Heaven Is Not A Reward, It Is a FREE Gift
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
Romans Catholicism and every other worldly religion teaches that grace is earned by works. But grace from God is UNMERITED therefore it can not be earned.
Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Noah’s faith in the coming Redeemer of mankind opened the door of grace through faith which means Noah was saved by faith just like Adam and Eve. In fact some indicate that Eve thought Cain was the man from the LORD that He promised, she realized later that she was mistaken about the WHO but not the WHAT; a SAVIOR. She and Adam had faith in God and his promise to send a deliverer and THAT was counted to them for righteousness, just like Noah, Abraham and all the OT saints.
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15
This is why Job said in faith: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” Job 19:25 and Abraham was waiting for a heavenly city not just an earthly blessing.
“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:10
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” Hebrews 11:13-16
And Moses did not know His name yet however he still put his faith in Christ the coming redeemer of all mankind.
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.” Hebrews 11:24-26
The reward spoken of above is not everlasting life, he already had that by believing in the coming Redeemer, the reward speaks of that which he would receive one day for his good works in choosing to suffer affliction with the people of God instead of living on easy street as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12
Salvation has always been and will always be by grace through faith and never of works so that no one can say they have earned the FREE GIFT.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.” Romans 3:27
No person will ever be able to say that they earned everlasting life (heaven). Therefore, God gets all the glory which only He deserves!