Why did Jesus say he would reward every man according to his works?

Question

"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works" Matthew 16:27

I thought he would reward everyone according to whether they got saved in the Baptist church. I hear a lot of them claim they are saved already.

Answer 1

Ka-Ching!! Thumbs-up for the Good Pastor!

Epistle of James - (last time I looked, it was still a part of the "Bah-buhl" - despite Father Martin Luther's best efforts)

"Faith, without works, is dead"

Answer 2

There are two separate judgments. Believers are judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10-12). This judgment does not determine salvation, but rather is when believers must give an account of their lives to Christ. Believers are rewarded based on how faithfully they served Christ (1 Corinthians 9:4-27; 2 Timothy 2:5). The things we will likely be judged on is how well we obeyed the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), how victorious we were over sin (Romans 6:1-4), how well we controlled our tongue (James 3:1-9), etc. We will have to give an account for our actions, Romans 14:12 declares, “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Unbelievers are judged at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). This judgment does not determine salvation either. Everyone at the Great White Throne is an unbeliever and is therefore already doomed to the lake of fire.

Answer 3

A person cannot earn salvation either by doing works or by professing faith, for salvation is a free gift of God that cannot be earned or merited. This is the clear teaching of the Catholic Church. However, like any gift, salvation must be accepted in order to be received. Scripture makes it extremely clear, through multiple passages, that BOTH faith and works are the required means of accepting the free gift of salvation. Works without faith are mere humanitarianism. Faith without works is dead, unsaving faith. Works do not earn salvation. Faith does not earn salvation. But lack of faith OR lack of works will forfeit salvation. Read the last paragraph of Matthew 25. It's all about works. Faith is not even mentioned here (though the necessity of faith for salvation is clearly stated in other passages). Matt 25 describes the kinds of works we must do, and then plainly states that those who don't do such works will go to hell! How much more straightforward could this have been stated?? And James tells us that we are "justified by works, and NOT BY FAITH ALONE". Is this ambiguous to some readers?? (This of course is why Martin Luther attempted to throw the book of James out of the Bible, because this part of the Word of God directly contradicted his novel doctrinal ideas - ideas that Protestants still cling to today, in spite of their obvious unbiblical nature.)
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Answer 4

A persons good deeds will not get them in to Heaven. The only way to get there is to be saved...
God does reward a Christian for their good works AFTER they are saved. Christians want to do Gods work, help others and take care of those less fortunate.. Speaking of how I live, it is part of my daily life. I enjoy doing His work, witnessing, helping and being there for others...

Answer 5

That's a good question. We are all supposed to be equal in heaven; so how can anyone get a bigger reward than anyone else?

Answer 6

The bible says that our work is to have faith. also what pleases God is faith. I personally have a lot of trouble believing in works rewards(seems to nullify everything else). My belief is Christs works are my works and i will be rewarded as if His are mine. This sets me free from trying to please God by my works(legalism)

Answer 7

You are saved through faith, you are rewarded in heaven for what you have done for the Lord. He will test your deeds and see what motivated you to do it, if you did it out of love and for Him, you will be rewarded. If fault is found in your action, you will not be rewarded for it. Simple enough and explains itself if you take the time to actually look up what it means. It's all right in front of you.

Answer 8

There are two judgment seats; one is for non believers (the great white throne judgment), and the other will be for believers in Christ. That is the reward that Jesus is speaking of in this verse. Those who are believers in Christ will not stand at the white throne judgment. They will be before the judgment seat of Christ to receive rewards for what they did on this earth, to further His kingdom.

Answer 9

Yes, your rewards will be according to your works....PROVIDED you have been born again...and are granted eternal life through Jesus....otherwise your 'good works' are useless in God's eyes.


Rewards come from good works...but salvation is a free gift through faith in Christ alone..

Answer 10

Indeed, our works need to be given with no expectation of reward and this comes with salvation, but they still need to be given.