^^SSS!SW S«i5#5«i5S«?i!i!SW ««#«»i5SSS?«SW S5i5tf^^ STUDIES IN BIBLE FUNDAMENTALS Prepared For Beginners and For Classes
Why do Christians ru n in th e race of Christian service? 1 Cor. 9:24: “K n o w y e n o t t h a t th e y w h ic h r u n in a ra c e r u n a ll, h u t o n e re c e iv e th th e p riz e ? So r u n , th a t y e m a y o b ta in .” . (Note—We do not “ ru n ” in order- to save ourselves, for we are saved only- th rough Christ. See v. 26. P au l was saved upon his acceptance of Christ. In v. 27 hg was not fearing th e loss of his salvation bu t th a t, for some reason being cast aside, he would be unable to run for prizes. “Castaway” means in th e Greek, “ laid on th e shelf.” Many tru ly saved persons have been disqualified for service and so have lost th eir chance to win rew ard.) W hat is to tak e place a t th e resurrec tion of th e ju st? Lk. 14:14: “F o r th o u s h a lt b e re c o m p e n se d a t th e r e s u rre c tio n o f th e ju s t.” W hat special business will Christ und ertak e when He comes th e second tim e? Rev. 22:12: “A nd, b eh o ld , I com e q u ic k ly ; a n d m y r e w a rd is w ith m e, to g iv e e v e ry m a n a c c o rd in g a s h is iVorfc s h a ll be.” The crowns of rew ard will be given to whom? 2 Tim. 4:7-8: “I h a v e f o u g h t a g o o d fig h t, I h av e fin ish ed m y co u rse , I h a v e k e p t th e fa ith : H e n c e fo rth th e r e is la id u p fo r m e a c ro w n o f rig h te o u s n e s s , w h ic h th e L o rd , th e rig h te o u s ju d g e , s h a ll g iv e m e a t th a t d a y : a n d n o t to m e o n ly , b u t u n to a ll th e m a lso t h a t lo v e h is a p p e a rin g .” W hat th en m ust C hristians do if they expect rew ard? 1 Cor. 3:8: «A nd e v e ry m a n s h a ll re c e iv e h is ow n r e w a rd a c c o rd in g to h is ow n la b o r.” Will th e doing of good works ap a rt from belief in Christ avail anything for a sinner? Jn. 6:28-29: “T h en sa id th e y u n to h im , W h a t s h a ll w e do, f h a t w e m ig h t w o rk th e w o rk s o f G od? J e s u s a n s w e re d a n d sa id u n to th em , T h is is th e w o rk o f God, th a t y e b eliev e on h im w h om h e hath* se n t.” W hat are th e works of an unsaved man called? Heb. 9:14: “H ow m u ch m o re s h a ll th e b lo o d o f C h rist, w h o th r o u g h th e e te r n a l S p irit o ffered h im se lf w ith o u t s p o t to God, p u rg e y o u r co n scien ce fro m d ead w o rk « to se rv e th e liv in g G od?” A WHEEL WHICH TURNS DAY
REWARDS F ailu re to distinguish between the Bible promises of salvation to sinners and of rew ards to Christians, often gives rise to confusion in th e m inds of Bible students. It should he noticed th a t salvation is offered as a FREE gift to the un saved while rew ards are referred to as having to he EARNED. W hat is salvation called? Eph. 2:8-9; Jn. 4 :10 ; Rom. 6:23: “F o r b y g ra c e a re y e sa v e d th ro u g h f a ith ; a n d t h a t n o t o f y o u rse lv e s : i t is th e g i f t o f G od: N o t o f w o rk s, le s t a n y m a n sh o u ld b o a s t.’* “J e s u s a n s w e re d a n d sa id u n to h e r, I f th o u k n e w e s t th e g i f t o f God, a n d w h o it is t h a t s a ith to th e e , G ive m e to d rin k ; th o u w o u ld e s t h a v e a s k e d o f h im , a n d h e w o u ld h a v e g iv e n th e e liv in g w a te r .” “B u t th e g if t of God is e te r n a l life th r o u g h J e s u s C h rist o u r L o rd .” Is th e re any price upon salvation? Rev. 22:17; Isa. 55:1: «A nd w h o so ev er w ill, le t h im ta k e th e w a te r o f life fre e ly .” “ H o, e v e ry o n e t h a t th ir s te th , com e y e to th e w a te rs , a n d h e th a t h a th n o m o n ey ; com e y e, b u y , a n d e a t; y e a , com e, b u y w in e a n d m ilk w ith o u t m o n ey a n d w ith o u t p ric e .” jj On w hat basis alone are men saved? T itus 3:5-6: “N ot b y w o rk s o f rig h te o u s n e s s w h ic h w e h a v e done, b u t a c c o rd in g to h is m e rc y h e sa v e d u s, b y th e w a s h in g o f r e g e n e r a tio n , a n d re n e w in g o f th e H o ly G h o st; W h ich h e sh e d on u s a b u n d a n tly th ro u g h J e s u s C h rist o u r S av io u r.” On w hat basis are rew ards pro cured? Rev. 2 :10 ; Lk 19:17; Mt. 10:42: «Be th o u f a ith fu l u n to d e a th , a n d I w ill g iv e th e e a c ro w n o f life .” «A nd h e sa id u n to h im , W e ll, th o u g o o d s e rv a n t: b e c a u se th o u h a s t b een f a ith fu l in a v e ry little , h a v e th o u a u th o r ity o v er te n c itie s.” “A nd w h o so e v e r s h a ll g iv e to d rin k u n to o n e o f th e s e little o n es a cu p of co ld w a te r o n ly in th e n am e o f a d iscip le, v e rily I s a y u n to y o u , h e s h a ll in n o w ise lo se h is re w a rd .” (The word “ crown” is used symbolic ally of “ rew ard”— it does not signify “ salvation.” L aurel w reaths of honor were given in ancient times to suc cessful runners in th e races).
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker