Salvation

Salvation in the Christian faith is the deliverance from sin and its consequences, brought about by faith in Jesus Christ. It is a central theme in the Bible, emphasizing God's grace and mercy towards humanity. The concept of salvation is rooted in the understanding that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The need for salvation arises from the separation between God and humanity due to sin, and the subsequent need for reconciliation.

The Bible presents salvation as a gift from God, not earned by works but received through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "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 underscores the belief that salvation is an act of divine grace, accessible to all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

The process of salvation involves several key elements: repentance, faith, justification, and sanctification. Repentance is the acknowledgment of sin and the turning away from it, as seen in Acts 3:19 : "Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away." Faith is the trust in Jesus Christ and His redemptive work on the cross, as highlighted in John 3:16 : "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."

Justification is the act of being declared righteous before God, made possible through the sacrifice of Jesus. Romans 5:1 explains, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Sanctification is the ongoing process of being made holy, set apart for God's purposes, as believers grow in their faith and likeness to Christ.

Reward

In the Christian doctrine, rewards are often associated with the faithful service and obedience of believers. While salvation is a free gift, rewards are seen as the result of faithful living and stewardship of the gifts and opportunities God provides. The Bible speaks of rewards both in this life and in the life to come.

Jesus frequently taught about rewards in His parables and teachings. In Matthew 6:19-20 , He instructs, "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 moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." This passage highlights the eternal nature of heavenly rewards compared to the temporary nature of earthly possessions.

The Apostle Paul also speaks of rewards in the context of faithful service. In 1 Corinthians 3:8 , he writes, "The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor." This indicates that God recognizes and rewards the efforts and faithfulness of His servants.

The concept of rewards is further elaborated in the imagery of crowns, which symbolize different aspects of the believer's life and service. For example, the "crown of righteousness" is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8 : "From now on the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing."

While rewards are an important aspect of Christian teaching, they are not the primary motivation for believers. The ultimate goal is to glorify God and enjoy a relationship with Him. Rewards serve as an encouragement and affirmation of a life lived in faithful obedience to God's will.