Hey Friends,
Are you ready for that day? It almost sounds ominous doesn’t it – that day? In the first chapter of II Timothy, Paul writes about a man he led to the Lord. His name was Onesiphorus. He helped and cared for Paul and so Paul prayed for him about that day. What day was he talking about?
I am convinced that day refers to the Bema Seat of Judgment. That day when Onesiphorus would stand before the resurrected Lord and his works would be judged. Here is where we will receive our rewards, if we get any. The Canon is clear – not every believer will receive rewards. Salvation is by grace and rewards are based on what we do with what He has given us.
This is one reason why I push so hard about your potential because that is what you will be judged against. Since the Lord placed our potential in us, He knows what it is. There will be no bluff in heaven. Jesus warns us many times to “lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven.” The only way to do this is to live with an eternal view. It is easier for an eternity eye to give, serve and love others, knowing he or she is laying up treasures in heaven.
For those of us with a short view, here and now only, it is hard to give and serve for we are focused on the temporal. I wonder how many in the church today think anything about the judgment? Do we think that when we give, love, serve and do for others we are investing in our rewards? We will have treasure in heaven. I guess most of us like the treasure here and now, and we will regret it later.
What do you think?
I have your back,
Pastor Chris
I know that folks debate this, but I’ll state it anyway. You can receive God’s truth briefly and never have it take good root in your life. If “Christians” are not investing significant time, effort, and money into the Kingdom of God (relative to what you are provided by God), they are either very immature Christians or more likely not Christians at all. The parable of the sower and the parable of the talents both emphasize this. If the “deceiptfulness of wealth” pulls your attention permanently off a commitment to the Kingdom of God, then you’re not a Christian and you aren’t going to heaven. If you take what God gives you and “bury it in the dirt” instead of investing in God’s work, then you aren’t a Christian and you aren’t going to heaven. Yes, I think all Christians have problems with “divided attention” where we concern ourselves with ourselves and with God, but that’s not what I’m talking about.
Our rewards in Heaven may depend on our works, but a “workless” life doesn’t even get into Heaven. To me, it’s just like a marriage (which is a Biblical metaphor of our relationship with God). The “works” aren’t what make a loving marriage, but “works” will be the natural consequence of a loving marriage.
Does this make sense? This is not a rhetorical question. Please correct me where I’m wrong.
Andy Kercher.