Those who walk by saving faith, which is motivated by love of God, are not only well pleasing unto the Lord, but they have a great reward as we see in Galatians 6:15-16 [RSV]. 15. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. God gives a reward of peace and mercy for faith when this faith is motivated by love. As the Apostle Paul also wrote, “if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2b [RSV]). The Lord is pleased with that faith, the new man, and the new heart filled with desires that come from the law of love. Only those whose faith is motivated by love are said to be blessed peacemakers who are sons of God (Matthew 5:9). To the believers at Philippi, Paul wrote, “And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 [RSV]). No longer are they enemies of God, but they are His children through adoption, and joint-heirs with His one and only begotten Son (Romans 8:15-17). They have had their sins washed away in the blood of the Lamb (Acts 22:16).
Speaking of Jesus Christ, Peter said in Acts 4:11-12 [RSV], 11. This is the Stone Which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the Head of the corner. 12. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved. So many people have varying beliefs regarding what constitutes Biblical salvation. To be saved from oneself, an individual who is lost in sin and rebellion, is salvation. Salvation means to be saved from serving the prince of the power of the air, who is Satan. But ultimately, salvation is having peace with God. It is reconciliation between God and the individual who had formerly through transgression walked away from the Lord. That is salvation. So true, saving faith does have its rewards as the grace of God reaches across the mighty gulf created by our sins that separated us from our Father.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Faith has its eye on this reward. It is the object of its faith. The reward, as Paul stated, is having peace with God and being reconciled to Him. It is coming under the mercy of God through the blood of Christ. It is peace, true peace. Faith does have its eye on the reward, but the motivation comes from love, not in seeking to follow the letter of the law out of compulsion. This reward is not given to those who serve the Lord by the letter of the law out of compulsion, but it is awarded to those who serve God in the spirit of the law from a motive of love.
Speaking of Jesus Christ, Peter said in Acts 4:11-12 [RSV], 11. This is the Stone Which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the Head of the corner. 12. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved. So many people have varying beliefs regarding what constitutes Biblical salvation. To be saved from oneself, an individual who is lost in sin and rebellion, is salvation. Salvation means to be saved from serving the prince of the power of the air, who is Satan. But ultimately, salvation is having peace with God. It is reconciliation between God and the individual who had formerly through transgression walked away from the Lord. That is salvation. So true, saving faith does have its rewards as the grace of God reaches across the mighty gulf created by our sins that separated us from our Father.
Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” Faith has its eye on this reward. It is the object of its faith. The reward, as Paul stated, is having peace with God and being reconciled to Him. It is coming under the mercy of God through the blood of Christ. It is peace, true peace. Faith does have its eye on the reward, but the motivation comes from love, not in seeking to follow the letter of the law out of compulsion. This reward is not given to those who serve the Lord by the letter of the law out of compulsion, but it is awarded to those who serve God in the spirit of the law from a motive of love.
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