Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 12, 2015
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelation 2:10-11
My friend Regina recently went to be with the Lord. God did not heal her body—but He did release her soul to be with Him—forever. Cancer and death did not win—for once she breathed her last breath she awakened, victorious in the presence of her Savior Jesus Christ. For followers of Jesus, death is an immediate transition to be with Jesus. Regina was great because she greatly loved people. Infant converts became mature believers because they were mentored by her in the Word. Titus2 was her calling. Then she was called home to worship with Jesus on the front row!
Eternal death is forever separation from God—the Creator of life. Banishment from the presence of the Lord is the destination of those who die without faith in Christ’s death for sin’s forgiveness and His resurrection for life eternal. For believers in Jesus eternal life is forever celebrated with Him. In Christ we pass from death to life—with the Lord for eternity. We better understand the love of God having humbled ourselves in the fear of God. There is a second death for those who die lost in their sins, but immunity for the saved—one death that transitions into eternal life.
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).
Our faithfulness to the point of death is worthy of a victor’s crown from Jesus. Any reward from Jesus is good. In humble worship and praise we place whatever rewards we receive at the feet of Jesus in honor of the One who won the victory for us. Faithfulness in this life is rewarded in the next life. In the same manner an inheritance is given to those who can be trusted, so Christ gives an inheritance to those of His children He can trust with His rewards. Faithfulness is rewarded.
The quality of our conduct and character does not get us to heaven—faith in Christ does. But our reward in heaven is determined by our faithfulness on earth. Our humble servitude with our Savior in this life means we will humbly reign with Him in the next life. Jesus prepares an eternal dwelling place for those who are prepared to be with Him. For this reason we shun sin now in readiness for a sinless society in eternity. We love all people now in preparation for loving and worshipping beside all people groups for eternity. Heaven is our immunity from hell.
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (Matthew 25:46).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, by Your grace I want to remain faithful until I see You face to face.
Application: Is my faith real and personal or only a facade—a cultural experience?
Related Readings: Psalm 16:11; Galatians 6:8; 1 John 5:11, 13, 20; Revelation 20:6, 14; 21:8
Post/Tweet this today: Faithfulness in this life is rewarded in the next life. #WisdomHunters #eternalife
Worship Resource: 6 minute video- Gaither’s: Take My Hand, Precious Lord
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