INTRODUCTION:
There is a great difference between a Gift and a Reward. A gift is what a man receives free of charge while a reward is deserved or earned. Whatever a man worked for cannot be a gift but a reward.
"When people work, their wages are not a gift but something they have earned. (Rom. 4: 4 NLT).
A gift is given "by grace" while a reward is given by "works/good works/good deeds". These are two different things. Therefore, grace and works cannot receive one thing at a time. It is either by grace or by works.
"And if by grace, then is it no more of work: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if be of work, then is it no grace: otherwise work is no more work." (Rom 11: 6).
I want to share with you those things that are "freely given" to us by God through Jesus Christ and I trust the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your understanding to "receive them by faith" in Jesus Christ. Amen. (1 Cor. 2: 12).
To be continued tomorrow with the topic: SALVATION IS A GIFT. Please stay tuned. Thanx....