Rewards

[Moriah]

From dictionary.com:

gift: something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone, honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance; present.

synonyms: donation, contribution, offering, benefaction, endowment, bounty, boon, largess, alms, gratuity, tip, premium, allowance, subsidy, bequest, legacy, inheritance, dowry.

reward: something given or received in return or recompense for service, merit, hardship, etc.

synonyms: desert, pay, remuneration; requital; bounty, premium, bonus.

I don't see them as synonyms at all.

http://thesaurus.com/browse/gift


gift  

Part of Speech: noun

Definition: something given freely, for no recompense

Synonyms: allowance, alms, award, benefaction, benefit, bequest, bestowal, bonus, boon, bounty, charity, contribution, courtesy, dispensation, donation, endowment, fairing, favor, giveaway, goodie, grant, gratuity, hand, hand-me-down, handout, honorarium, lagniappe, largesse, legacy, libation, oblation, offering, offertory, philanthropy, pittance, premium, present, presentation, provision, ration, relief, remembrance, remittance, reward, souvenir, subscription, subsidy, tip, token, tribute, write-off

Antonyms: forfeit, loss, penalty

 

[Moriah]

From the scriptures, I see that the gift, the reward, the inheritance, the treasure, the crown, the prize, and the promise…it is all eternal life in the kingdom of God.

 

[DHK]

From the scriptures, I see that the gift, the reward, the inheritance, the treasure, the crown, the prize, and the promise…it is all eternal life in the kingdom of God.

Words have different meanings. One word can't be inclusive of all meanings all the time. For example the word "church."
The word "church" is never used as a building in the Bible, yet it is commonly used that way in our English language. It is a viable meaning of the word.
Church = building, assembly, denomination, universal church, specific gathering of people, etc.
Its meaning is dependent on the context in which it is used.

Reward does not mean gift. You list a number of synonyms. But they are not all the same. You can't pick and choose according to a pre-determined theology. Look at some of the words in your list:
reward, crown, prize.
--These are things that one strives for, works for, etc.
An athlete puts much work and training into winning the prize. It takes effort, work. Not so with the gift of eternal life.
To win the prize takes effort. Not so with eternal life.
To obtain a reward, one needs effort. Not so with eternal life.

Eternal life is a gift. It is to be received freely with no conditions attached. It is not a reward; not a prize; not a crown, etc. It cannot be worked for. It is free.

 

[DHK]

Matthew 19:21 Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

And have you done that? What third world nations that have never heard the gospel have you been to? Did you sell everything you had to get there and then invest it in getting the gospel to them.

I await your answer Moriah. Have you obeyed Jesus in this matter. If you haven't you will not enter the kingdom of heaven, nor have treasure in heaven, according to your theology.

 

[annsni]

http://thesaurus.com/browse/gift


gift  

Part of Speech: noun

Definition: something given freely, for no recompense

Synonyms: allowance, alms, award, benefaction, benefit, bequest, bestowal, bonus, boon, bounty, charity, contribution, courtesy, dispensation, donation, endowment, fairing, favor, giveaway, goodie, grant, gratuity, hand, hand-me-down, handout, honorarium, lagniappe, largesse, legacy, libation, oblation, offering, offertory, philanthropy, pittance, premium, present, presentation, provision, ration, relief, remembrance, remittance, reward, souvenir, subscription, subsidy, tip, token, tribute, write-off

Antonyms: forfeit, loss, penalty

I would disagree with many of those synonyms. Subscription is a gift? Pittance? Handout? I don't think so.

Reward is given in response to something - a gift is just that - given with no strings attached. Big difference.

 

[fortytworc]

What more would one want?

Not like how the Calvinists believe, for the plan for salvation was predestined before the creation of the world, and of course, God knows who would accept.

I have searched the scriptures and do not see any reward besides eternal life in the kingdom of God. What more would one want?

"What more would one want?"
I can agree with this. When all is said and done just being in the actual, physical presence of Our God will be quite enough.
(Ps 84:10 [KJV])
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

 

[DHK]

From the scriptures, I see that the gift, the reward, the inheritance, the treasure, the crown, the prize, and the promise…it is all eternal life in the kingdom of God.

