Originally Posted by
sanjuro_ronin
The "reward" you speak of is given freely not earned "so that no man may boast". The moment we do something to get a reward, the intent has forever tainted the act.
No, not really.
Remember that prayer is OTHER centered not self centered and when one is in communion with Christ ( actual oneness) there is no ego because one isn't "like we are now".
The gift of God's grace is an unmerited gift, nothing we do makes us merit it.
There is no ego when you realize that you can't do anything to merit His grace and that He has done EVERYTHING for you already.
Heaven isn't what is at stake, that is just an end destination, it is return to Man perfect state of relationship with God that is at stake BUT the price for that has already been paid, by the Son of God.
Because any action we would do would be with the intent to "get something" then those actions will never be good enough, the intent is tainted, it is full of EGO.