Rewards in heaven. I hope to have some, but the idea of rewards in heaven is difficult to fit into my theology. My mother used to say, “As long as I make it, I don’t care if I am riding a tricycle.”

Christ taught that there will be rewards in heaven. Each person will receive a certain “bonus” according to his deeds. Listen to this:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21 19)

 What do we do with this? If I was in the hearing of Christ at this time, I would have asked him some questions:

1. “Jesus, how do we get these rewards?”

2. “Jesus, I thought that redemption—everlasting life—was our reward. Are you saying that we are going to have rewards on top of this reward? A ‘heavenly bonus’?”

3. “Jesus, does everyone receive the same rewards?”

Finally, assuming that I know the answer to these first two (which I think I do), I would ask one final question:

4. “Jesus, what is the decisive cause of these rewards, our works or your grace?”

If it is of grace then it is not of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace (Rom. 11:6). Therefore the answer to the first question would have to be “good deeds.” The context to this statement in Matt. 6 is not seeking the rewards of men by pridefully praying or putting on a long face while fasting in public to be seen as holy. Do all things in secret “and your father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (v. 18). This implies that there will be rewards in addition to eternal life. That takes care of question two.

In answer to question three is easy. That everyone does not get the same amount of rewards is evident. Not only does the passage above necessarily imply this, Luke 19 and the parable of the minas teaches us as much also. As well, Paul instructs us telling the Corinthians that there will be a time of reckoning for our rewards. At this time, some people’s rewards works will be tested and found wanting. Though their salvation is secure, some people’s rewards will be lost. (i.e. They will not get much of a bonus).

“Now if any man builds on 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. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Cor. 3:12-15)

This would include those people who fast and pray for the praise of men. Their heavenly reward will be burned up, though their life is secure in God. 

How do I fit this into my theology? Continue Reading »

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As many of you already know, I love Chuck Swindoll. Thoughts of him always reignite a passion for the Gospel. His example and leadership have stablized me many times as I stumbled on the evangelical road.

In 1993, living a dichotomist life of bar-hopping, womanizing, and Sunday night church attending (just before Sunday night penny beer at the Dugout!), I caught his radio series every morning on the way to work at the Copy Stop in down town Oklahoma City. Grace Awakening. That was the name of the series God used to ignite my soul. Of course, it was not the program itself, but what Chuck was teaching. Grace. Not sure I had ever understood it before. At least my ears were not attune to it until then. Grace. If what Chuck said was true, I was missing much of the Gospel and the character of God.

What is grace?

It is told that during a meeting on comparative religions in Britain that many scholars gathered together to discuss what, if anything, was unique to Christianity. Many different elements were discussed and debated. Was Christianity unique because of its concept of truth? No, other religions have this. Was it unique because of the doctrine of reconciliation? No, other religions have this. Was it unique in terms of inspiration of a particular book? No, again, other religions have this. It is told that C.S. Lewis entered the room during the debate and asked what the discussion was all about. “We are discussing what makes Christianity unique, if anything.” “That’s easy” Lewis responded, “its grace.” Continue Reading »

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I have someone who is very close to me who will not be broken. I don’t really know how I desire him to be broken, but conversations with him are always very frustrating. Maybe I want to crack his head open and see what is inside, to gaze where only God can see . . . I don’t know. What I want to know is Does he really know Christ? My heart says “I hope” but my mind says “It can’t be.”

If you were to look at the life of this friend—his entire life—you would not suspect that he has ever broached the throne room of God. You would not expect that he has ever humbly bowed at the cross, understanding his own condition or the power of its shadow. I have never seen him read his Bible and I have never heard him honor Christ with his words. His life is one of constant pursuit of what the world has to offer and it completely controls his emotional state. Comforting him with spiritual talk is useless as you will get the gaze of ridicule and quickly share in the humility of having your conversation cut short by awkward silence.

Yet, when push comes to shove, this guy will give you his testimony. Every once in a while he will tell you why you don’t need to be worried about his spiritual condition. He will confidently tell you of the time when he was twelve years old and walked the aisle at Church to accept the Gospel. Once his tale is complete, he has exhausted his ability to have a spiritual conversation and the awkward silence ensues.

