Rewards and Heaven

 

As Christians, we believe that we are solely able to go to Heaven based on our faith.  We are saved solely through the grace of God.  This means that we believe that God has given us a "free gift" and if we choose to take it, it's not based on our works here on Earth.  Our "works" can't get us into Heaven, because we cannot earn our way into Heaven.  Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast of himself."
"So then, grace, that is to say, the gift of God, and faith, do stand one with another, to which these two are contrary, To be saved by ourselves, or by our works.  Therefore, what mean they which would join together things of such contrary nature?"  --Matthew Henry Commentary

Now, while we as Christians do not have to EARN our way into Heaven, we do believe that our works have everything to do with our REWARD once we get there.  Jesus in John 9:4-5 says: "I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work.  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 
The works of Christ are as it were a light, which lighten the darkness of the world.  By (day) is meant the lights, that is, the light some, doctrine of the heavenly truth: and by (night) is meant the darkness which cometh by the obscurity of the same doctrine. ---Matthew Henry Commentary
We cannot earn our salvation through our works, but the reward does come THROUGH our works.  It doesn't even have to be our "works" but also I believe it can be our attitude, the way we talk to people, and the way we live our lives.  Not just if we do chores, good works, etc.  The Christian view of Heaven sees it as a place where rewards are distributed to the saints in accordance with the nature of their lives here on earth. 

According to God's laws, all our sins are the same.  It doesn't matter how bad it seems here on Earth, all our sins are the same.  It doesn't matter how bad it seems here on earth, all sin is equal to God.  So while we think telling white lies isn't that bad, versus having extramarital relations is the worst, it is all the same in God's eyes.  James 2:10-11 says "For whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet faileth in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Thou shalt not commit adultery, said also, Thou shalt not kill. Now though thou doest none adultery, yet if thou killest, thou art a transgressor of the Law." 
Romans 3:10, 23-25 "10. As it is written, there is none righteous no not one. 23. For there is no difference: for all have sinned, and are deprived of the glory of god, and are justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Whom God hath set forth to be a reconciliation through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness by the forgiveness of the sins that are passed." 
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death: but the fit of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." (The commentary on this verse says: Death is the punishment due to sin, but we are sanctified freely, unto life everlasting.). 
Acts 10:34 "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth O perceive, that God is no respecter of persons." The distinction of nations is taken away by the coming of Christ: And it is evidently seen by faith and righteousness, who is agreeable to him, or whom He accepteth. That God judgeth not after the outward appearance (but rather on what goes on in the heart.) --Matthew Henry Commentary

Therefore, while we are all sinners of the worst kind in God's eyes, by receiving the free gift of Christ's death (which paid the penalty of all our sins), those sins are washed away in the blood. Whether we do good works on earth or not, makes no difference to our salvation. 

Jesus said that there will be rewards in Heaven: Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed shall ye be when men revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you for my sake, falsely.  Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in Heaven: for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you."
Matthew 6:1-6 "Take heed that ye give not your alms before men to be seen of them, or else ye shall have no reward of your Father which is in Heaven. Therefore, when thou givest thing alms, thou shall not make a trumpet to be blown before thee, as the hypocrites do in the Synagogues and in the streets, to be praised of men.  Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward. But when thou doest thine alms, let not thy left hand know what the right hand doeth, That thine alms may be in secret, and they Father that seeth in secret, He will reward thee openly.  And when thou prayest, be not as the hypocrites: for the love to stand and pray in the Synagogues, and in the corners of the streets, because they would be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But when thou prayers, enter into thy chamber: and when thou has shut thy door, pray unto thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."
Matthew 6:16-18 "Moreover, when ye fast, look not sour as the hypocrites: for they disfigure their faces, that they might seem unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you that they have their reward.  But when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face, That thou seem not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret, will reward thee openly."
Matthew 6:19-20 "Lay not up treasure for yourselves upon the earth, where the moth and canker corrupt, and where thieves dig through and steal. But lay up treasures for yourselves in Heaven, where neither the moth nor canker corrupteth, and where thieves neither dig through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

From these verses, it is clear that there are rewards in Heaven for each of us who are saved.  These verses are from Jesus admonishing us to not forsake our Heavenly reward by seeking worldly rewards and worldly acknowledgment. 

Jesus, however, does say that there are degrees of rewards in Heaven Matthew 16:27: "For the son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his Angels, and then shall he give to every man according to his deeds."

Even Paul shows us this in Romans 2:5-6. 
So, according to the scriptures, God does not render salvation according to the works, but rather He renders reward according to our works. Paul wrote in Corinthians: 1 Corinthians 3:11-17: For other foundation can no man lay, than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. And if any man build on this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, timber, hay, or stubble. Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by the fire: and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  If any m an's works, that he hath built upon, abide, he shall receive wages. If any man's work burn, he shall lose, but he shall be saved himself: nevertheless yet as it were by the fire.  Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man destroy the Temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the Temple of God is holy, which ye are." 

Solomon also says something about rewards being given in degrees. Proverbs 24:12 "If thou say, Behold, we knew not of it: he that pondereth in the hearts, doth not he understand it? And he that keepeth thy soul, knoweth he is not? will he not also recompense every man according to his works?" 
Jesus, Paul, and Solomon are reflecting the heart of God when they tell us we will be saved by His work and rewarded by our work. 

How can you earn rewards? Daniel 12:3 says: "And they that be wise,, shall shine, as the brightness of the firmament: and they that turn many to righteousness, shall shine as the stars, forever and ever."
Daniel using the word "many" when describing the number of people we might bring to Christ, means that there will be many, compared to few.  Daniel could have said "few" but he didn't.  He said "Many". 

By earning rewards we will be joyful to give them to the Lord and serve Him for the remainder of our days.  

If you have any thoughts I'd love to hear them in the comments below!
Thanks a lot for reading!
~Charity - Soaring Hummingbird