I think we are in agreement.
What i meant by that is that salvation is by grace alone, as written in Ephesians 2:8-9. Works are rewarded, as you have said.
I was suggesting that a saved person will desire to live a life pleasing to the Lord (with the Holy Spirit indwelling in them that desire becomes natural), as opposed to -for example - grudgingly doing good works because they ‘should’.
It seems to me we agree. Or at least for the most part.
Thanks for your response. We are saved by grace. However, in my mind there is a question as to how works fit into the picture. As I noted, Calvinists believe that good works are rewarded. However, scripture is replete with statements that the final judgment will bases on our deeds.
Here are some passages that I interpret we will be judged by our deeds:
8 Kgs 39 “You who alone know the hearts of all men, render to each one of them according to his conduct… .”
Jer 17:10 “I, the Lord, alone probe the mind and test the heard to reward everyone according to his ways, according to the merit of his deeds.”
Jn 5:28-29 “Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.”
Mt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”
And of course, Mt 25:31ff (the sheep and the goats)
Rom 2:6 God “will repay everyone according to his works: eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in good works, but wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness.” See also v. 10.
2 Cor 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.”
See also Ps 18:21-25.
So how does this all work together? I am not a theologian nor do I play one on TV. So I confess Jesus as my savior and try to work out my salvation with fear and trembling.