"Eternal Rewards"

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article #55 – “Eternal Rewards”

               In the last article, it was stated that rewards would be given out at the judgment seat of Christ.  Rewards is a subject that seldom, if ever, are spoken of from the pulpit.  It is a subject that gets little discussion in any venue.  However, for the Christian, it is very important to understand about eternal rewards.  While our salvation is freely given by God, there is nothing we must do except to believe, by faith, in Jesus Christ.  “He who believes in Me has eternal life.”  (John 6:47)  That is the end of the subject on who goes to heaven, now we must be concerned about our role in the life after. 

Entrance into the kingdom is a gift we receive by faith, eternal rewards are earned by faithful service.  Rewards have to be earned by good works of service to God.  The good works are such things as; giving, going to church, helping others, financial support for God’s work, obeying the golden rule, praying regularly, and reading and studying the Bible faithfully.   All of these and many other good deeds are serving the living God and at the same time building riches in heaven that will last for eternity.  “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Cor. 3:9) Paul continued by saying, “Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.  If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.  If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Cor.  3:12-15)

               The world we are living in is a proving ground for us in our preparation for eternity.  We are to be helping God in building His kingdom, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10)   God uses His children to carry out His plans here on this earth.  We don’t have to quit our jobs or go into the ministry full-time.  We just need to be as Christ like as we possibly can at work, at home, at play; wherever we are and whatever we do, people should see Christ though our lifestyle.  “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the father.” (Col. 3:17)

               We are not perfect people.  We live in a world corrupted by sin and the work of serving the living God is not easy for any of us but we must do all that we can to honor God.  We will all continue to struggle with sin as long as we are in this world but we must continue to have as a goal to become more Christ like with every passing day.  The apostle Paul struggled with sin as described in Romans chapter seven and he may have been the world’s greatest evangelist.  Life is a struggle for all but we must use the gifts that God has given us the best we possibly can and maybe He will say to you one day, “Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.” (Luke 19:17)  How great would that be!  What will your role in eternity be?

               You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More to follow.

Lowell Parrish