned, the parable of the sheep and goats is saying that some
who think they are saved prove that they are not by their works or
lack thereof. The sheep and the goats both thought they were saved,
but the goats showed that they were not by their lack of fruit. That
wasn't what un-saved them, but rather it showed that they never knew
him. Some will say "Lord, Lord" and tell of all they did for the Lord
but will hear 'depart from me, I never knew you.'
Wayne
Jan 27, 2009, 2:48:49 AM1/27/09
to Southside Discussion Group
I don't believe the parable of the talents is about loss of rewards.
I believe it is about missing out on salvation. This is probably one
of the most misunderstood of all the parables, primarilly because of
the use of the word "talent". Literally, a talent was a particular
weight of gold or silver representing a certain monetary value.
Metaphorically, in the parable, it represents a valuable gift from God
entrusted to humans. But what is the gift?
I'm always surprised how many people think the gift is abilities. I
suppose this stems from confusion with our modern English word
"talent" which is a skilled ability, not a measure of weight. But if
the gift is abilities, verse 15 makes no sense. Substitute the word
abilities for talents in verse 15 and you will see -- "...he gave
abilities....each according to his own ability..." Nonsensical.
I believe the talents represent "opportunities". Opportunities to do
good, show kindness, be trustworthy, tell truth, do justice, help the
oppressed, etc. Now, verse 15 makes sense. It's reasonable to give
out "opportunities" according to each one's ability. In fact, re-read
the entire parable substituting the word "opportunities" for the word
"talents" and it all makes perfect sense.
We are not condemned (v30) for not using our "abilities", but we might
lose our salvation by continually passing up "opportunities" from God
to do good. Furthermore, taking away what little "ability" one person
has (v28) and giving it to someone else with many abilities is not
something we see happening in life. But God's removal of
"opportunities" (v29) from the slothful person who is wasting what few
he was given, and then givng those opportunities to others who will
make the most of them could very easily be happening all around us.
(Mark 4:25)
Finally, if verse 30 is not sufficient proof that the parable is about
salvation not rewards, Jesus immediately continues in verses 31-46
describing the future sheep and goat judgement which leaves little
doubt that he is warning us how to avoid eternal punishment (v46).
> > not caring enough to work to advance the kingdom of the Lord?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
I believe it is about missing out on salvation. This is probably one
of the most misunderstood of all the parables, primarilly because of
the use of the word "talent". Literally, a talent was a particular
weight of gold or silver representing a certain monetary value.
Metaphorically, in the parable, it represents a valuable gift from God
entrusted to humans. But what is the gift?
I'm always surprised how many people think the gift is abilities. I
suppose this stems from confusion with our modern English word
"talent" which is a skilled ability, not a measure of weight. But if
the gift is abilities, verse 15 makes no sense. Substitute the word
abilities for talents in verse 15 and you will see -- "...he gave
abilities....each according to his own ability..." Nonsensical.
I believe the talents represent "opportunities". Opportunities to do
good, show kindness, be trustworthy, tell truth, do justice, help the
oppressed, etc. Now, verse 15 makes sense. It's reasonable to give
out "opportunities" according to each one's ability. In fact, re-read
the entire parable substituting the word "opportunities" for the word
"talents" and it all makes perfect sense.
We are not condemned (v30) for not using our "abilities", but we might
lose our salvation by continually passing up "opportunities" from God
to do good. Furthermore, taking away what little "ability" one person
has (v28) and giving it to someone else with many abilities is not
something we see happening in life. But God's removal of
"opportunities" (v29) from the slothful person who is wasting what few
he was given, and then givng those opportunities to others who will
make the most of them could very easily be happening all around us.
(Mark 4:25)
Finally, if verse 30 is not sufficient proof that the parable is about
salvation not rewards, Jesus immediately continues in verses 31-46
describing the future sheep and goat judgement which leaves little
doubt that he is warning us how to avoid eternal punishment (v46).
>
> - Show quoted text -
Crystal
Jan 27, 2009, 11:13:12 AM1/27/09
to Southside Discussion Group
Reading this post made me think of 1 Peter 4:18 If it is hard for the
righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?
> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?
Crystal
Jan 27, 2009, 11:18:28 AM1/27/09
to Southside Discussion Group
Reading this made me think of 1 Peter 4;18-19
themselves to their faithful Creator and CONTINUE TO DO GOOD.
> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the
ungodly and the sinner?
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit
ungodly and the sinner?
themselves to their faithful Creator and CONTINUE TO DO GOOD.
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