Is this guy saved? Can it be that he truly walked the aisle so long ago and has not flexed a spiritual muscle since? Why is he so secure in his salvation? Continue Reading »

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I live with the fear that Chuck Swindoll will call me into his office. Wait, I am getting ahead of myself . . . 

January 2000. I have just been hired as an intern at Stonebriar Community Church. I still have a year left at Dallas Theological Seminary, but my excitement is far beyond I could have ever imagined six years ago when I began to think about ministry. My life had not been one of a minister in preparation by any means. At least not what I would think. The constant adrenaline that the idea of full-time service for the Lord was enough to keep my mind off my past failures. Watching Braveheart in 1995 seventeen times at the theater fueled my motivation. I thought to myself If I could just give my life for something bigger than myself like William Wallace did then contentment would be found in sacrifice. This was the road I was on. Excited, motivated, hopeful, and ready to change lives, I was now working for Chuck Swindoll, my hero. Continue Reading »

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Most of you did not know, but I am at Camp Kanakuk in Branson MO this week speaking. It is their family camp. I am teaching for five days on grace. I started Tuesday introducing the need for grace in our postmodern culture. I then defined grace from a biblical perspective. Yesterday we began what we will try to conclude today: “How do we give grace to others.” Oh, how hard this is. It is really hitting home for all of us. As I told the group of 25 families, I just don’t feel comfortable teaching this anymore. I am really good at receiving grace, but I have such a hard time giving it. I defined people who are “un-gracious” as those who spend their time criticising others, especially those who they are closest to. Ouch! God forgive me for teaching on a subject that I fail at so consistently. Continue Reading »

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Question/Answers Segment: Law/Gospel: How do we square the teachings of Christ on the Sermon on the Mount with the Old Testament Law and the Paul’s teaching of Grace? Thanks Ron Quiggins!

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Considering the blog about God’s purpose for creating us, I thought that I would remind everyone (including myself) not to forget to enjoy life. If I am right, and God’s purpose for creating us was to share of Himself and our purpose in life is, in turn, to glorify Him, I believe that He desires for us to enjoy life. Continue Reading »

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I think the most well know passage of Scripture these days is no longer the “For God so loved the world…” of John 3:16, but the “Judge not, least you be judged” of Matthew 7:1. When are Christians to judge and when are they to refrain? This is a difficult question, but I think the answer comes in the type of judgment that Christians are to avoid. Continue Reading »

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I have been asked this quite a few times over the years and the issue was brought up again recently. Can homosexuals be Christians? Or, better, is there such a thing as a homosexual Christian. Many would believe that someone who engages in a homosexual life style is necessarily excluded from the Kingdom of God unless they repent. Repentance here would mean a change of thinking about and, shortly following, action to change this lifestyle. In other words, while some would be willing to say that a homosexual can be saved, their salvation guarantees their change of lifestyle within a short period of time. Continue Reading »

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It is told that during a meeting on comparative religions in Britain that many scholars gathered together to discuss what, if anything, was unique to Christianity. Many different elements were discussed and debated. Was Christianity unique because of its concept of truth? No, other religions have this. Was it unique because of the doctrine of reconciliation? No, other religions have this. Was it unique in terms of inspiration of a particular book? No, again, other religions have this. It is told that C.S. Lewis entered the room during the debate and asked what the discussion was all about. “We are discussing what makes Christianity unique, if anything.” “That’s easy” Lewis responded, “its grace.”

What is grace? If it is the primary element that separates Christianity from all other world religions (and I believe that it along with the doctrine of the Trinity is), all Christians should have a deep understanding of it, along with the ability to articulate it in a accurate way. Let’s start with this working definition: “Grace is the gift of God that is not deserved, cannot be earned, and cannot be paid back.”