You have no assurance do you?
How will you know when you have worked enough, strived enough, endured enough, to win the prize, to attain the crown that comes at the end of the race? It is only given to those that endure, that work, that strive? How will you ever know when you have done enough to enter into his kingdom? Or will you?
That is the question!

 

[annsni]

You have no assurance do you?
How will you know when you have worked enough, strived enough, endured enough, to win the prize, to attain the crown that comes at the end of the race? It is only given to those that endure, that work, that strive? How will you ever know when you have done enough to enter into his kingdom? Or will you?
That is the question!
[/SIZE]

See, that kind of thinking goes completely against what the Scriptures say - that we can KNOW we are saved. That's sad. I would never want to go through life wondering "Am I a child of God or not?" Instead I go through life saying "I AM a child of God and because of that, I'm going to love Him and please Him in all that I do just because I love Him." My name is engraved in the palm of His hand. It is permanent. Period.

 

[Moriah]

Words have different meanings. One word can't be inclusive of all meanings all the time. For example the word "church."
The word "church" is never used as a building in the Bible, yet it is commonly used that way in our English language. It is a viable meaning of the word.
Church = building, assembly, denomination, universal church, specific gathering of people, etc.
Its meaning is dependent on the context in which it is used.

Reward does not mean gift. You list a number of synonyms. But they are not all the same. You can't pick and choose according to a pre-determined theology. Look at some of the words in your list:
reward, crown, prize.
--These are things that one strives for, works for, etc.
An athlete puts much work and training into winning the prize. It takes effort, work. Not so with the gift of eternal life.
To win the prize takes effort. Not so with eternal life.
To obtain a reward, one needs effort. Not so with eternal life.

Eternal life is a gift. It is to be received freely with no conditions attached. It is not a reward; not a prize; not a crown, etc. It cannot be worked for. It is free.
[/SIZE]

The type of work that we do not have to do to for Jesus to save us is circumcision, external ceremonial washings, observance of special days, sin offerings, and sacrifices. Those things people had to do just to worship God. We do not have to do those things anymore, but we still have to do what Jesus says. We can admit sin and we can desire to stop. We can try to do all that we can to obey Jesus’ teachings. God who knows our hearts will give His Holy Spirit when He accepts us.

 

[Moriah]

I would disagree with many of those synonyms. Subscription is a gift? Pittance? Handout? I don't think so.

Reward is given in response to something - a gift is just that - given with no strings attached. Big difference.

God gives salvation to those He chooses. God chooses those who believe and are sorry for their sins and who want to be reconciled to Him more than they want anything else.
God can give the gift to whomever He wants to. If you gave a gift to someone, would you at least think they would want it and would cherish it?

 

[Moriah]

See, that kind of thinking goes completely against what the Scriptures say - that we can KNOW we are saved. That's sad. I would never want to go through life wondering "Am I a child of God or not?" Instead I go through life saying "I AM a child of God and because of that, I'm going to love Him and please Him in all that I do just because I love Him." My name is engraved in the palm of His hand. It is permanent. Period.

Where do you get that I do not believe we can know we are saved? I know Jesus saved me, and I know I will never lose my salvation. Everyone had better know that they are saved. You say you are a child of God and you are going to love Him and please Him…however, some people here teach there is nothing we have to do, and that we are still saved. That is a false belief and a dangerous teaching. It could also be a hindrance for someone wanting Jesus to save them to tell them all they have to do is believe and not have to do anything else.

 

[DHK]

God gives salvation to those He chooses. God chooses those who believe and are sorry for their sins and who want to be reconciled to Him more than they want anything else.
God can give the gift to whomever He wants to. If you gave a gift to someone, would you at least think they would want it and would cherish it?

Abraham did not do anything that pleased God (as far as his salvation was concerned). The only thing that was pleasing to God was Abraham's faith.

Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
--It was Abraham's faith that saved him; Abraham's faith that gave him a standing of righteousness before God, not his works.

In fact, the Bible says that Abraham's works could not justify him.
Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
--He could boast of them. But to God they were just like filthy rags.

