rewards
Faithful trust in God, without pridefully taking credit for divine action, leads to blessing.
After the lofty praises sung to Yahweh in Judges 5, we are brought down to terra firma with an unmistakable thud: the Israelites returned to their evil ways (6:1).
Usually, at this juncture Yahweh would be raising up a deliverer. Instead we have a detour—a round of deserved divine excoriation of the nation’s behavior (6:8–10). Israel had chosen to fear and obey not Yahweh, but the gods of the Amorites. The result? Oppression of the Israelites by the Midianites. This is the first narrative in which Israel’s cry for help is answered by a rebuke (6:7–10). It is a decidedly negative characterization of the nation, worse than what had been portrayed thus far.
Anyhow, Gideon is commissioned as deliverer. But the skeptical guy wants a sign (6:17). He gets it (6:20–21)—God is gracious. Yet, Gideon’s surreptitious undertakings by night—obedience in destroying idols, but under cover of darkness: covert commitment—hints at a compromised attitude to God, one that is laced with apprehension, not exactly what ought to have characterized one who has just interacted with God and obtained multiple assurances of divine presence (6:12, 14, 16, 21–24).
In any case, for the first time since Othniel (3:10), the Spirit of Yahweh “comes” upon the deliverer (6:34). Then, like Ehud, Gideon “blows a trumpet” (3:27; 6:34) and, like Barak, Gideon “summons” his troops (4:10; 6:34, 35). Gideon seems to have gained some confidence. But no, the ever-skeptical Gideon now tests God with fleece (6:36–40). This, despite the fact that Gideon acknowledges twice that God had said he would deliver Israel by Gideon (6:36, 37; see 6:14, 16). Indeed, the fellow has the gall to admit that he is “testing” God (6:39). Yet God—again—graciously complies.
OK, now on to the battle.
Oh, wait—now it is God’s turn to throw a spanner in the works (7:1–8)! Yahweh is not going forward with the huge army Gideon has mustered (6:34–35). He demands that Gideon’s forces be pruned, so that Israel may not become boastful. From 32,000 to 300! This, in the face of 135,000 enemy troops (8:10): Gideon ends up with one soldier for every 450 enemy combatants! Great! Whatever confidence Gideon may have gained has now evaporated.
And notice that the 300 who remain pick up … trumpets (7:8; likely on God’s directive)! There is no sign of any weaponry. There was no way a 300-strong weaponless army was going to successfully take on a 135,000-strong battalion. But Yahweh takes the initiative and graciously gives Gideon yet another sign-assurance of success (7:9–11). So all looks good, and the battle begins.
What battle? The Israelites just stand blowing trumpets and waving torches and shrieking. It is Yahweh who fights with a sword (7:19–22). And the Midianites flee—entirely God’s doing.
In retrospect, the Israelites’ earlier war cry, “For Yahweh and for Gideon” (7:18), looks decidedly odd. Why the urge for Gideon to personalize this war (7:18), especially when Yahweh’s expressly stated goal was to not share the glory of victory with humans (7:2)? It looks like Gideon wanted a piece of the limelight.
In sum, Yahweh’s suspicions about Israel and Gideon (7:2) turn out to be true: humans had equated deity’s power with their own puny (non-)efforts and had become boastful (7:18, 20), daring to steal God’s glory. This is especially striking since in every other victory of every other judge until now, Yahweh’s actions are given priority: 3:10, 28; 4:14 (and even in this account, 7:15). Skepticism, sadly, had turned, not into surrender, but into swagger.
“He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6).
All who come to God in faith will receive the reward of eternal life.
We’ve seen that without faith it’s impossible to please God. And the first step in faith is believing that God exists. In addition, we must also believe that He answers our prayers—more specifically, that He redeems those who come to Him in faith.
Scripture repeatedly tells us that God not only can be found, but also desires to be found. David said to his son Solomon, “If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever” (1 Chron. 28:9). The Lord says in Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jesus said, “Everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened” (Luke 11:10).
At first glance those verses may seem to contradict Paul’s teaching that “there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside” (Rom. 3:11-12), and Jesus’ statement that no one can come to Him unless the Father draws him (John 6:44). But really they’re two sides of the same theological coin.
On one side you see man believing God and receiving Christ for salvation. On the other you see God enabling man to do so. Prior to salvation, a person is spiritually dead and utterly incapable of responding to the gospel. God must grant him or her saving faith. That’s why the Bible contains statements like, “To you it has been granted for Christ’s sake . . . to believe in Him” (Phil. 1:29); “As many as had been appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48); and “The Lord opened [Lydia’s] heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul” (Acts 16:14).
God is the Great Rewarder, extending His love and grace to all who call upon Him. “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed” (Rom. 10:11).
Suggestions for Prayer
If you’ve been praying for someone’s salvation, don’t become discouraged. Only God can grant saving faith, but He gives us the privilege of participating in His redemptive work through faithful prayer and evangelism (Rom 10:1).
