Our Eternal Rewards

March 27, 2009
Our Eternal Rewards
1 Corinthians 3:5-15

The Lord is not only our Savior and Judge; He is also our Rewarder. God will generously recompense us for our deeds which survive the fire of His judgment. These rewards can be for something as simple as giving someone a cup of cold water (Matt. 10:40-41) or as momentous as dying a martyr's death for Christ. Nothing will be overlooked by our God.

Matthew 25:21 describes these rewards as praise from the Lord, increased responsibility in the kingdom, and entrance into the joy of Christ. Scripture also speaks of several crowns which God will give to those who have faithfully lived for Jesus rather than for themselves. In heaven, we will have the opportunity to cast them before Christ's throne in worship (Rev. 4:10-11).

Daniel 12:3 says that those with insight will shine like the brightness of the heavens. The more obediently we have lived for Christ, the greater will be our capacity to reflect His glory for all eternity.

Our greatest reward will be the Lord Himself. We'll have a relationship with Him that will be absolutely perfect. No sin will ever come between us. As much as we enjoy the Lord on earth, our relationship will prove even richer and more satisfying in heaven.

What we do in this life will determine to a great degree how God blesses us in the life to come. If we live for Him now, we will have the privilege of laying our crowns at His feet. Since no one will want to come to His throne empty-handed, we should view each day on earth as an opportunity to invest for eternity.

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