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1 Corinthians 3 ~ What is the "Reward"? -
March 21st, 2012, 07:53 PM
1 Corinthians 3
"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to babes in Christ."
The Corinthians had been immersed in the wisdom of this world (chapter 2), and Paul must address the things that are bringing division among them.
"I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly."
Paul laid the foundation of Christ Jesus, but they could not move on to the meat of the message, because they were still immersed in the things of this world.
"For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?"
They were attributing the work of God to men, and they followed these men. This led to jealousy and division.
"For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth."
ALL the glory goes to God. Paul and Apollos were simply servants of God through whom they had come to believe in God.
"So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth."
They are tools in the hand of God as He works in and through them.
"Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor."
Paul and Apollos are workers in the field. The work that they are doing is laying the foundation and building upon it. The "reward" is related to the work that they are doing in the field. One of them plants the seed, and another one waters it. Just as in crops, the same is true... If you plant a good seed, and water it, as it should be, you will have the reward of your labor. So it is here. If the seed that is being sown into the hearts of men is a good seed, and/or if it is cared for properly, they will be rewarded for their labor. The reward is that there is fruit. The fruit of the labors of Paul and Apollos is not only the souls that are saved (present tense), but also that those who are saved reach their destination (future tense).
"For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it."
Paul goes on to compare his labors as in constructing a building. He lays the foundation, and another one comes along and builds on that foundation. However, it is important how someone builds on that foundation, just as it is important how someone cares for the seed that was planted.
"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
There is only one foundation that can be built upon, and that is Jesus. As Paul just stated in the previous chapter...
"For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2
"Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work."
Whatever someone uses to build upon the foundation will be revealed, when it is tested by fire. If it remains, then the work was true, if it is burned up, then it was a dead work. It was of no benefit to the one who received it.
"If any man's work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward."
The reward is that it remained. The reward is revealed by the fire.
Because we are so "works" oriented, we think God owes us something for our labors, but it is simply that the works we have done are either revealed as having been in vain, or there was real fruit.
Just like in a building. If you had built the building with the proper materials, then when it is exposed to fire, it will remain, and the reward is in the fact that the building remains. You do not get something else because the building remains as some sort of bonus. You only did what you were called to do, and the fire proved that you were a faithful builder.
"If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire."
If the proper materials were not in use, then the building will have been destroyed, though the foundation remains, but the one who built it will suffer the loss of the reward of having the building remain. However, he will not be lost, but all his efforts will have been in vain.
There are ministers of the gospel who actually continue to bring the truth of the message of “Christ in you” to their congregations, and then there are those who do as the Judaizers did to Galatia, and add to the foundation with “perfection through the deeds of the flesh”. They probably say things like... "If you obey God, then He will give you some rewards in heaven". They are preaching a message that will not remain.
“For we must all 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.”
1 Cor 15:41-42 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead.
You are failing to note that there is a difference between gold, silver, precious stones when tried in the judgment fire of Christ.....some are more valuable than others.
Slogan/motto:
Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Reputation:
March 21st, 2012, 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Surnaturel
II Corinthians 5:10
“For we must all 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.”
1 Cor 15:41-42 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead.
You are failing to note that there is a difference between gold, silver, precious stones when tried in the judgment fire of Christ.....some are more valuable than others.
Very true.
Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
1Th 4:2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
1Th 4:4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
1Th 4:5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
1Th 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
1Th 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
1Th 4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
2Ti 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Just like in a building. If you had built the building with the proper materials, then when it is exposed to fire, it will remain, and the reward is in the fact that the building remains. .
This is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard.
There is no such thing as a fireproof building.
There are fire resistent materials, but they only keep the fire from spreading quickly.
However, there were no fire resistent building materials in the days of the Bible. Both Solomon's temple and the Second temple were burnt to the ground.
You are making stuff up because you can't stand the fact that rewards will be given in Heaven.
(Matt 16:27) For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
No matter how hard you try, the Bible is clear that rewards will be given based on what a believer does.
Explain how "value" is perceived in heaven, since there are no regrets, no envy, no coveting, etc.
(Luke 15:7) I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
As we see above, there is a value to the degree of rejoicing.
If it's possible to have "more rejoicing", then there has to be "less rejoicing" as well.
Slogan/motto:
Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Reputation:
March 21st, 2012, 08:27 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tetelestai
This is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard.
There is no such thing as a fireproof building.
There are fire resistent materials, but they only keep the fire from spreading quickly.
However, there were no fire resistent building materials in the days of the Bible. Both Solomon's temple and the Second temple were burnt to the ground.
You are making stuff up because you can't stand the fact that rewards will be given in Heaven.
(Matt 16:27) For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
No matter how hard you try, the Bible is clear that rewards will be given based on what a believer does.
This is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard.
That's because your too stupid to comprehend what Paul is saying. Paul used a "building" as the analogy, you ignorant pervert.
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There is no such thing as a fireproof building.
Who cares. Paul said that the materials the building is made of determines whether it remains or is burnt up.
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There are fire resistent materials, but they only keep the fire from spreading quickly.
Who cares.
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However, there were no fire resistent building materials in the days of the Bible. Both Solomon's temple and the Second temple were burnt to the ground.
So what, not Paul's point.
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You are making stuff up because you can't stand the fact that rewards will be given in Heaven.
I'm not making anything up. Paul said what i showed you he said, and you're a moron, so you're off on a tangent.
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No matter how hard you try, the Bible is clear that rewards will be given based on what a believer does.
"Rewards" appears no where in the Bible. YOU are the one making things up.
You don't need to worry about it anyway, because God is going to "reward" you with the lake of fire, and you are not fireproof
(Heb 11:6) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Slogan/motto:
Mat 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Reputation:
March 21st, 2012, 08:36 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by tetelestai
Those who are in Heaven right now have their rewards.
Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. Rev 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Rev 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
(Heb 11:6) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
What an idiot. Nice try. That is a verb, you pervert.
Explain how "value" is perceived in heaven, since there are no regrets, no envy, no coveting, etc.
Value in heaven is experiencing God more intimately.
No regrets, no envy, no lust, no pain are all God's gift of eternal life for believers, but there is a stratification of the dead in which some stars shine brighter than others.
Value in heaven is experiencing God more intimately.
How is it perceived, if you are content? I know you won't understand that, but I mostly expect I'm talking to morons on this site anyway.
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No regrets, no envy, no lust, no pain are all God's gift of eternal life for believers, but there is a stratification of the dead in which some stars shine brighter than others.
What an idiot. Nice try. That is a verb, you pervert.
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