Good Deeds, Bad Deeds: What Deeds Will Be Judged?
While salvation is a gift from God that all believers receive, there are also rewards for faithfulness and a loss of rewards for unfaithfulness. Because of this, our ambition should be to please Christ (2 Corinthians 5:9-10). As our righteous judge, Jesus will look at our deeds and reward us based not just on external service but on inward devotion. He will judge our deeds, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). Good deeds are those that have eternal value and are accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit. Bad deeds do not have lasting value and are done through our own volition and without the Holy Spirit’s power. Throughout the Bible, we see example after example of deeds that pleased God. Look at the woman with the alabaster vial of costly perfume who didn’t consider the cost when she poured the expensive oil over Jesus’ head (Matthew 26:7-10) or Enoch who never experienced death but was taken straight to Heaven because he pleased God (Hebrews 11:5-6). Jesus talks about deeds in Matthew 10:40-42 when He says that we are to treat other believers well, and then we will be rewarded. In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he instructs him to teach others to do good, be rich in good works and be generous and ready to share (1 Timothy 6:18). Deeds Can Diminish Rewards Not every believer will receive the same reward in Heaven. At the judgment seat of Christ, there will be those who suffer loss. However, regardless of the outcome on the judgment seat, believers can be assured that they will not lose their salvation. Don Stewart, writing for blueletterbible.org, illustrates this concept as follows: “Let us say you have recently built a new two story house. While on the second floor, you smell smoke. Looking downstairs you see that the first floor is on fire. You jump out the second story window to save your life. You then watch your new house burn to the ground. Obviously you will have mixed emotions. You’re thankful that you were able to jump and save your life, but you sad because your new house is destroyed. This is similar to those believers who are saved but have nothing to show for it. They squandered their opportunities to live for Christ yet they are enjoying the benefits of Heaven with Jesus.” The Bible also tells us that believers’ rewards can be diminished for not adhering to the truth and entertaining those who deceive (2 John 1:7-11). Sin, in general, can diminish our rewards. The choices we make now determine what rewards we receive in Heaven. Crowns for the Victors All who experience the judgment seat of Christ will possess the privileges and honors as children of God. Jesus tells us that He will acknowledge those who have acknowledged Him before the Father. His acknowledgment includes rewarding us in proportion to the faithfulness we show in life. The Greek word translated to “crowns” in English refers to wreaths of garlands placed on the heads of dignitaries and victorious military officers’ to honor them. Five crowns are mentioned in the Bible. The first crown is the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7-8) which is given to those who don’t allow earthly things to distract them to the point that they forget that their true citizenship is in Heaven. These victors look forward to Christ’s Second Coming and live holy lives in expectancy of His return. The second crown is the crown of victory (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). This crown is given to those who exercise self-discipline in their spiritual race and refuse to let their flesh dominate their life. The third crown is the crown of life (James 1:12, Revelation 2:10) given to those who persevere under trial and are faithful no matter the difficulties and persecutions they face in this life. The fourth crown is the crown of rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, Philippians 4:1), often called the soul winner crown. This crown is awarded for bringing people to Christ. The fifth crown is the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:1, 4), often called the Pastor’s crown because it is a reward given to those who shepherd others. Other Rewards in Heaven Believers will receive other rewards in Heaven. Some believers will receive thrones (Revelation 20:4, Matthew 19:27-30), others will be put in charge of many things (Matthew 25:21). All of us will receive new names, a name which only He knows (Revelation 2:17, 3:12). We will have jobs serving God (Matthew 6:20). Rewards are a wonderful benefit of serving Christ here on earth. However, they never should be the reason we serve Him. The reason we serve Christ should be because we want to please Him above all else – if loving Him and serving Him means we get rewards in Heaven that is an added benefit! Amen!
The Four W’s
God knew what this world would bring. He knew that we would have situations where we would feel weary, weak, woeful, and worried. He knew we would need warnings, instruction, encouragement, and guidance.
Will Christians Be Judged?
When we think of judgment in the Bible, we often think of the fiery pits of Hell and gnashing of teeth. However, “to judge” in the Bible has two different meanings: one to condemn and the other to give out rewards. Judges can decide whether you deserve punishment or freedom, a blue ribbon or a red one. Not all judgment is about punishment. Some is about reward.