The word grace comes from the Greek charis which means “a beneficent disposition to someone” (BDAG). From it comes charisma, the Greek word for “gift.” When we talk about people being “charismatic,” we mean that they are gifted. Theologically, while the term does not occur many times in the Gospels, Paul develops the Christian understanding of grace from his understanding of the acts of God through Christ Jesus. It is a free gift that God offers in exchange for nothing other than a willing hand of reception. Broadly speaking God’s grace is seen in creation (He gave us life for free), in providential provision (He sustains the world for free), and in salvation (He offers to those who have turned against Him reconciliation for free). While other religions may have love, they do not have unconditional grace as the avenue for the expression of that love. Grace can be thought of as the wings of God’s love. It is the path that His love walks. Other religions have this word but none of them define it unconditionally. In other religions, in order to acquire the love of God or His favor one may have to do any number of religious deeds and acts of righteousness in order to be deserving. But from the Christian worldview “grace” and “deserving” are antithetical. As Paul says to the Romans: “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace” (11:6). In other words, “If it [salvation] is a gift, it cannot be paid for by any means, otherwise it is not really a gift, but what is deserved.” Let me illustrate. Christmas has just passed. My three year old son Will received a Christmas present from his mother and I. It was a new Superman figure pillow. What if upon receiving this present, he went upstairs to his room, broke open his piggy bank, and proceeded to pay us for this? You are right. You would say that it was a gift, and you don’t pay for a gift. Well, what if he sorted through the quarters, dimes, and nickels and found a penny. One cent. That is not much. What if he said, just take this one penny for this Superman? We would sit down with him and say “Will, you must understand. Mommy and Daddy gave you that as a gift. If we were to accept any money or payment of any kind, even one cent, it would not be a gift. You don’t have to pay us for this. You don’t have to clean your room for this. You don’t have to eat all your dinner for this. And if you fail or mess up in any way we are not going to take this back. It is a gift.” In most cultures, when you attempt to pay for a gift, it is very insulting. It is the same when it comes to God’s gift of salvation. If we attempt or believe that we can pay for this gift that He offers, we insult Him by calling His character and sincerity into question. We are in essence saying “I don’t really believe you. You are probably an Indian giver. I had better do something to make sure that you don’t take this back.” But God’s give of salvation is antithetical to any type of payment.

Neither is this gift of salvation a “lay-away” option. We don’t pay God back in increments for the gift. Again, if this were the case, it would not really be a gift. It might be kind of God to give us this “loan,” but if it is paid back in any way, it cannot be called a gift. This type of “lay-away salvation” does not even fit into the semantic range of the Christian concept.

Therefore, we must understand that we did not do anything to deserve God’s favor, we cannot do anything to earn it, and we cannot pay it back. All we can do is humbly accept it. Indeed, when understood in such a way, grace is truly a unique element to Christianity.

Sadly, I believe that because grace is so amazing, people never really get it. They either subscribe to the cheap payment idea or the lay-away option. Why? I don’t know, but I have my suspicions. I think most people probably just think that true grace is too good to be true. They don’t really experience it in their day-to-day living. Our world works off of loans, payment plans, lay-aways, and expectations based on a job-well-done mentality. As a consequence I believe that most never understand or experience the full benefits of salvation and never are able to serve God truly motivated by His love.

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Scot McKnight has a interesting post today in answer to someone’s question. I can assume from the answer (since the question is not posted) that the question has to do with where the Emerging Church fits into the Evangelical movement. This is a really good question that I have thought about quite a bit lately. I really enjoyed reading his post (as I always do) and I wanted to comment on one paragraph.    Continue Reading »

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John Wesley and George Whitefield were good friends in the 18th century. Both were instrumental in the first Great Awakening, a revival of the Gospel that swept the American landscape bringing renewed commitment to the Christian faith. Both were traveling speakers on the circuit ride. Continue Reading »

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It has come to my attention recently that my busy work with my duties at RMM have caused be to become careless and somewhat callused regarding my relationships. I have the privilege of working with and serving many people who love the Lord very dearly. Each day, most of my conversations have Christ or some aspect of Christianity forming a presupposed backdrop to everything we say (as always, waiting for applause to cease). Continue Reading »

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Thus begins a humble exegesis of U2’s song lyrics by the most capable of all U2 fans. I will start with the latest works and progress backwards into the eighties. Bono, the lead singer and song writer of U2, will be the subject of exegesis. I will attempt to utilize an authorial intent hermeneutic in my interpretation. While this is not official, I just don’t think it can get any better than this. Humbly, Michael Patton.  Continue Reading »

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