God gives the gift of eternal life to those who believe on him, on his sacrifice, by faith. Their works count for nothing.

 

[DHK]

Where do you get that I do not believe we can know we are saved? I know Jesus saved me, and I know I will never lose my salvation. Everyone had better know that they are saved. You say you are a child of God and you are going to love Him and please Him…however, some people here teach there is nothing we have to do, and that we are still saved. That is a false belief and a dangerous teaching. It could also be a hindrance for someone wanting Jesus to save them to tell them all they have to do is believe and not have to do anything else.

What did the thief on the cross have to do?
How many good works did he do?

 

[DHK]

The type of work that we do not have to do to for Jesus to save us is circumcision, external ceremonial washings, observance of special days, sin offerings, and sacrifices. Those things people had to do just to worship God.

Those things didn't save them. Faith in God did. Ask Abraham.

We do not have to do those things anymore, but we still have to do what Jesus says. We can admit sin and we can desire to stop.

Admitting to sin and desiring to stop won't save you. Only Christ can save.

We can try to do all that we can to obey Jesus’ teachings. God who knows our hearts will give His Holy Spirit when He accepts us.

You can't try. You either obey or you don't.
Even then, obedience doesn't save. Faith in Christ is what saves.

 

[Moriah]

"What more would one want?"
I can agree with this. When all is said and done just being in the actual, physical presence of Our God will be quite enough.
(Ps 84:10 [KJV])
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

I was thinking of that scripture too. The more one deals with sin in their life, the easier it is to relate to that scripture.

 

[Moriah]

Abraham did not do anything that pleased God (as far as his salvation was concerned). The only thing that was pleasing to God was Abraham's faith.

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,

Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
--It was Abraham's faith that saved him; Abraham's faith that gave him a standing of righteousness before God, not his works.

That is about works of the law, like circumcision. It is wrong to think it is ever okay to sin. It is wrong to think it is ever okay to go against God.
James 2:22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.
James 2:20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
--He could boast of them. But to God they were just like filthy rags.

The filthy rags scripture is to the Jews who believed in God but kept sinning; their righteous acts were as filthy rags.

 

[Moriah]

What did the thief on the cross have to do?
How many good works did he do?

The thief on the cross did many things for Jesus to save him. He believed in Jesus. He humbled himself. He was sorry for his sins. He confessed.

 

[DHK]

Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,

That is about works of the law, like circumcision. It is wrong to think it is ever okay to sin. It is wrong to think it is ever okay to go against God.
James 2:22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.
James 2:20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

You fail to understand the book of James--a book dealing with practical Christianity.
There are no works mentioned in this verse:

Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
--Abraham believed God. There is not one word said about works of any kind. Why are you reading into the Scripture things that are not there? Deal with the Scripture that is there.

The filthy rags scripture is to the Jews who believed in God but kept sinning; their righteous acts were as filthy rags.

Again, you fail to deal with Scripture. It is a Scripture that is applicable to all mankind. Or do you toss out the entire OT? A man's righteousness, no matter who he is, is as filthy rags in the sight of God. God does not accept it unless it is greater than the righteousness of the Pharisees. When he said that he meant that he had to have the righteousness of Christ. That is the only righteousness that God will accept. All other righteousness is as filthy rags.

 

[DHK]

The thief on the cross did many things for Jesus to save him. He believed in Jesus. He humbled himself. He was sorry for his sins. He confessed.

Were you there?

 

[Moriah]

Those things didn't save them. Faith in God did. Ask Abraham.

God tested Abraham. Abraham’s faith and actions were working together.

Admitting to sin and desiring to stop won't save you. Only Christ can save.

Do you really think that God is going to choose to save you if you are not sorry for your sins and you hate Him?

You can't try. You either obey or you don't.

You are wrong.

Even then, obedience doesn't save. Faith in Christ is what saves.

You leave out many words of God when you teach others they do not have to do anything. It is also harmful.

Acts 15:8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.

Acts 1:24 Then they prayed, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen

Acts 5:32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

John 14:23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.

DHK, what do you think those forceful men are getting forceful about?