Bob Anderson, your response to the Paul N. F. post about the book "My Dream of Heaven" where you bristle at the suggestion that our works may indeed determine our rewards and even whether or not we are able to enter heaven at all, needs a response.Please understand the difference between what Paul called deeds or works of the Law vs. deeds or works that are of faith. ( Romans 3:20. Therefore by the DEEDS OF THE LAW there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.)When Paul said we are saved by grace THROUGH faith, he did not at all suggest that faith was a passive mere mental belief that needed no action or "work" to manifest in ones life as evidence that there is faith for grace to work through. This idea that no works of any kind at all is what is meant by Paul is a gross error. He was specific in all his examples against "works" that he was focusing on works of attempts at keeping the Law or Old Testament. The New Testament still requires works but of a different focus for now it is works of faith THRUOGH which grace is bestowed (by grace THROUGH works of faith). We prove we believe by how we behave. If we say Jesus is Lord but do not obey Him, is He really our Lord? His yoke is easy but it is still a yoke. His burden is light but it is still a burden. Paul is a bondservant of the Lord and not free to do whatever he wants and call it saved by grace through faith. He said if I DO this thing willingly I have reward - not if I believe in Jesus I have reward. Paul said this: 2 Corinthians 5: 9. Wherefore we labour, (that means WORK!, Mainard G. Krebs) that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (Why didn't Paul say "Wherefore we BELIEVE, that we may be accepted?)
10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things DONE in his body, according to that he hath DONE, whether it be good or bad. (Things done not things merely believed.)Now watch how this same Paul is careful to distinguish between deeds of the law or of righteousness vs. deeds of faith:Titus 3:1... to be ready to every good work... 5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 7. That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.You see the contrast between works of righteousness according to the Law vs. good works of grace through faith? There is still works but of a different sort than in the Old Testament.For example, Gino has pointed out to us all how great a sacrifice our host here at Five Doves, John Tng has made and continues to make to keep this site going.The amount of time and effort that goes into it that only John and God really knows. This is a work that will translate to rich rewards for John in heaven. And what that quote from that book was saying (I was just telling this to my wife yesterday not having yet even seen this post until this morning so I had to respond) is very true that our daily deeds of faith and goodness will add to our rewards in heaven. Likewise, if our daily deeds are grieving the Holy Spirit this will also be affecting how things turn out for us in the end. And I believe can determine whether or not we make it in the rapture; just like that quote is saying that you so are offended by. But Jesus Himself says this in His messages to the Churches for those with ears to hear it. He is not addressing the world but His own churches with His warnings that the door may be shut and they left out.Here is the quote:"IF these were not sufficiently pure and good to form a part of this life, then we ourselves may not enter."Does not Jesus Himself say: repent, and do the first works; or else ... and for I have not found thy works perfect before God. And 15. I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot...He doesn't say I know thy beliefs but thy works... But it is works of faith, not of trying to keep the Law. God does test us to see if our faith in Him is real or not and this is where grace comes through from Him to us is through our faith but if we have no faith or if our faith is faulty and produces no actions in our life, then can that faith save us?