Free Grace Women

Introduction:

Over the summer, Free Grace Women reached out to our community and asked a series of Free Grace questions in order to gather references. We’re turning those conversations into a resource series—short collections of Scripture and insights that defend Free Grace truth with the Word itself.

Prompt Two:

Last time, we tackled the accusation that Free Grace promotes sin. This time, we move to a related theme that Scripture repeatedly emphasizes but is often misunderstood: eternal rewards.

The question was:

What are your favorite verses on rewards—and why?

Here’s how our community answered.

M.L.

“And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (Romans 8:17, NKJV)

This verse draws a crucial distinction. Every believer is an heir of God by virtue of being His child—but joint-heirship with Christ comes through endurance and faithfulness. Eternal life is a gift received by faith; reward is an inheritance shared by those who suffer for Christ.

M.L. also highlighted 2 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV):
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body… whether it be good or bad.”

Here, Paul reminds believers that while our salvation is secure, our service will be evaluated. The Judgment Seat (the bēma) isn’t about condemnation, but commendation. Our works will either endure or burn away, and each believer will receive according to what was done for Christ.

K.W.

Several passages remind us that reward is a major motivation for faithfulness.

Hebrews 11 celebrates those who lived “looking to the reward.” They weren’t earning eternal life—they already had it—but they were pressing on to please the Lord and receive His reward. Hebrews, as a whole, urges believers not to shrink back and lose what could have been theirs (Hebrews 10:35–39).

1 Peter 4:19 speaks to those who suffer for righteousness’ sake: “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” (NKJV) Peter later adds that such endurance will be met with “the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:4).

2 Timothy 2:12–14 reminds us,

“If we endure,
we shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.” (NKJV)
The denial here isn’t of salvation but of reign. Endurance leads to reward; unfaithfulness forfeits privilege—but never sonship.

And in Revelation 22:12, Jesus closes Scripture with this stunning promise:

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (NKJV)
His final words are not warnings of wrath but reminders of generosity. The One who saved us freely will reward us faithfully.

A.H.

Matthew 25:14–30 captures the heart of Christ’s generosity in rewarding His servants. A.H. noted about verse 27 especially: “The Lord wants to reward us, and even doing the minimum will gain a reward from Him.”

The parable reminds us that the Master delights in multiplying what His servants entrust to Him. He isn’t looking for perfection, but faithfulness. Our smallest acts, when done in faith, are seen and valued by the Lord.

N.R.

1 Corinthians 3:12–15 (NKJV)

“Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear… the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is….”

N.R. pointed out that this passage focuses on quality, not quantity. What matters is the motive and material of our service, whether it’s enduring and valuable in God’s sight, or temporary and self-serving. 

More Community Highlights

A few other verses came up in our discussion and are worth keeping in mind:

• Philippians 3:12–14 – Paul presses toward the prize (not salvation, but reward).
  
• 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 – The Christian life compared to a race: many run, but not all receive the crown.
  
• 2 John 8 – “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.”
  
• Matthew 6:1–6 – Jesus warns that doing righteousness for public praise forfeits heavenly reward. It’s not whether you’ll be rewarded—but by whom.

A Word to Remember

Eternal life is free; rewards are earned. 

The issue isn’t whether we belong in His kingdom—that was settled the moment we believed. The issue is how fully we will share in His joy when He returns.

As Jesus said, “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:21)

Stay tuned for Prompt Three, as we continue building this library of verses and insights from our Free Grace Women community. Each post is a reminder that sound theology is not built on opinions, but on the living Word of God.

References and Responses: Part 1