People often think of desiring rewards as selfish, but believers know that heavenly rewards are given in recognition of a life lived according to God’s principles. Although these rewards are gained or lost based on our service to Christ, we never have to wonder if we have done enough to earn salvation. Our salvation is a free gift from God that we cannot earn (Ephesians 2:8-10). We can be completely secure in our salvation and in our place as an adopted child in the family of God. As children of God, we are His heirs (Romans 8:17). We are in God’s will to be rewarded. How do we earn rewards? Rewards are based on our level of commitment to Christ. Were we ashamed to be Christians or were we willing to be identified as visible and verbal followers of Christ? One reward will be the public approval of Christ. Other rewards will include levels of rulership and authority that will be granted based on our faithfulness to Christ. Special privileges will also be available to some Christians, but not all. How we live our earthly life will determine the rewards we experience in our eternal life.
We will be rewarded in spite of the challenges we had to overcome. Because of our commitment to Christ, we have the power to overcome sin, suffering, rejection and much more. Scripture tells us we face three enemies—the world, the flesh and the devil. These enemies cannot take away our salvation, but they can divert us from our purpose and calling. To defeat these enemies, we must depend on the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit and remain steadfast in our love for Christ. Even in the face of opposition and struggle, we have no reason to fear. Christ has already overcome the world and we can be overcomers through Him (John 16:33) and in Him are our rewards.
Getting Started
1. People often leave things of value to those they love. What are some things of value God has left His children in His will?
2. Why do people sometimes feel ashamed to be identified as a Christian?
Let’s Get Personal
1. What is your level of commitment to Christ currently? Why do you think your commitment is at that level?
2. Which enemy is the most difficult for you to overcome—the pressure of the world, your flesh and sinful desires, or the devil? Why is that enemy a struggle for you?
3. How has your thinking about rewards been biblical or unbiblical? How will you now incorporate the idea of rewards into your daily decision-making?
Take The Next Step
1. How can you begin to deepen your love for Christ and strengthen your commitment to Him?
2. What steps can you take through the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome sin, suffering, the devil, and the world?
3. Want to go deeper? Take time to look at the following passages: 2 Corinthians 5:9- 11; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; Romans 14:10-12; 1 Peter 1:17; Matthew 12:36- 37; Matthew 10:42; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Mark 10:28-31; Romans 2:12; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Colossians 3:23-24; 2 Timothy 2:12; Matthew 16:27; Ephesians 2:8- 10; Revelation 21:4; Ephesians 6:8; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Luke 19:17; 1 John 2:28; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Matthew 19:29; John 12:26; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 22:16; Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 10:35-36; Hebrews 9:15; Romans 8:17.
Renew Your Mind
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24
Dear Roger,
I’ve been reading about the judgment seat of Christ where we will receive awards according to how profitable or unprofitable our lives have been on earth. It seems to me as I read these passages that some will be ashamed at how poorly that they have done. Could that be true?
Sincerely, Colin
Dear Colin,
Yes, I think that some will be ashamed.
Revelation 22:12 introduces the fact of rewards for the believers:
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I
will give to everyone according to what he has done.”
There is coming a time when we will be judged on the basis of what we have done as Christians. This is known as the “Judgment Seat Of Christ” which occurs during the seven-year tribulation on earth.
2 Corinthians 5:8-10 Summarizes Our Evaluation Before Christ.
“Whether good or bad. “So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body” (2 Corinthians 5:8-10).
SHOULD A CHRISTIAN WORK FOR REWARDS?
The answer to this question seems self-evident. However, not everyone seems to feel that way!
“You know, I don’t think we ought to talk about rewards – we ought to serve the Lord because we love Him.”
“I don’t care about the crowns, I just care if I get there!”
“I’m not working for rewards; I’m just working for Christ!”
All of these statements are good rhetoric. However, they are very poor theology. We ought to serve Christ because we love Him. Nevertheless, we have every incentive to seek the very best rewards that we can for ourselves.
Moses worked for his rewards (Hebrews 11:23-26).
Paul was looking to his rewards – (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
We should be working and looking for ours as well.
WHAT THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST IS NOT
First, The Judgment Seat Of Christ Does Not Determine Whether We Go To Heaven.
If we have Christ as our Lord and Savior, we go to heaven. If we don’t have Christ we go to Hell. There is no St. Peter at the pearly gates.
The average person thinks that there is only one big judgment at the end of time where people are judged on whether they have more “goods” than “bads”. If they have more “goods” than “bads,” you go to heaven. On the other hand, if you have more “bads” than “goods,” you go to hell.
There will never be a time of judgment like that.
The Judgment Seat of Christ is one of at least five different judgments that take place at different times and in different places.
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Judgment of Sin – (Isaiah 53:6, the four gospels) – 30 AD Christ on the cross.
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Judgment seat of Christ – (2 Corinthians 5:9-10) – evaluates the profitability of a Christian’s life on earth.
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Judgment of Israel – (Ezekiel 20:33-44) – occurs at the conclusion of the Great Tribulation – when God purges all rebels out of Israel.
