Find free online books here at desiringGod.org.
Although it may be difficult to read books online without a book reader or laptop, you can still sample them to see if you would want to buy one. The book Desiring God also has a study guide that can be printed out for small group Bible study use.
Here is one of the best articles I’ve seen regarding the benefits of memorizing Scripture and why it’s so essential to the Christian life:
Why Memorize Scripture? by John Piper
A related post on this blog:
Knowing Scripture
If nothing else this shows a couple of different methods of scholarship.
What God Has Joined by David Instone-Brewer in Christianity Today
Response:
Tragically Widening the Grounds of Legitimate Divorce by John Piper
Related Scripture:
Malachi 2:13-16, Matthew 5:32, Matthew 19:9-11, Mark 10:11-12, Luke 16:18, Romans 7:2, 1 Corinthians 7:15
The task of Christian scholarship is to study reality as a manifestation of God’s glory, to speak about it with accuracy, and to savor the beauty of God in it. I think Edwards would regard it as a massive abdication of scholarship that so many Christians do academic work with so little reference to God. If all the universe and everything in it exists by the design of an infinite personal God, to make his manifold glory known and loved, then to treat any subject without reference to God’s glory is not scholarship but insurrection.
–John Piper
Our Reward in Heaven
1 Corinthians
In Garland’s commentary on 1 Corinthians he talks about 1 Corinthians 4:5:
“Paul now specifies what the reward is that he only alluded to in 3:8 and 3:14. It is praise from God (cf. Rom. 2:29; 1 Pet. 1:7).”
1 Peter 1:7
so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Wesley:
“Unto praise - From God himself. And honour - From men and angels. And glory - Assigned by the great Judge.”
Gill:
“his faith be found unto praise by him, he will have praise of him himself; it will be said unto him, “Well done, good and faithful servant”; his faith will be praised for its steadiness and constancy, notwithstanding all persecutions and tribulations; and his good works, the fruits of faith, will be taken notice of by him with commendation; he will be honoured, by being placed on the right hand of Christ, and by being set down with him in his throne, and having a crown of righteousness given to him;”
Clarke:
“he who doeth the will of God shall abide for ever, and his faith shall then be found to the praise of God’s grace, the honor of Christ, and the glory or glorification of his own soul throughout eternity. God himself will praise such faith, angels and men will hold it in honor, and Christ will crown it with glory.”
Related Scripture:
Matthew 6:3-4, Romans 2:29, 1 Corinthians 3:14 (teachers), Ephesians 6:7-8, Colossians 3:23-24 among others
I believe our reward is more than just salvation. I’m not sure if there will be any sort of levels or status in heaven but Scripture indicates we will be praised for good works, persevering in the faith etc. Some will enter only as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:15)
Here is another take on it with John Piper reading a section of a sermon by Jonathan Edwards called Levels of Happiness in Heaven.