5. THE BELIEVER’S REWARDS

5. THE BELIEVER’S REWARDS

Romans 8:1 promises that there is “no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” We do not need to fear punishment for our sins, because Christ has paid the price for them. Because of Christ’s work on the cross, those who have accepted His gift of salvation will spend eternity in heaven, and not in hell.

While we will not be judged for our sins (a judgment Christ already took for us), immediately after the rapture, we will face a judgment in which we will be rewarded according to our works on earth. Are you ready for this?

1. In 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, verse 11 tells us that the foundation we are to build on is Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18). It is based upon our Hero, our Savior, our Friend, and our coming King.

2. The different building materials listed in 1 Corinthians 3:12 are

(a). Gold, silver, precious stones. The quality materials of Jesus represent dedicated, spiritual service to build the church.

(b). Wood, hay, straw. These are inferior materials implying shallow activity with no eternal value. They do not refer to activities that are evil

3. According to 1 Corinthians 3:13 “the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.” Second Corinthians 5:10 indicates that the wood, hay, and straw are “worthless” things that don’t stand the test of judgment fire. Fire refers to the evaluation of believers’ works (Revelation 2:18, 19; 3:18; 22:12). It proves the quality of gold, but it consumes wood, hay, and stubble.

4. According to 1 Corinthians 3:14 “If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.” All that which has been accomplished in His power and for His glory will survive. This is only to determine eternal reward.

5. The warning given in 1 Corinthians 3:15 is “If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” No matter how much is worthless, no believer will forfeit salvation. Some “good work” is actually self-centered aggrandizement. The true value of such “service” will become obvious to all in the day of God’s judgment (Revelation 3:17, 18).

6. The works that will receive rewards are called “good works.” We find many examples of good works all through the Bible, but there are some specific passages well worth paying attention to.

7. The good works that we find mentioned in Romans 12:9-18 are:

(a) “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” Love is the supreme New Testament virtue, which centers completely on the needs and welfare of the one loved and does whatever necessary to meet those needs (cf. Matthew 22:37–39; Galatians 5:22; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:16; 1Corinthians 13). The Christian avoids “every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Christian love is to be shown purely and sincerely, without self-centeredness or guile.

(b) “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”  We are to be devoted to other Christians with a family sort of love, not based on personal attraction or desirability (1 Thessalonians 4:9). This quality is the primary way the world can recognize us as followers of Christ (John 13:35; 1 John 3:10, 17–19); also showing genuine appreciation and admiration for fellow believers by putting them first (Philippians 2:3).

(c) “Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” Whatever is worth doing in the Christian life is valuable enough to be done with enthusiasm and care (John 9:4; Galatians 6:10; Hebrews 6:10, 11). Sloth and indifference not only prevent good, but allow evil to prosper (Proverbs 18:9; Ephesians 5:15, 16). Fervent in spirit means literally “to boil in spirit.” This phrase suggests having plenty of heat to produce adequate, productive energy, but not so much heat that one goes out of control (Acts 18:25; 1 Corinthians 9:26; Galatians 6:9).

(d) “Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.” The believer who is constantly praying will be rejoicing in hope of Christ’s return and our ultimate redemption; being patient (Greek, hupomenō), or, enduring, in tribulation.

(e) “Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” Distributing is from a Greek word that means commonality, partnership, or mutual sharing, which is often translated “fellowship,” and “communion” (Acts 2:42, 44; 4:32; 1 Timothy 6:17, 18). Given to hospitality is literally “pursuing the love of strangers” (Hebrews 13:2)—not merely entertaining one’s friends. Church leaders should be role models of this virtue (Titus 1:8).

(f) “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” As we relate to non-Christians, we are to respond in love to our persecutors, to live at peace with unbelievers, and to do well even to those who treat us badly. Treat enemies as if they were your friends (Luke 6:27–33; 23:34; Matthew 5:44; Acts 7:60; 1 Peter 2:21–23).

(g) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. We are to be glad in the blessings, honor, and welfare of others—no matter what one’s own situation (1 Corinthians 12:26; 2 Corinthians 2:3), and to be sensitive or compassionate to the hardships and sorrows of others (Colossians 3:12; James 5:11).

(h) “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.” True believers are not to be impartial (James 2:1–4), or haughty with self-seeking pride (Philippians 2:3). Christians are not to have conceit or feelings of superiority toward fellow believers.

(i) “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” The Old Testament law of “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” was a standard for the collective society to use to enforce good conduct among people (1 Thessalonians 5:15; Exodus 21:23, 24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21; 1 Peter 3:8, 9). Christians are to respect what is intrinsically proper and honest and have the right behavior when they are around others, especially unbelievers.

8. According to Ephesians 4:29-32 we are not to:

(a) “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” The word for “corrupt” refers to that which is foul or rotten, such as spoiled fruit or putrid meat. Foul language of any sort should never pass a Christian’s lips, because it is totally out of character with his new life in Christ (Colossians 3:8; James 3:6–8). The Christian’s speech should be instructive, encouraging, uplifting, (even when it must be corrective), and suited for the moment (Proverbs 15:23; 25:11; 24:26). Because believers have been saved by grace and kept by grace, they should live and speak with grace. Our Lord set the standard (Luke 4:22).

(b) “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” God is grieved when His children refuse to change the old ways of sin for those righteous ways of the new life. Such responses by the Holy Spirit indicate He is a person. His personhood is also indicated by personal pronouns (John 14:17; 16:13), His personal care of believers (John 14:16, 26; 15:26), His intellect (1 Corinthians 2:11), feelings (Romans 8:27), will (1 Corinthians 12:11), speaking (Acts 13:2), convicting (John 16:8–11), interceding (Romans 8:26), guiding (John 16:13), glorifying Christ (John 16:14), and serving God (Acts 16:6, 7). The Holy Spirit is the guarantor of eternal redemption in Christ for those who believe in Him.

(c) We are to “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.” Bitterness reflects a smoldering resentment. Wrath has to do with rage, the passion of a moment. “Anger” is a more internal, deep hostility. Clamor is the outcry of strife out of control. Slander is evil speaking. Malice is the general Greek term for evil, the root of all vices.

(d) “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Those who have been forgiven so much by God should, of all people, forgive the relatively small offenses against them by others. The most graphic illustration of this truth is the parable of Matthew 18:21–35. The new life is tenderhearted, shows itself in acts of kindness, and is ready to forgive wrongs suffered from others.

9. The encouragement that we are given about doing good in Galatians 6:9 is that “in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Good works are an important fruit of the life of faith (5:5) that God has planned for each believer (Eph. 2:8–10). This expression describes not only a life that endures forever but, primarily, the highest quality of living that one can experience

10. The knowledge that we will one day be rewarded should influence us in the highest capacity to serve Christ and share the Gospel to whomever we come in contact with.

All Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible, © 1979, 1980, 1982, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

©2013 Kenute P. Curry. All rights reserved.