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Judgment of the nations – (Matt 25:31-46) – occurs at the end of the Tribulation.
The criteria is based on how each nation responded to Israel’s needs during the Great Tribulation. Believing and unbelieving Gentiles are separated here as wel
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“Great White Throne Judgment” (Jude 6; Revelation 20:11-15) – Judgment of Satan, his demons, and all those who never received Christ the Savior while they were alive; all are cast into The Lake Of Fire. The Books Of Works demonstrate to all of the lost that they are not good enough for heaven.
The Judgment Seat Of Christ Does Not Punish Believers For All The Sins That They Have Committed Since Salvation.
Can you imagine the horror of God publicly judging all of your sins as they were flashed on the big screen at the movie theater! “Here’s Roger! Look at him in sin when he was 14- years-old – what a horrifying thought!
Fortunately, the Bible teaches that our sins will never be seen again.
Isaiah 38:17 says that God has put our sins ” behind our backs”. The word literally means, “behind our shoulder blades”. Have you ever tried to look back there?
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST?
“Bema” is the Greek word for “throne” which best represents the judgment place where winners in the Corinthian and Olympian games climbed that raised platform to receive their crowns and rewards.
Athletes came from all over Greece in the hopes of mounting that raised platform of honor and dignity.”
Only winners receive rewards. Losers do not mount up on the Olympic Stand to receive rewards.
By grace, every believer will stand upon the honor stand. Christianity is the only thing I know of where everybody wins and nobody loses.
1 Corinthians 3:10-16 Gives A Detailed Picture Of This Judgment.
Let’s imagine that we are going to build a building and it’s going to be a Temple of God:
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own way: you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
The FOUNDATION is Jesus Christ.
It is impossible to build a meaningful life on anyone or on any other than Jesus Christ. He is foundational.
The building MATERIALS can be placed into two categories.
Indestructible objects – gold, silver, precious stones = “valuable.”
Destructible, worthless objects – wood, hay and stubble = “worthless.”
Imagine an empty lot. Jesus Christ is the foundation in the middle of the lot. On that foundation you’re going to build your life.
If you’re going to build a building, granite or marble would be good. A solid marble building overlaid with gold and silver would be nice!
But do you know what many Christians do? They build out of wood! They use wood for the door frames and door jams, then use hay mixed with mud for bricks and then top it off with a stubble roof!
So here are two Christians with the same resources, the same spirit and the same power. The one who built with wood, hay and stubble says, “Here it is God. How do you like it?”
The other says “Here it is God, gold, silver, precious stone.”
God says, “Well…wood, hay, stubble are not evil, they are just not worth much. You’re still a Christian but it isn’t really proper to put a mud hut on the foundation of Jesus Christ.”
The Judgment Seat of Christ will have a simple Test.
There’s coming a day when God takes the buildings to the judgment seat. God’s going to light a fire to see what it left.
Wood, hay and stubble burn.
Marble, granite, gold, and silver do not.
At the Judgment Seat we will be judged on what we’ve done of eternal value for Christ. Were we profitable? Or, unprofitable the kingdom. Christ is concerned with what we’ve done of lasting value.
Obviously, some will be ashamed as described by Jesus in Matthew chapter 25.
Some Christians will watch their houses go up in a great conflagration! They suffer loss of crowns and rewards; but notice that no one suffers the loss of their salvation.
There will be gold Christians and there will be stubble ones. But all are Christians because they have one foundation. Jesus Christ.
Our rewards will be based upon our love for God and others, our purity, holiness, behaviors, motives, values, and service. He will consider how well we have followed Christ as our Lord and Savior. Of course, he will notice the maturity of our Fruit Of The Spirit. Certainly, He’ll want to evaluate how well we lived out the Beatitudes. How well have we followed God’s will for our lives is very important to him. He will evaluate our generosity and how well we responded to the needs of the poor and needy.
Of course, we are describing a lifestyle, not a checklist, which God will use to evaluate our profitability.
The key to the evaluation must be John 15:5. We simply live out the normal Christian life and all will be well.
“I am the vine may: you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.” NIV
Our Christian lifestyle is critical.
A chaplain visited a new inmate in prison. “Say, Chaplain, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.” “You have, why?” “Well, you see, I’m a preacher, too!” “You are! Then what are you doing in here?” “Well,” he started into a long explanation. When he finished, the chaplain said. “Please, just do me one favor.” “What’s that?” asked the inmate. The chaplain replied, “Don’t tell anyone here that you’re a preacher. You’re bad advertisement.”
In Addition To Our Rewards, Six Kinds Of Crowns Will Also Be Distributed At The Judgment Seat Of Christ.
The Diadem is a crown for Jesus.
The Stefanus is a laurel wreath that we will lay at Jesus’ feet.
- Believer’s Crown (Rev 4:4): this is the only crown not earned. We receive it by grace at the moment of our salvation.
- Crown of Rejoicing (Phil 4:1; I Thess 2:18-20): this is the Soul Winner’s crown given to those who lead lost people to Christ.
- Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:1-8): Loving Christ’s Second Coming
- Crown of LIfe (James 1:12; Rev 2:10) For enduring trials for Christ.
- Crown of Glory (I Peter 5:1-4): Pastor’s Crown – available to all who shepherd Jesus’ spiritual sheep.
- Incorruptible Crown (I Cor 9:24-27): Crown of self-denial.
Exactly what is the nature of the rewards that we receive from Jesus at the Bema. No one knows for certain. However, there is no doubt that those who have been profitable on earth will receive more than those who did not do so well.
In heaven according to the profitability of their actions will there be perhaps a greater capacity for praising and honoring God?
Perhaps this ties into the Parable of Talents. Jesus says in Matthew 25 that If we do well here, we may have greater rewards and abilities in Heaven.
We don’t want to get to heaven by the skin of our teeth! We ought to be sacrificing to get the gospel to the ends of the earth! The King’s Business requires the very best that we have!
WHAT WILL WE DO WITH OUR REWARDS?
Will we build a trophy case?
Will we count the number of stars in our crowns.
Will we compare crowns? No!
“They lay their crowns before the throne and say: “you are worthy Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:10-11).
If I read it right, it’s the believers, Jesus’ Bride, laying down their crowns at the feet of Jesus. The Crowns are indicative of how much we love Him.
“If Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the father” (Philippians 2: 9-11).
The for rewards was one of the greatest motivating factors in the life of Paul! So, it shall it be in ours.
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time is come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing 2 Timothy 4:6-8).
Paul prepared for his appearance before Christ – and so should we! It’s not that Paul was crass or that he only wanted glory and honor. – it was simply that if he were going to be involved in serving Jesus, he was going to give Him his best!
Love,
Roger
In Daniel 3:1-30 we see the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three Hebrew companions of Daniel appointed as assistants to him as he ruled over the province of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar created a statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar made a decree — people of all races, nations, and languages must bow to the statue at the sound of any harp, lyre, horn, flute, pipes, and any other musical instruments or face being thrown in a blazing furnace.
This request was obviously problematic for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; they were being asked to conform to the values of the culture. Much like today’s believers, these three young men lived in a secular culture that sought to conform them to a humanistic worldview. As believers, we are pressured to conform to the values of the day which is ultimately idolatry. The culture wants Christ followers to “dumb-down” God and elevate man so that the two are indistinguishable. This presents an opportunity for righteous suffering when God’s people refuse to follow the crowd. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not conform to the culture and as a result they had to suffer. However, their suffering was not due to their work but to their worship. Notice that the Hebrew boys had official positions under King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 3:12). Alongside Daniel, they were granted their work through God’s favor and they completed their tasks with diligence and respect for the King (Dan 2:46-49). However, they would not compromise a clear biblical value for the sake of their careers, positions, or recognition.
Believers must resolve to trust God’s sovereignty over man’s power. Many believers face the pressures of compromise today in their corporate environments or in their personal relationships. Instead of bowing to this pressure, believers must resolve to stay committed even in the midst of righteous suffering. Faith in God did not keep them from the fire, but God joined them in the fire. Sometimes God keeps us from the difficulty but other times we must look for God’s presence in the middle of the trial or hard moments. We must be willing to suffer for righteous reasons so that God can get the glory.
Nebuchadnezzar recognized God’s glory and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego got promoted because they were willing to take a stand. Many believers don’t get promoted because they are not willing to take a stand for God, instead they acquiesce to the culture and that is not what God has called them to do. Only God promotes! Since God promotes, you should be more committed to Him than those who only appear to hold this power.
GETTING STARTED
- Many of us often find ourselves in compromising positions because we seek to serve God but still live in the world. When did you feel pressured to conform to a standard that was contrary to your biblical value system.
- Why do you think Daniel named Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as his companions to help him rule over Babylon? What character traits would you use to describe these three?
LET’S GET PERSONAL
- What suffering have you endured because of your spiritual commitment?
- What promotions has God brought about in your life because of unwavering faith?
- As you listened to this week’s sermon, did you experience the conviction of the Holy Spirit? In what areas of your life do you need to stop compromising?
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
- What do you admire about the faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? What can you do this week to grow and mature your faith?
- Want to go deeper? Take a look at the following passages: Daniel 1:1-21;Daniel 6:1-28; 1 Peter 2:20; 1 Peter 3:14, 17; 1 Peter 4:16, 19; 1 Peter 5:10; andPsalm 75:6-7.
RENEW YOUR MIND
“But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian…”
1 Peter 4:16
“For we shall all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each of us may be recompensed for his deeds in the body whether good or bad.” 2 Cor. 5:10
It is called the Bema or the Judgment Seat of Christ and is, in my opinion, the most untaught area of Christology. It’s not because its teaching is not known in the Bible but it is just not taught. Maybe it’s because we as Christians are so delighted to know that we have escaped judgment through Christ who removed our judgment that the notion that we still will be judged for our “works”- not sin, mind you, but what we did with our Christian lives- is unnerving to us.
