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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: EQUALITY (08/17/23)
All born-again souls are equally saved, as a result of believing in the unadulterated Gospel
Message.

One can never be any more, or any less saved, than when he or she became at the moment he or she was born again (1).

There is no power on Earth that can, and no power in Heaven that will, undo the sealing (2), or the regenerating (3) work that God (not clergy) performs at the moment of salvation when one first believes.

Our forgiveness is based on faith (trust and confidence) in the atoning work that Jesus Christ finished (4) on the cross, paying our sin debt in full.

Therefore, all born again believers will equally experience the same general environment (5) of Heaven, for all of Eternity.
Salvation is NOT a reward; it is an unmeritorious gift (6).

Discipleship is a chosen, post (after) salvation lifestyle that produces fruit that glorifies God. The production of this fruit on Earth is what will be rewarded (7) in Heaven.

The fruit of Mark 4: 19 is one’s own spiritual growth, and our participation in saving and or edifying the souls of other people.

The production of this fruit has got nothing to do with obtaining or retaining our salvation, but has everything to do with our post salvation discipleship.

Although all souls are and remain equally saved (8), just how any one born-again believer will e-x-p-e-r-l-e-n-c-e eternity will vary, depending on the reward and privileges one receives or forfeits.
Every born-again believer has equal opportunity to engage in discipleship.

God will not forget the labor that His disciples performed,but God does not reward work left undone (9).

Matt. 5: 12, 19 teaches that the heavenly reward for an advancing disciple will be great.

An advancing disciple is a born again believer who c-o-n-t-i-n-u-e-s to grow in the knowledge (10) and in the application (11) of the Word of God.

Discipleship is initially for the born-again believer’s own edification, but with the long term objective of participating in the Great Commission (12).

There is a flip side to this same coin (13). He who teaches others, by word or example, to do evil will be called “least” in the Kingdom. Keep in mind that one teaches others by what he or she does (or refrains from doing), as well as by what is said.

Rev. 2: 7, 11, 17, 26 and Rev. 3: 5,12, 21 teaches that only the born again believers who “overcome” will be granted specific privileges in eternity future for these accomplishments.

Not all souls become born-again believers (14). Until one is first born-again, he or she remains spiritually dead, void of eternal life.

Not all born-again believers become or remain disciples (15).

Not all disciples become Rev. 2 and Rev. 3 over-comers.

1Cor. 3: 15 teaches that some believers will receive no reward at all.

Again, God does not reward work left undone.

The grumbling vineyard workers (16) thought that they had more coming since they worked the vineyard longer than others who came along later in the day.

This parable is speaking about responding to the invitation to enter the kingdom of God when one is called. Assurance of reward for work finished is addressed in Heb. 7: 10 and 1Cor. 3: 14.

The ones who are born-again in early childhood are no more saved than the elderly man or woman who is born-again in a death-bed scenario.

The repenting criminal on the cross on the side of our Lord, had only a few hours left to live, but departed this world with the assurance (17) of having a home in Heaven.

Keep in mind that no one is promised tomorrow on Earth, with an accompanying opportunity to be born-again. God desires that all souls be saved (18), but no one knows when he or she has had his or her last opportunity.

What all born-again believers do have, is the daily, open invitation and equal opportunity to participate in the life of discipleship. Our response sets the stage for reward, privileges, or forfeiture in Eternity.

Every born again believer has equal opportunity to receive a full (19) reward, and to receive the privileges of an overcomer (20), in addition to the general environment (21) that will be experienced by all born-again believers.

Equal opportunity does not mean the same outcome. Our eternal outcome is determined by what one chooses to do with the accumulated opportunities one is given every day, here on Earth.
_________

(1) John 3: 5, 7 (2) Eph. 4:30 (3) Titus 3: 5 (4) John 19: 30 (5) Rev. 21: 4 (6) Eph. 2: 8-9 (7) 1Cor. 3: 14 (8) Romans 8: 1 (9) Heb. 6: 10/Matt. 25: 14-30 (10) 2Pet. 3: 18 (11) James 1: 22 (12) Matt. 28: 19, 20 (13) Matt. 5: 19 (14) Matt. 7:14 (15 ) Matt. 13: 22 (16) Matt.20: 11-12 (17) Luke 23: 43 (18) 1Tim. 2: 4 (19) 2John1: 8 (20) Rev, 2/Rev. 3 (21) Rev. 21: 4
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Linda Lawrence
08/24/23
I find this very helpful. Thank you!
Laurie Kiel 
08/28/23
Very well constructed with supporting Scripture. It was especially good for me to be reminded “ one teaches others by what he or she does (or refrains from doing), as well as by what is said.” Well done.