Topical Bible: The Reward of Saints is of Grace, Through Faith Alone

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The doctrine that the reward of saints is of grace, through faith alone, is a central tenet of Christian theology, emphasizing that salvation and eternal life are gifts from God, not earned by human effort but received through faith in Jesus Christ. This belief is rooted in the teachings of the New Testament and is a cornerstone of Protestant Reformation theology.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul articulates this doctrine clearly in his epistles. In Ephesians 2:8-9 , he writes, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." This passage underscores that salvation is a divine gift, not a human achievement, and it is accessed through faith.

Similarly, in Romans 3:23-24 , Paul states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Here, the universality of sin is contrasted with the free gift of justification, highlighting the unmerited nature of the reward for believers.

The Role of Faith

Faith is the means by which believers receive the grace of God. Hebrews 11:6 declares, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Faith is not merely intellectual assent but a trustful reliance on God and His promises.

The example of Abraham is often cited to illustrate faith's role in receiving God's promises. Romans 4:3 refers to Genesis 15:6, stating, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Abraham's faith, not his works, was the basis for his righteousness, serving as a model for all believers.

Grace as the Source of Reward

Grace, the unmerited favor of God, is the source of the saints' reward. Titus 3:5-7 explains, "He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life." This passage emphasizes that salvation is an act of divine mercy and grace, not a result of human merit.

The Assurance of Eternal Life

The reward of the saints, eternal life, is assured through faith in Christ. In John 3:16 , Jesus declares, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This promise of eternal life is a gift of grace, received through faith in the redemptive work of Christ.

Furthermore, 1 John 5:11-12 affirms, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." The possession of eternal life is contingent upon one's relationship with Jesus, underscoring the necessity of faith.

Conclusion

The doctrine that the reward of saints is of grace, through faith alone, is a profound expression of God's love and mercy. It assures believers that their salvation and eternal reward are secure, not because of their own righteousness, but because of the grace of God, accessed through faith in Jesus Christ. This truth provides comfort and hope, encouraging believers to live lives of gratitude and devotion to their Savior.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 4:4,5,16
Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 11:6
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

All of Grace
... The saints, when they come to die, never conclude ... former deservings: they are not
the reward of former ... Salvation by grace, through faith is not of ourselves in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/all of grace.htm

Of the Mass.
... by our works or pence, but from grace through faith, without money ... be troubled [the
worship of the saints will soon ... For without a reward or out of pure love no ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the smalcald articles/article ii of the mass.htm

Reply to the Arguments of the Adversaries.
... concerning honoring parents, by mention of the reward which is ... [But the saints believed.]
Wherefore ... God not with men, but by which we apprehend grace and peace ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 7 reply to the.htm

Ephesians i. 2-Jan
... when even secular men could be called "saints and faithful ... name is a sure token of
that gift of grace. ... for righteousness sake, for great is your reward in Heaven ...
/.../homily i ephesians i 2-jan.htm

The Properties of Sanctifying Grace
... Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to render to every ... "The saints
are clad ... Luther held that justifying grace is lost solely through the sin of ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 3 the properties of.htm

Prayer and Faith (Continued)
... ministry is to change unbelieving sinners into praying and believing saints. ... "By
grace are ye ... thing " it does not believe that God will reward everybody, nor ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/ii prayer and faith continued.htm

Ephesians iii. 11-Aug
... than the least." And this too was of grace, that he ... be strong to apprehend with all
the saints what is ... them that love you," saith Christ, "what reward have ye ...
/.../homily vii ephesians iii 11-aug.htm

Of Good Works.
... fasts, brotherhoods, pilgrimages, services in honor of saints, the use ... free gift
of a donor, but the reward due to ... that we should trust to merit grace by them ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/article xx of good works.htm

The First Last, and the Last First
... been grateful, you would have had your reward, may be ... himself less than the least
of all saints, and describes ... beseech you, by the thought of the grace of which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the first last and the.htm

The Boasted Merit of Works Subversive Both of the Glory of God, in ...
... Again, "The saints ascribe nothing to their merits ... life, whereas eternal life is
the reward of faith ... Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 the boasted merit.htm