What meaning have you found? What truth do you claim? For what purpose are you living? Life itself raises these questions. How can anyone help asking “what” and “why” when surrounded by an infinite sky? —Ron James
The horse ride that I had taken with my family through the wilderness of Texas was nearly a perfect day. For six hours, I roamed with those I loved through the creation, swept along on a horse of great strength through adventures unknown. When we got back to the camp, we were just about spent. It was almost a perfect day… almost.
What would have topped it off would have been an awards ceremony for us! Now, that would have been the perfect day. But that’s crazy, you say. Why in the world would I get rewarded for something my friend prepared and a horse who did all the work?
Yeah, it would be crazy… but that’s what will happen to each of us on “the Day” we stand before the judgment seat of Christ and look into His face for the first time. The good that He has done through us will be our reward. The worthless will be burned away forever.
If anyone builds on this foundation [Jesus Christ] using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. (1 Corinthians 3:12-13)
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)
How could this be? Why do we deserve to be rewarded with anything? Jesus saves us; the Father prepares good works in advance for us to do. The Holy Spirit tells us what they are, and then He empowers us to produce fruits through us, and then, when all that’s done, He rewards US for all that stuff HE did.
It’s called grace, my friend. It’s called grace!
Father, I thank You for Your biblical truth. I find great joy in the idea of You rewarding me for the work You did through me. Your grace is amazing. Amen.