Should we expect to be rewarded by God for obedience?

This is a widely debated subject that is easily settled in Hebrews 11.

Turns out, we can't please God without believing that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.

But hold on, because there is a distinction that needs to be made.

There's a difference between obeying with expectation and obeying to earn.

Both have the reward in mind, but their motivations differ.

If you try to earn something from God, you won't receive what you desire because nothing from God can be earned. It is all freely given through Jesus Christ.

But this doesn't mean we dismiss the reward of obedience in some "humble" display. No. We simply shift our motivation.

Instead of trying to earn the reward, we expect to receive the reward because it already belongs to us in Christ.