The Bema occurs after the Rapture and before the 2nd Coming. It occurs at the beginning of our 7 year honeymoon in glory with our Bridegroom in the house He has prepared for us, the New Jerusalem. The term Judgment Seat or Bema was well known to those in Corinth, the church where Paul introduced the term “the Bema.”
The Bema was a judicial place where an athlete who had competed in the games- the Isthmian games- had to stand before the judge and attest that he had “competed according to the rules”- rules of diet, training, and moral purity. The Bema was an old time drug testing. If you did not run according to the rules you do not get the prize. In the same way the Christian will be judged- not for sin as that was settled in Christ- but for our faithfulness.
It doesn’t mean you are or are not in “the ministry.” One can be in the ministry for worldly reasons and as Paul said “it profits me nothing.” One can however do the most menial of tasks for the glory of God and as Paul said of Christian slaves “whatever good thing each one does this he shall receive back from the Lord whether slave or free.” (Eph. 6:8)
“Each of us shall give account of himself to the Lord.” (Rom. 14:12)
Paul spoke of this in 1 Cor. 3 as a Christian building project. A Christian’s life can use the wisdom of the world (wood, hay or straw) or the wisdom of God (gold, silver, precious stones).
What did you build on?
“The day will show it because it be revealed with fire and the fire will test the kind (or quality) of each man’s work.” (1 Cor. 3:13)
“If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up he shall suffer loss (i.e. of reward) yet he himself shall be saved, yet as though through fire.” (1 Cor. 3:14-15)
What do we mean by “reward”? It is that which will continue into the coming kingdom of Christ. It is what Jesus meant by “seek first the kingdom of God” and “make for yourselves purses that do not wear out.” It is what Paul meant by “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” It is what he meant by “an imperishable wreath.” It is what John meant by “that you might receive a full reward.” It is what Paul meant by “I seek for the profit that increases to your account” and “we shall reign with Him.”
In some sense our place of rule in the thousand year reign of Christ will be affected by our faithfulness now.
Every act from Adam on in some sense will be requited, recompensed or punished in Christ on the cross or in hell.
To me however the most precious text is from Rev. 19:7-8.
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”
“It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”
Our garment and its splendor will come from the Bema and the reward from Christ (not punishment mind you) for what we have “done in the body.” (2 Cor. 5:10)
Every good deed shall be brought to light.
If you would like a good application of this read Revelation 3:14-22 about a worldly church that was successful in all the wrong things, the church of Laodicea.
It may be cliché but it’s true.
“Only one life, twill soon be past
Only what’s done for Christ shall last.”
Let’s live for the smile and “well done” at the Bema of our Incomparable Christ.
www.dbc.org. Used by permission.
There was a man who started on a life journey only to see it come crashing down as he exited in failure. What was a hopeful beginning ended in bitter defeat…but that wasn’t the final word!
Have you been there? Are you there right now? Can you relate to failure in life?
His story began in the early 18th Century on a ship headed to America to bring Christ to the Native Americans. There was much fanfare and excitement for this young man as he was embarking on his long and arduous trek to new lands. But, his journey upon the ocean was not a joy ride. Rather, the tempests wailed as they made their way across the Atlantic and rocked this young man’s faith to the core. However, at one point during the awful storm he witnessed a group of missionaries sitting in peace as the wind blew and the waves roared around them. He never forgot that moment.
Their ship did make it to shore and life in this new outpost began.
Upon settling into his first pastorate, a young lady caught his eye. He was smitten with love and desire. As circumstance would have it, however, she had already caught the eye of another man. Well, the days turned into weeks and the bitter thought of not having this young lady as his companion weighed too much upon his soul. Reaction was the word of the day, and he–in jealous retaliation of being rejected by her–exercised his position of leadership among the congregation and removed this young lady and her beaux from receiving the Lord’s Supper. The difficulties mounted, and he now found himself having to accept ministerial failure and a tarnished reputation as he set sail back to Great Britain.
During their return voyage, they faced even more storms, and this only added to the discomfort of his spirit. At that moment, he was reminded of the unwavering faith and peace of the missionaries he had previously seen on their first journey over to America. He thought about how their faith grew stronger despite the chaos and the imposing danger. However, he couldn’t understand what it was that anchored them to their faith in the midst of such a terrifying circumstance.
Finally, the ship landed safely upon the shores of Great Britain, and he was now set upon understanding what anchored those brave people in the face of death. He soon found out that those were Moravian missionaries sent to bring the Gospel of Christ to a lost world. They lived as a community and had small group time and times of Bible study to prepare them for their life’s work. This was all the young man needed to know as he made his way to their location only to spend time developing his gifts of administration and the beginning of his life work.
As it turns out this man was John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church.
Can you relate to failure in life? Can you relate life’s circumstances and challenges?
Perhaps his first failed journey is a lot like many of ours? Perhaps not yet? Failure is not if, but when. This is an unavoidable aspect of life. We cannot escape that in time we will fail. But, we often avoid trying new things, because we might fail. We often get paralyzed for fear of failure. We can even allow ourselves to think that failure defines us. What lies.
What we need is biblical truth to guide us through life’s ups and downs. We need a God who sees beyond what is, and instead what could be…what will be.
This journey of life is full of failures and broken roads…however…that’s not the final answer. Think about Joseph’s brothers. Think about David. Think about Peter. Think about Paul. Think about John Mark. Think about ______.
“We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.”
Romans 8:28 Amplified
Are you a follower of Christ? Is God your supreme love? Then, rest in the verse above, and step out in faith. He’ll craft your failures for His glory.
www.staffandstones.com. Used by permission of dbc.org.
Dear Roger,
I have a question about what has been termed to be “earning my crown.” My husband and I want to hear your explanation of what earning “jewels in the crown” means. My parents have told me that by doing good works on earth they are earning jewels in their crowns and they will receive a greater reward in heaven. It seems to us that when we go to some kind of a “system” to be rewarded in heaven, that’s defeating the purpose, and is almost Pharisaical. If we choose to do things saying we are doing that act to glorify God in order to get a reward…to me it smacks of religion, rather than relationship with the Lord. Can you enlighten us?
–Kathi
Dear Kathi,
Should a Christian Work for Rewards?
A resounding “yes!”
Please look up and digest 2 Corinthians 3:10-15 where Paul describes Jesus’ process for determining how well or how poorly we spent our lives on earth. The more profitable our lives, the more rewards we earn, the greater will be the position that we will have in heaven. Some Christians will be disappointed.
The Soul Winner’s Crown of Evangelism
“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
A person’s greatest glory lies in those whom he/she has helped on the path to Christ.
Jim Tosh was the first person I helped on the path to Christ. I was seven years old and very excited about my faith. He was in the fourth grade and I was in the second. We were on the playground at school when I told him about the little lost lamb that Jesus talked about that needed a Savior. I told Jim that he was a lost sheep who needed to be found. He became a Christian right then and there.
We were baptized together three weeks later. Nine years after that he rounded a curve too fast and his “new” first car was totaled. His head hit the rear-view mirror and instantly he transitioned into Heaven’s glory. We were good friends, but I wished that he’d stayed around a little longer. I’m so glad that I talked to him about Jesus.
By the way, many surveys taken over the years declare that 98% of all Christians have never experienced the joy of leading a single person to Christ.
“Will there be any stars in my crown?” is an old hymn that has transcended generations. The melody has changed often. The idea is that we receive the soul-winners crown when we first lead somebody to Christ as Lord and Savior. Every time we lead another person to Christ, a star is attached to our crown!
The Pastor’s Crown of Glory
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:4)
Remember that Jesus called his disciples to be “fishers of men.” But don’t forget that when Jesus restored Peter to fellowship in John 21, he made it quite clear that while Peter was still to fish for fish; Peter was to shepherd Jesus’ lambs and sheep.
We follow in the footsteps of Jesus. He was the chief Shepherd. We are shepherds, too.
Any Christian who has led someone to know Christ, knows what a thrill it is to point to some person who has done well, and be able to say, “That was one of my boys/girls.”
John wrote, “I have no greater joy to hear than that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4).
This crown is reserved for those who care for, mentor, and help mature Christ’s spiritual children and into spiritual mothers and fathers.
You don’t have to be a pastor to earn this crown. Any Bible study leader or teacher is qualified to receive this crown.
The Eternal Crown of Self-Discipline
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Corinthians 9:25)
The righteous live lives that are holy and pure. In every issue of life they want to do what is right.
Paul insists that Christians who wanted to take the easy way would never get anywhere without the sternest of self-discipline. Paul was always fascinated by the picture of the athlete. An athlete must train with intensity to win his contest. Self-discipline is training to win a crown of laurel leaves that wither and die within days. How much more should the Christian be self-disciplined to win the crown that is eternal life!
I recall driving one day and seeing a man playing golf. It just so happened that I passed that way again next week. Rain was pounding down in horizontal sheets. However, there he was, still playing golf in the raging rain.
That is dedicated self-discipline. May God grant us the self-control to be much more dedicated to Christ than he was to golf.
The Crown of Rejoicing: the Loving Anticipation of the Second Coming
“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8)
I can hardly wait for the second coming of Jesus. My wife and I argue about just when that might occur. She says that Jesus will come before the seven years of tribulation on earth. I say that he will come right at the middle of the tribulation when Jesus opens the seven seals, the angels blow seven trumpets, and God pours out his seven bowls of wrath upon the earth.
I finally decided to pray for the second coming her way. Jesus will come at the beginning of the seven-year tribulation so that we could hold hands heading up to heaven at the rapture.
Remember, live as if Jesus were coming in the next 10 minutes. But plan as if He were not coming for another 100 years.
Victor’s Crown of Righteousness
“Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules” (2 Timothy 2:5)
Paul says in Ephesians 6:10-17 that not only will Jesus give us the victor’s crown because of our godly living on earth, he gives us the crown of righteousness to use as protection from the attacks of the devil.
It is important to pray daily that every decision we make will be right. One of our church businessmen said to his employees, “If we get half of our decisions correct, we’ve done well.” I think that we all can do better than that. We have the Holy Spirit within to guide us.
When our church property ran out of parking spaces, I decided the church should buy the surrounding houses for more space. Many of the neighbors worked hard to stymie our attempt. We ended up before the city zoning commission and made our appeal. Many angry homeowners fought us and won. I was so humiliated, but rightly so.
One of the zoning commissioners said, “You’d think that a church could get along better with its neighbors, after all doesn’t the Bible say, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house?”
That was one of the worst decisions that I ever made.
The Martyr’s Crown
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown” (Revelation 2:10)
The band “DC Talk” published a contemporary collection of Christian martyrs and persecutions around the world. More Christians are being persecuted and martyred today than at any other time in world history.
During the Chinese Cultural Revolution, one Christian observed an act of martyrdom that she later repeated. From her cell window, she saw two young Christian women kneeling before their pastor. He was told to shoot both girls or he himself would be shot. He hesitated. One of the girls said, “It’s okay pastor. We know you are in a rough position. We understand if you shoot. After all, we will be going to heaven!
In a moment of great weakness their pastor pulled the trigger twice. Both girls slumped dead. But the ordeal was not finished. Once again the gun fired. The pastor was shot anyway.
The Victor’s Crown of Perseverance
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown” (Revelation 3:11)
Remember, the real test is not how we start, but how we finish.
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12)
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!” (Philippians 4:1)
Demas is mentioned three times in the New Testament:
“Demas and Luke, my fellow workers” (Philemon 1:24).
“Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings” (Colossians 4:14)
“For Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica” (2 Timothy 4:10)
Notice the downward flow: he is working closely with Paul; then, he is mentioned with no appellation. Finally, he has deserted Paul.
Three points on a graph describe his downward spiral away from Jesus! He started well, but ended poorly.
We find it easy to love this present age. We make fine beginnings, but then some comfortable corner of this present age invites us, and our Christian profession lapses, and our faith grows formal, and we do not amount to much in the end as Christians. If I should accuse some of us of being Judas, we would be indignant. But Demas – how many of us have been that!
Why did you do it, Demas? The answer: He loved this present age. Rome was so appealing. So many worthy activities he desired. Such power. Such opportunity. He couldn’t resist.
However, of all the surprises in history, can we think of anything more surprising, with Nero on his throne and Paul in his prison, that the gospel for which Paul stood would outlast the Roman Empire? The person who has faith in God expects that to happen. So, even if it takes a lifetime, he carries on.
So we name our dogs Nero and our children Paul.
Staying power is commonly associated with profound resources of interior strength that replenish our faith.
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne they lay their crowns before the throne and say:
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11)
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name that the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father” (http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?t=niv&q=php+2Philippians 2:9-11).
So why should we work to earn heavenly crowns? Because we will lay them at Jesus’ feet!
Kathi, I hope this helps to answer your question.
Love, Roger
Is everyone equal in heaven? What does the Bible teach?
All people are equal in worth, but they differ in gifting and performance. God is the creator of diversity, and diversity means “inequality” of gifting (1 Corinthians 12:14-20). Because God promises to reward people differently according to their differing levels of faithfulness in this life, we should not expect equality of possessions and positions in Heaven.
If everyone were equal in Heaven in all respects, it would mean we’d have no role models, no heroes, no one to look up to, no thrill of hearing wise words from someone we deeply admire. I’m not equal to Hudson Taylor, Susanna Wesley, George Mueller, or C. S. Lewis. I want to follow their examples, but I don’t need to be their equals.
There’s no reason to believe we’ll all be equally tall or strong or that we’ll have the same gifts, talents, or intellectual capacities. If we all had the same gifts, they wouldn’t be special. If you can do some things better than I can, and I than you, then we’ll have something to offer each other.
We live in a culture that worships equality, but we err when we reduce equality to sameness. It’s illogical to assume everyone in Heaven will be able to compose a concerto with equal skill or be able to throw a ball as far as everyone else. In a perfect world, Adam was bigger and stronger than Eve, and Eve had beauty, sensitivities, and abilities Adam didn’t. In other words, diversity—not conformity—characterizes a perfect world.
Scripture is clear that we’ll have different rewards and positions in Heaven, according to our faithful service in this life. Since everyone will be happy, what could be the nature of these differences? Jonathan Edwards said, “The saints are like so many vessels of different sizes cast into a sea of happiness where every vessel is full: this is eternal life, for a man ever to have his capacity filled. But after all ’tis left to God’s sovereign pleasure, ’tis his prerogative to determine the largeness of the vessel.”[i]
A pint jar and a quart jar can both be full, but the larger jar contains more. Likewise, in Heaven all of us will be full of joy, but some may have a larger capacity for joy, having been stretched through their dependence on God in this life. John Bunyan said it well: “He who is most in the bosom of God, and who so acts for him here, he is the man who will be best able to enjoy most of God in the kingdom of heaven.”
