So I'm reading 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 in conjunction with Matthew 25:14-30 and it's kinda coming off like those who 'fail' to win the race or to make the master some money will not receive the prize and will be thrown out where there will be gnashing of teeth blah blah. It almost sounds like those who don't win some souls for the kingdom won't get into heaven. But that can't be right because that makes God sound like a bad guy, which I know he's not. So how do we make sense of this? Can I have your explanation of these things?
Andy:
First lets look at the scriptures you reference
1 Corinthians 9: 24-27 HCSB
24 Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. 26 Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly, or box like one who beats the air. 27 Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Matthew 25: 14-30
14 "For it is just like a man going on a journey. He called his own slaves and turned over his possessions to them. 15 To one he gave five talents; to another, two; and to another, one-to each according to his own ability. Then he went on a journey. Immediately 16 the man who had received five talents went, put them to work, and earned five more. 17 In the same way the man with two earned two more. 18 But the man who had received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master's money. 19 "After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five talents approached, presented five more talents, and said, 'Master, you gave me five talents. Look, I've earned five more talents.' 21 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!' 22 "Then the man with two talents also approached. He said, 'Master, you gave me two talents. Look, I've earned two more talents.'23 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master's joy!' 24 "Then the man who had received one talent also approached and said, 'Master, I know you. You're a difficult man, reaping where you haven't sown and gathering where you haven't scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, you have what is yours.' 26 "But his master replied to him, 'You evil, lazy slave! If you knew that I reap where I haven't sown and gather where I haven't scattered, 27then you should have deposited my money with the bankers. And when I returned I would have received my money back with interest. 28 " 'So take the talent from him and give it to the one who has 10 talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have more than enough. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 30 And throw this good-for-nothing slave into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
First on Corinthians 9, I don't think that salvation is the prize that Paul is referring to. I can not see Paul as a person who would say neither height nor depth nor yadda yadda yadda can separate you from the love of God then turn around and speak of being disqualified from salvation. I think he is talking of being a vessel for Gods will, and the potential of loosing that position rather than salvation itself. In Philippians 4:1 Paul refers to other believers as his crown. Paul also refers to a crown of righteousness laid up for him in heaven in 2 Timothy 4:8. James 1:12 refers to a crown of life earned by those who resist temptation, as does Revelation 2:10. 1 Peter 5:4 refers to a crown of glory given to Elders (pastors) for feeding and shepherding the flock. I don't think that any of these passages refer to these crowns as a symbol of salvation, but rather as rewards received in heaven for faithfulness on earth.
On Matthew 25:14-30, I don't think that this is a reference to salvation of individual believers either, though it could possibly seen as a judgment on the nation of Israel for not being an effective minister of God to other people and nations. Remember "Gettin' Saved" is not suppose to be the end of the Christian experience, it is suppose to be the beginning.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment