Knowing and living a life God rewards
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
Jesus, The Christ, Matthew’s Gospel, AD 50
Thus Paul enjoins servants, faithfully doing what is of their duty, to hope for recompense from the Lord but he adds “of the inheritance” (Colossians 3:24)
John Calvin, French theologians, Protestant Reformer, 1509-1564
The believer has his foundation in Jesus Christ. Now we are to build upon this foundation, and the works we have done must stand the ultimate test, final exams come at the Judgment Seat of Christ when we receive our reward.
Dr. Billy Graham, American Evangelist, 1918-2018
The Bible affirms that God will reward believers in heaven for their faithfulness and appears to promise reward in various degrees…just as it suggests degrees of suffering in hell. We affirm the biblical teaching while confessing that it is difficult to conceive of gradations of blessedness or suffering…
Evangelical Convictions, A Theological Exposition of The Statement of Faith of the EFCA, Second Edition
Oh the early Christians were motivated to love and good works by the Apostolic Teaching and we ought be as well, even intrinsically of the Spirit, The Bible makes clear that every Christian will give an account for how they lived their life and that each good work will receive rewards or repayment. (Ro.14:10,12; 2 Cor.5:10; 1 Cor.3:10-15). Christ taught that our actions now will affect our forever-experience. (Matt.16:27; 10:21; Lk. 14:14) Hmm. Think about this.
If the ancients were looking for an illustration of this truth, they perhaps considered the Olympic games in which many athletes might run the race for the rewards to be had. We commonly think of their prize as the laurel wreath but there is evidence of another trophy, perhaps an earlier one, a bronze tripod (Deutsches Archaologisches Institut, Athens). And by the way history records that there was no initial marathon course nor elite African runner winning the race. Rather it was Koroibos, a cook from the city of Elis, who won the first 600 foot race and then enjoyed his reward.
Before progressing further in explanation about eternal rewards, let’s pause and make clear an important theological distinction. For every person, throughout time, in every age, there are actually two keys that determine everything about our eternal destiny. The first key is our beliefs, our trust. On what or in whom do we trust for the afterlife ? The reliability of that object, person, or body of philosophy ought win over our trust and subsequently our trust and beliefs will be either validated or rebuked one minute after we die. It is appropriate to say that our beliefs determine our future geography and we’ll find out in the blink of an eye, whose worldview is most accurate, the actual right and the best “good”. The Bible assures us that if we have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and His substitutionary sacrifice for us, we are reconciled to God, we are forgiven and qualified on Jesus’ merit to enter the presence of God in heaven. Check out Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 10:8-11 for assurance of your trust in this Savior.
The second theological point made by the Bible about our eternal destiny pertains to how we experience our future eternal state. Not where we land but how we experience where we land. According to the Bible, and by implication/application our biblical motives, and congruence of beliefs and actions is assured of review and assured of rewards in and for eternity. To be noted is that the rewards are eternal; that is, they will affect our eternal experience in our Eternal State.
What exactly will be tested for Christians?
1. What we do will be tested. Was it a good work or self-centered, absent of good? cf. 2 Cor.5:10; 1 Cor.3:10-15.
2. How we did the work will be tested. Was the work done in a manner reflecting Christ…e.g. truly humble, preferring others over ourselves.
3. Why we did the work will be tested. The ‘why’ has to do with purity of motive. Jesus gave a small judgment preview when you called the Pharisees ‘white-washed walls’ . They failed the purity-of-motive test.
Signposts and benchmarks guiding us toward a life God rewards?
We needn’t be pining away now or wondering what exactly is it that God rewards. There are surely biblical signposts and benchmarks which guide how we invest ourselves now which contributes to how we will experience our future in Heaven.
1. it would serve us well to continually realign ourselves to Truth—is what we do an implication or application of the Scriptures? Are our actions filtered through a biblical grid?. 2 Tim. 1:13 literally Paul’s word could be translated as a ‘hyper-type’, a grid or pattern of sound teaching.
2. Another signpost is our earnestness to continually abide in-Christ. John, The Apostle is very clear about Christ’s words that if a man abides in Christ and Christ abides in him, that man or woman will bear much fruit; apart from Christ nothing can be done of eternal value. Cf. John 15:5; Rev 2:2,4
3. We further learn that embracing a right motive – is just as important as doing the right deed. The motive for a good deed is just as important as the deed itself. May we never steal God’s glory Matt.6:1, 1 Cor.10:31.
Think about this….the most esteemed, spiritual deed is worthless for eternal reward if motivated primarily as a photo-op before people, a stroke to the ego or a construct for our reputation.
4. Another signpost is LOVE. Is what we are doing wholly other-focused, and done for their welfare? Are our actions unconditional and without expecting repayment? Luke 6:35
5. These criteria, benchmarks on Earth guide us in living a life which God rewards. No pop quizzes, no surprises. “Everything we need for life and godliness has been given..” including the motivation for rewards which God eternally bestows. 2 Peter 1:2-4
Perhaps one final closing comment about this remarkable doctrine of rewards. Some Christians after discovering this Truth are captivated and earnest to serve. There is deep gratitude, anticipation, and motivation. Others in humility express how undeserving they are for any reward. Yes, Christ is enough. AMEN. We are all unprofitable and undeserving servants. Luke 17:10.
And yet, His grace toward us is so immense. Is it not lawful for Him to do what He wishes with His own things. Or is our eye evil because He is good. Hmm. Matthew 20:1-16. God in His grace toward us gifts us salvation in Christ and also chooses to reward and repay us in the next life in greater degrees of blessedness. No shame or remorse only greater experiences of bliss which He rewards Christians for lives well lived.
Strive on, dear brothers and sisters of the Faith. Live for what matters to Him even in the hardest of times and your reward shall be great. Luke 6:22-23.
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