Our different personalities, rewards, positions, and names in Heaven (see Revelation 2:17) speak not only of our individuality but also of how God finds unique reasons to love us. I love my wife and daughters, and I love different things about each.
We’re like unique instruments, played by an orchestra to produce one beautiful sound, rich in its variety. We all have our unique part in glorifying God. We bring something singular and vital to the concert of praise.
www.epm.org. Used by permission.
1. Don’t go to a church potluck dinner with something that is not homemade. The church ladies will spot a Stouffer’s lasagna in a New-York minute. They will know at once you can’t cook. Find five never-fail recipes and let your mother make them. If all else fails, bring a salad or rolls.
2. Don’t be fake. Don’t wear the “church face.” Fighting like rabid dogs on the way to church and popping out of the car with your happy “praise the Lord” grins doesn’t fool anyone. It will teach everyone in your family to be superficial, defensive and hypocritical. The more real and vulnerable you are, the better the congregants identify with you and respect you for being honest.
3. Don’t trade ministry for spirituality. The Bible is not just a book to help you teach, it’s to make you spiritual. If every time you open your Bible, it’s for a sermon outline or teaching lesson, God can never change YOU. Let His life in you transform you into a powerful, anointed leader.
4. Don’t expect your children to be perfect. They aren’t. Get over it. They are normal kids. If you fill their lives with unrealistic expectations (your own and every nosey church member), you will just make them mad, hurt or rebellious. When I failed to protect my older, more sensitive daughter from unwarranted criticism, she became wounded and withdrew. When my youngest daughter felt “pastor kid pressure” she refused to conform and wore her bunny slippers to church for a year. Fortunately, we learned to comfort them, befriend them and help them filter which expectations were appropriate and which should be ignored. Every pastor’s kid needs support, comfort, acceptance and affirmation. You want them to grow up and be launched into the world loving church, not leaving church.
5. Never be surprised when the worship leader has an affair. (Just kidding.) But some high-profile church leader will fall into sin.“Wait for it….waaaiiit for it….” When a front-line, up-front guy or gal succumbs to temptation and devastates, disappoints and disillusions the unsuspecting congregation, you can recover. Remember, Satan is creative. He is always going to go after the “big guns.” At this point, the pastor has two choices: to cover it up, which is stupid, unscriptural and destructive, or to deal with the situation honestly and openly, using biblical wisdom and church discipline while dealing compassionately with the couple through counseling, patience and forgiveness. That does not mean that the church and the individuals will not suffer consequences. We live in a sinful world. But God has given us spiritual weapons to wage spiritual war.
6. On a lighter note, don’t push the envelope by wearing mini-skirts, leopard-skin pants or thigh-high boots, no matter how cute they are. Yes, I was in the church rock band and it was tempting. Bad idea. Be modest. Don’t wear clothes that are too sexy, too casual, or too expensive. Let the congregation notice your “beautiful, godly inside” first. (A little lipstick never hurt, especially if you have chapped lips.)
7. NEVER, Never, no never take up an offense for your husband. That is ministry suicide. Bitterness will destroy you. You are not helping him. If you get mad, he gets madder. Your hubby needs comfort, love and a safe place at home. Every time I’ve been cruelly hurt by a church member, I can’t stay mad if I pray for them, repay their meanness with kindness, and wait for God’s time to heal the hurt. (This principle is the “heaping coals” principle and it has never failed me. In 36 years of ministry at the same church, I couldn’t have lived without it!)
8. When you or your husband screws up, (and you will often-remember, you are not Jesus) admit it. Own it. Don’t explain it away. The best advice we ever heard in this regard is from a dear friend and associate pastor in our church. He said, “Roger, it’s just about this time that a pastor will be tempted to do something really stupid.” Don’t run away, defend yourself from the pulpit, or resign. Learn from your mistakes. Listen to honest criticism. Be humble. Don’t run away from trouble.
9. Don’t be naïve. Expect the unexpected. Satan is relentless and creative. One valuable principle we’ve learned is that we must ALWAYS be prepared for hassle, interference and obstacles before God is getting ready to do something amazing. The worse the ammo, the greater the blessing that will follow. So don’t give up. Be wise as a serpent and innocent as a dove, and pray your guts out.
10. Don’t try do ministry alone. You really need to depend on Jesus. But you really need other people too. Every pastor and wife needs a support system. We have counseled thousands of pastors and wives, and they are some of the loneliest people we know because they are self-reliant and have never learned to receive. You can’t give what you haven’t received. You’ll be tapped out pretty quickly. Find a godly, mature, safe friend or family member that you can be honest with and that will comfort, affirm and support you. God created all of us to be relational.
11. Don’t miss the opportunity to have some family fun. Learn to laugh. Don’t let your pastor-family become exhausted, dull, bitter or cynical. Set boundaries and plan to celebrate and recuperate. Life is too short, and your kids will love you for it.
12. And finally, don’t forget that God is God and you are not. Every time I fear, falter or freak out about what’s going on in my family and my flock, I remember that both belong to God. I am just His servant, and He is truly trustworthy.