Rain
“Rain, rain go away come again another day”. I’d say most of us have heard or even sang those lyrics at some point in our lives. During a recent rain shower, that was pretty much my attitude, “rain go away!” I started to complain, “ugh rain!” or something to that effect and while I was in the middle of complaining, I had a nudge from the Holy Spirit, reminding me of the adage “April showers bring May flowers” and to be thankful for the rain. Would you laugh if I told you I’ve recently asked for rain? My husband and I put out two hundred pounds of grass seed and fertilizer. Not to mention planted a variety of flowers. All of which need rain. I enjoy flowers immensely. The different colors, shapes, smells, each bloom being beautiful and unique. I look at them as little treasures. And yet will still complain sometimes when I need to water them throughout the season, wishing ironically, it would rain. Let’s think about what rain does. It cleanses. It nourishes. It helps flowers bloom. It helps crops grow. It relieves drought. And much more… The Bible speaks of rain in various scriptures to help remind us, to not only be thankful for rain, but to show us tangible ways rain is needed. Hebrews 6:7 “For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God.” Isaiah 55:10 “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,” Zechariah 10:1 “Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.” Psalm 147:8 “Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.” Did certain words jump off the page for you like they did me? “Who provides?” “Bud, flourish?” What about Zechariah 10:1 when it says to ask the Lord for rain? Remember the adage mentioned, ‘April showers bring May flowers?’ The rain helps nourish the soil so the flowers bloom. The same way a rainy season may cleanse our hearts and help us let go of unforgiveness or when we sit silently for a moment, listening to the rainfall and hear the voice of God or when the rainy season starts to clear and we see the same situation with a fresh perspective. When we find ourselves in a season of rain, let’s be encouraged that those seasons help us grow. Now, there’s the crux in the rainy season. It’s up to us what our attitude is while we’re waiting for the beauty of the bloom. We can complain about the rain or make the decision to keep an attitude of praise, knowing that God is intentional with every raindrop and that our bloom won’t happen without it. No rain, no flowers. Lord, I praise You for the rain and thank you for all it provides. When I find myself in a rainy season may I trust that there is a purpose. You alone create the beauty of the bloom within our hearts and lives, and it is worth it. Hallelujah grace like rain! May this be a constant praise of my mouth and heart. In Jesus Name. Amen This weeks playlist: Grace Like Rain Todd Agnew Fresh Chance River Valley Worship Clean Natalie Grant
The Rapture: But When?
There are many views on when the Rapture will occur. Some think it will happen before the Tribulation. Others believe it will happen mid-way through the Tribulation, and still others at the end of the Tribulation.[1] All three opinions are scripturally based; however, the main difference in interpretation is determined by whether the scriptures are taken metaphorically or literally. Using the literal approach and taking into account all that the Bible says on the Rapture, we conclude that the Rapture happens before the Tribulation. Christ Promised the Church’s Deliverance If the Rapture occurs mid-tribulation or at the end of the Tribulation, that would mean that the Church would be forced to endure God’s wrath. Yet, Paul tells us that Jesus will rescue us from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10), and Jesus himself promises that He will deliver the Church from the hour of testing (Revelation 3:10). Christians Are Not Appointed to Wrath In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Paul reassures the Thessalonians that they, as believers, will not experience the Tribulation. He goes into great detail about the Day of the Lord, the time when Jesus comes to judge unbelievers at the end of the seven-year Tribulation. He assures the Thessalonians that they will not experience this “day” because they no longer walk in darkness but are children of the light destined for salvation. From this Scripture, we can be reassured that we, as children of the light, will not experience the Tribulation since it occurs before the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord Has Not Yet Come In 2nd Thessalonians, we see that the Thessalonians were concerned that the Day of the Lord had already come and that they had missed the Rapture. They were experiencing persecution, making them believe reports that the Day of the Lord had begun. Paul reassures them that the Day of the Lord had not yet come because before it does, the apostasy by the man of lawlessness must occur (2 Thessalonians 2:1-8). This apostasy is described by Paul as a religious rebellion where the man of lawlessness holds himself out as God. Daniel prophesies about this same man and event in Daniel 9:26-27, which begins the 7 year Tribulation. We refer to this man of lawlessness as the Antichrist. The Church is Absent In Revelation’s Account of Tribulation The first three chapters of Revelation mention the Church seventeen times. However, when the Spirit of the Lord shows John what is to unfold during the Tribulation, the Church is not mentioned. We don’t see the Church again until Chapter 19, when we see her return to earth with Christ during His Glorious Appearing. The only logical explanation for the Church’s absence in John’s account is that the Church isn’t part of the Tribulation; Jesus Raptured it before the time of testing began. The Rapture is Imminent The return of Christ is imminent. Imminent means it is ready to take place, or it is happening soon. There is nothing else that must take place before His return for the Church. Christ could return at any moment. Scripture after Scripture admonishes us to watch, be ready, and look for Jesus to come at any time. Hebrews 10:24-25, 37 tells us that day is drawing near and in a little while, Jesus will come and not delay. James 5:7-9 tells us that the Lord is standing at the door. And Jesus himself tells us in Revelation three times that He is coming quickly (Revelation 3:11; 22:7; 22:20)! Regardless of whether you take the pre-tribulation approach, mid-tribulation approach, or post-tribulation approach, the Bible’s admonishment is the same: BE READY for HIS return! Scripture details what we should be doing while we wait for His return. It says that we should turn to God (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10), stimulate one another to love and do good deeds, not forsake meeting together, and encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25). It also admonishes us to be of sound judgment and sober spirit and to conduct ourselves with holiness (1 Peter 4:7, 2 Peter 3:11-18). And last but not least, to fix our hope on Jesus (1 John 3:2-3). [1]
Right
At some point most people enjoy being right. But sometimes, our focus is more on being right than loving well. God calls us to be reconciled.