Good morning,
Last week we studied the Judgment Seat of Christ. Now we will look at the rewards to be given at that time.
Rewards
God will give rewards in heaven at the Bema, or the judgment seat of Christ, based on our faithfulness in service to Him, “ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) The rewards will show the reality of our sonship, ”Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:7) and the justice of God, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Hebrews 6:10). God will give rewards in heaven in order to fulfill the law of sowing and reaping, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.“ (Galatians 6:7–9) and make good on His promise that our labor in the Lord is not in vain, ”Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
One reason for the rewards in heaven is the fact that Jesus shares His reward with us. Paul said, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Our lives are “hidden” with Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1–4). We die with Him and we live with Him and we share in His joy, “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:” (Romans 6:8), “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:21) In heaven we will dwell with Him, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1–3). Our lives are inextricably linked with Christ’s. The reward He receives is shared with all of us: “If we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Romans 8:17).
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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