A Thumbnail Theology – Peter Lundell, D.Miss.
Eternal Salvation
Eternal salvation is given to all who truly repent and receive Christ as Savior and Lord, regardless of how they lived their life up to that point.
Matthew 20:1–16 – The parable of the workers in the vineyard expresses this.
Some started very early; some at 9 a.m.; some at noon; some at 3 p.m.; some at 5 p.m. The early ones complained, but the owner said they all agreed to work for the same amount. Some serve God their whole lives, while others barely get in at the end of their otherwise unbelieving life. Salvation is equally given to all.
John 3:16 – Whoever believes in God’s Son will not perish but have eternal life.
John 5:24 – Whoever hears and believes has eternal life and will not be condemned; crossed over.
Romans 1:16 – The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
Romans 6:23 – The wage of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ.
Romans 10:13 – If you confess and believe in your heart, you will be saved.
Ephesians 1:13–14 – Having believed, you were marked with the Spirit, deposit guaranteeing.
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Heavenly Reward
Heavenly reward is entirely different from salvation. It is given to believers who faithfully live out their Christian life and calling in humble obedience to God.
Matthew 25:14–30 – The parable of the talents expresses this. Some are given greater expectations than others, all based on their abilities. Christ’s concern is not about our abilities but about what we do with what we’re given. Regardless of what they started with, each servant is rewarded according to what they did with what they had. The servant who made excuses and did nothing is severely punished.
Luke 19:11–27 – The parable of the minas also expresses this. Be fruitful with what God gives you. Each servant is given the same amount. One increased it ten times and is rewarded ten-fold; another increased it five times and is rewarded five-fold; a third did nothing with what he was given and only made excuses. The master calls him wicked and takes away what he had and gave it to the one who already had the most.
Matthew 5:11–12 – Blessed . . . when people insulted, persecute, lie. Great is your reward in heaven.
Luke 6:22–23 – Blessed . . . when people hate, exclude, insult, reject. Great is your reward in heaven.
Matthew 5:19 – If you break commands > least in KH. / If you obey commands > great in KH.
Matthew 6 – Alms, prayer, fasting: Father will reward; if done publicly, you already received reward.
Mark 10:29–31 – Leave home, etc. > receive a hundred times back in this age and the age to come.
Luke 14:14 – Have a banquet, invite the poor, crippled, blind > you’ll be repaid at the resurrection.
1 Corinthians 3:8 – Each worker is rewarded according to their own labor.
1 Corinthians 3:11–15 – What we build with is tested in the furnace > rewarded accordingly.
2 Corinthians 5:10 – appear before the judgment seat of Christ, receive what is due—good or bad.
Hebrews 10:35–36 – Persevere, when you’ve done will of God, you’ll receive what he’s promised.
Hebrews 11:24–26 – Moses chose hardship and looked forward to his reward.
Hebrews 11:35 – Tortured and refused to be release so that they might gain a better resurrection.
1 John 2:28 – Continue in him so that when he appears > confident and unashamed at his coming.
2 John 1:8 – Don’t lose what you have worked for that you may will be rewarded fully.
Revelation 22:12 – I am coming, my reward is with me; I will give according to what you’ve done.
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But ironically, heavenly reward seems to go to those who do not seek it.
If you’re doing things with the intended purpose of getting a reward, the Bible doesn’t address this directly, but it does give implications.
The Pharisees were continually doing things to gain a heavenly reward. Jesus had no shortage of rebuke toward their entire way of thinking and behavior.
In the parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31–46), people are rewarded for having served the poor and unfortunate. But they are surprised at receiving a reward in heaven. They had never thought about it, and their service to Jesus was out of love and self-giving, not to receive anything.
So if you want to get rewarded, forget about getting rewarded and just serve with love. That is how the Kingdom of God, the upside-down-kingdom, works.
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Eternal Crown
Eternal “crowns” seem to relate to an esteemed identity in heaven. The whole counsel of the New Testament seems to imply that not everyone will receive one. Crowns are promised to believers who live and finish their lives of service to God well. And they are promised to those who faithfully endure trials and suffering.
Finishing a life of service well
1 Corinthians 9:25 – strict training for perishable crown; we train for a crown that will last forever.
2 Timothy 4:8 – the crown of righteousness for all who long for Christ’s appearance.
1 Peter 5:4 – when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory.
Enduring trials and suffering
James 1:12 – persevere under trial > when you stand the test, you will receive the crown of life.
Revelation 2:10 – be faithful to the point of death; you will receive the crown of life.
Revelation 3:11 – hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
