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The Apostle, St.Paul, explains, “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Cor 9:27). Here the prize is salvation, as is clear from the preceding verses. Saint Paul follows a disciplined life because he knows that there is a possibility that he might forfeit the salvation that he preaches. For this reason, in the very next chapter, Paul encourages the Christians in Corinth to do the same: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall” (1 Cor 10:12). The “fall” here is the “fall from grace” spoken about by Paul in Galatians 5:4. Interestingly enough, the warning about falling from grace in Galatians 5:4 is immediately followed up by Paul’s exhortation to have “faith working through love” in Galatians 5:6.

Since the Apostle believes that one might fall from grace, he elsewhere encourages the Christians in Philippi to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil 2:12). Here again we see Paul’s emphasis on a “faith working through love” (Gal 5:6). We are to work out our salvation. While it is a gift, it requires our effort. If you receive the gift of a bicycle, it is worthless until you actually get on the bike and start peddling. If the giver of the gift saw the bicycle leaning against the wall in your garage covered in dust, he would be offended. The giver wanted the recipient to enjoy cycling, but this intention was never realized. The same is true of salvation. The gift of salvation has been given to us so that we can be conformed to the image of His Son (Rom 8:29). This is a profound honor. We are called not only to believe in Christ, but also to become like Christ. We participate in the life of Christ. It is for this reason that we are called Christians. This means that our life is characterized by acts pertaining to faith, hope, and charity (1 Cor 13:13). When we willingly break the bond our bond of charity with Christ, we fall from grace.

from: pauliscatholic.com

 

 

 

 

consider this warning Paul gave: "See then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off" (Rom. 11:22)

Original Post

Hi David,

 

The article you copy/pasted (with no credit to the original writer) tells us:

 

The Apostle, St.Paul, explains, “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Cor 9:27).  Here the prize is salvation, as is clear from the preceding verses.  Saint Paul follows a disciplined life because he knows that there is a possibility that he might forfeit the salvation that he preaches.

 

Both you, and your mystery writer, are confusing "eternal salvation" with "eternal rewards."  Eternal salvation is what we obtain the moment we, by grace through faith, believe and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

 

Eternal rewards are what we believers will receive or lose, in varying degrees, at the Believers' Judgment during the seven year Tribulation after the church has been raptured into heaven.

 

So, there is a major difference between "eternal salvation" which we cannot earn, but is a gift from God for all who will believe and receive His "paid in full" gift of eternal life.   That we cannot work to gain -- and "eternal rewards" we must work to earn, after we become believers, and after the Rapture.

 

Here is a good article from the Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society, Spring 1996 -- Volume 9:16, which will better explain those differences:


The Biblical Distinction Between Eternal Salvation And Eternal Rewards:  A Key to Proper Exegesis
By  Bob Wilkin,  Executive Director -  Grace Evangelical Society
http://www.faithalone.org/journal/1996i/Wilkin.html

A. Distorting the Gospel Message

If passages like 1 Cor 9:24-27 and Phil 3:11-14 refer to obtaining eternal salvation, then believers must work to obtain it:


"Run in such a way that you may obtain it."   1 Cor 9:24

"I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."   1 Cor 9:27

"I press toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  Phil 3:14

 

However, we know from many NT passages that this is not the case.  Eternal salvation is absolutely free to the recipient (John 4:10; Rom 3:24; 4: 3-8; Eph 2:9; Rev 22:17).  Jesus paid the whole price.  We pay nothing.  We are saved the moment we believe Jesus’ promise to give eternal life to all who trust Him for it (John 5:24; 6:47).

Unlike eternal salvation, eternal rewards are not free.  They are earned by work done.  Paul said in 2 Cor 5:10 that "all [believers] must appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

 

Similarly, the Lord Jesus said the He will "reward each according to his works" (Matt 16:27, emphasis added).  Eternal salvation is not "according to what [one] has done" and is not "according to [one’s] works."

In some places eternal salvation and eternal rewards are contrasted in the same paragraph.  For example, in 1 Cor 3:14-15 Paul said: "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."

 

The unproductive believer is saved even though his works are burned up.  However, if a believer’s works endure the test of fire, then in addition he will be rewarded.  Compare also Rom 14:8-12; 2 Tim 2:11-13; Rev 22:14-17.

Since eternal rewards are not the same as eternal salvation, there is no contradiction of the Gospel in passages conditioning eternal rewards on perseverance in good works.

To understand passages like 1 Cor 9:24-27 and Phil 3:11-14 as being Gospel passages is to distort the Gospel by suggesting that ongoing good works are a requirement for obtaining eternal salvation.

 

So, my Friend, eternal salvation we cannot lose (John 6:47, John 10:28-29) -- but, eternal rewards we can lose.

 

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

 

Bill

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