Is Obedience Only Necessary To More Rewards In Heaven?
I was told some teach the way to reconcile Eph 2:8-9 (not saved by works) and James 2:24 (saved by works) is that Ephesians is talking about “justification” (going to heaven) while James 2 is talking “sanctification” – which is falsely defined as more rewards in heaven. But check out the below obedience passages for yourself. Are they teaching obedience gets us more rewards in heaven, or are they requiring obedience to get to heaven in the first place?
Matthew 7:21 "he that doeth the will of my Father … shall enter into . heaven"
Hebrews 5:9 "the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him"
I Peter 1:22 "ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth"
Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city”
II Thessalonians 1:8-9 "them that … obey not the gospel … shall be punished with everlasting destruction"
James 2:24 "by works a man is justified, and not by faith only"
BTW, Thayer’s definition for the Greek word translated “sanctification” is “to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin,” not “more rewards in heaven.”
Consider this article detailing the correct way to reconcile Eph 2:8-9 and James 2:24:
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