“We glorify and love God every day through the gifts He has given us and by loving others.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 31, 2022
Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. Revelation 22:12
In his book, “Driven by Eternity,” John Bevere writes how important it is to plan for our eternal future. Of those who plan for forever with God, John writes, “… they live with purpose and know their eternal destiny is being written by how they live on the earth. This will provide them a grand entrance into the Kingdom of God, rather than them slipping in with all they’ve done burned up and destroyed.”
What? Burned up? Destroyed? What is John talking about? He is referring to 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 which reads:
“If any man builds on this foundation [Jesus Christ] using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day [when Jesus Christ returns] will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping the flames.”
Building with gold, silver and costly stones means “building on Christ” by obeying Him and His plan for your life. Building with wood, hay or straw means following your own fleshly desires to live life your own way regardless of God’s plan. Can you imagine working your entire life, doing good works and accomplishing things that you thought would matter to God, then finally meeting him face-to-face only to realize that you were only doing what sounded good to you and that you weren’t “building on Christ” at all?
Granted, no one builds entirely on Christ because we often sin and we are generally selfish. For this reason, I’m glad that salvation does not depend on works (Ephesians 2:8-9), instead, we are justified through the blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11). But as you can see, heavenly rewards do depend on works and those rewards will be a direct result of how we lived on the earth. Perhaps these heavenly rewards are a reason why Paul exhorted the Philippians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
All of this doesn’t mean that you should feel guilty and believe “I should be doing more for Christ.” We glorify and love God every day through the gifts He has given us and by loving others. He grants rewards based on obedience. And remember, being obedient isn’t just about doing “big” things. It’s also about doing the small things God calls you to. . .taking in the groceries for your neighbor, visiting a sick friend, or sending a card to someone who needs it.
Let your obedience begin and end with Him. So, when He reveals what He wants you to do with your life, or a next step He wants you to take to show love to someone, do it wholeheartedly! Then, when you come into His Kingdom, you will hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21).
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
Prayer
Lord, thank you for your gracious love and mercy and that you want to reward your kids for loving you and obeying you. Help me to keep an eye on heaven and life with heavenly purpose. Amen.
Application
Is there something the Lord is asking you to do and you have been slow to obey? Respond to Him today.
Related Reading
1 Corinthians 3:8; 2 Timothy 4:8; Philippians 3:20-21
Worship Resource
Jeremy Riddle: Glorify Thy Name
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