As Christians, ALL of our works will be judged—not for our salvation—but to determine which works will merit eternal rewards. Each day that goes by is a God-given opportunity to gain eternal rewards. But, we must remember that we can never get back to yesterday. Yesterday’s opportunities are gone. Do we know what we may have lost forever?
How do we know which of our works will earn eternal rewards and which works are worthless?
The Bible says:
“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
I Corinthians 3:11-15
As Christians, the things we do in this life are only carried with us into eternity if they are built on the foundation of Christ. What does that mean? The things we do for God’s glory; that is, that result in the PRAISE, GLORY, and HONOR of CHRIST are the things that will survive the test of God’s fire and last for eternity.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
I Peter 1:3-7
The works we do with the SOLE MOTIVATION for glorifying God, are the works that last beyond our mortality. The works we do to glorify ourselves or to bring us worldly gain—are limited and will NOT survive beyond this world.
Earthly trophies are the rewards for earthly accomplishments; Heavenly trophies are rewards for bringing glory to God.
The everlasting rewards represent the weight and meaning of our relationship with God—what He does through us while we are on earth. Not only does God give us the opportunity to earn rewards in Heaven, but even while we are here on earth, in the process of living for His glory, He provides us with joy, peace, and wonder as we allow God to work IN us and THROUGH us. Wow—unbelievable, right? The closer we are to God during this life, the more thankful we are for Him, the more satisfied our life is in Him, and the more we have to celebrate—even while we walk the hardships.
The rewards we will receive from God are the culmination of our earthly story. Our salvation in Christ and what we did for His glory forms the foundation for our heavenly story. Allow God to guide your path for HIS glory!
“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
(Psalms 16:11)
What you do today matters—for eternity.
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