God's Eternal Rewards: Understanding Divine Recognition and Remuneration 3 July 2024

…He will receive his reward. - 1 Corinthians 3:14 NIV Scripture 1: "...The fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss..." - 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 Scripture 2: "No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age." - Mark 10:29-30 NIV Scripture 3: "When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." - Luke 14:13-14 NIV These Scriptures clearly teach that God rewards your deeds. Some rewards will come in this life, and some will come in the next. Perhaps you find yourself saying, "I served God faithfully, so why am I still struggling? Doesn’t God notice or care?" Yes, God notices and He cares. But He doesn’t promise that the work you do for Him now will always result in immediate gain. Many of the rewards God has for us are so great that it will take eternity to appreciate and enjoy them. Jesus said, "Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name… will by no means lose his reward." - Mark 9:41 NKJV No deed for God will go unrewarded – even a cup of cold water or a prayer in the middle of the night. “…He will receive his reward.” - 1 Corinthians 3:14 NIV How will God evaluate and reward what you did for Him during your lifetime here on earth? Based on three tests: 1. The Relationship Test: The life God rewards is not a life of performance apart from a relationship with Him. Unless you abide in Him and obey His commandments, you will not bear fruit for Him. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5 NIV. He commended the church at Ephesus for their good works, then turned around and condemned them because they hadn’t kept their love for Him alive. "I know your deeds, your hard work... Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first." - Revelation 2:2-4 NIV 2. The Motive Test: Jesus said to the Pharisees, "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." - Matthew 6:1 NIV. Note the words "to be seen." What should our motive be? To serve God and bring glory to Him! Even simple things like eating and drinking can do that: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV. Your most religious actions are worthless if your motive is to enhance your own ego. 3. The Love Test: Christ said, "Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great..." - Luke 6:35 NIV. When it comes to good works, why is always more important than what. The Bible says, "Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully." - 2 John 1:8 NIV. Keep your heart pure and your motives right! God notices and values your faithfulness. Even if the rewards aren't immediate, they are sure and eternal.