One of the things I feel I have picked up from the Holy Spirit is that it will really be “worth your while” to fully surrender your entire life over to God the Father and go with His call on your life rather than you deciding what you are going to do with your life.
The reason for this is that there will be some incredible rewards in Heaven being given out in heaven for those who are willing to do good works for the Lord while living down here on this earth.
Good works will not get us into heaven, as the Bible specifically tells us that we can only be saved by grace through our faith in Jesus Christ.
But being willing to do good works for the Lord in this life will bring us certain types of rewards as you will see in the Scripture verses I will list in this article.
As I have said numerous times in many of our other articles, each Christian must make a big personal decision as to how they will live their life on this earth.
You can either choose to fully surrender your entire life over to God the Father and let Him decide what your divine destiny is going to be in this life, or you can choose to do things your own way and completely run your own life.
Most Christians take the latter approach. They do not ask God what their vocations or jobs should be in this life. They do not ask God who they should be marrying in this life. They do not ask God what their real goals and aspirations should be in this life.
In fact, the only time they really approach God is when they get in some kind of trouble and they then need some type of miracle from God to get them bailed out of a bad situation.
Most people do not like to be told what to do, how to do it, or how to get to where they are going. They want the pride and challenge of trying to do everything on their own without any of God’s help or guidance.
We have another article in our site titled, “The Full Surrender.” The Bible tells us exactly how God wants us to live this earthly life – and that is under a full and complete surrender to God the Father.
Only God knows what is best for you on all matters – you do not! Only God knows what is best for you on all matters – you do not! Only God’s knowledge and wisdom is perfect in all matters – yours is not!
Only God knows what you will be best at in this life – you do not! Only God knows who your true soul mate should be in this life – you do not!
And not only does God have full knowledge on all of the above for your life, but He is also the only One who can safely guide you to reach the goals that He has set up for you to seek after in this life.
And the only way to be able to get God’s full protection and full guidance for your life is to fully surrender your entire life over to Him and let Him place you in His perfect will for your life.
However, there is one small catch to really being able to make a complete full surrender to God the Father. We live in the most blessed country in the entire world. There are many smart and intelligent Christians.
As I said in my article on the Unjust Steward in the Miscellaneous Section of our site, when many Christians are faced with what the Bible says about making a full and complete surrender of their entire lives over to God the Father, they really have a hard time in doing it.
They are afraid if they fully surrender everything over to God, that they will lose their one and only chance to make it big in this lifetime. They are afraid that God may call them to do a job that may pay them only pennies a day.
To those of you whose hands this article may fall into, and to everyone else who may question the most important decision they will ever make in this lifetime other than receiving God’s gift of eternal salvation through His Son Jesus Christ, this article, I hope, will try and convince you as to why you should fully surrender your entire life over to God the Father.
Per what I feel the Holy Spirit has conveyed to me – it will really be “worth your while” to fully surrender your entire life over to God the Father.
Why? Because the Bible says that God will be rewarding each person for the work they have done for Him while living down here on this earth! And when God gives out His personal rewards in heaven, you can bet your bottom dollar that these rewards will end up being bigger and better than any rewards that you could possibly get down here.
There is one major revelation that all Christians really need to grab a hold of and that is this:
This life is for just a very short period of time compared to the eternal time frame that is operating in heaven. Heaven is for eternity – our earthly life is not!
The time we will spend in heaven, and then eventually the New Heaven and New Earth, will be for the rest of our eternal lives – forever and ever.
This earthly life is not even a blink of an eye compared to the eternal time frame that is operating in heaven.
So ask yourself, do you want to call all of your own shots and do what you want to do in this life – all for earthly wealth that will completely perish and pass away the second you die and cross over into heaven?
Or do you want to go with God’s perfect will for your life, accomplish the missions and goals that He will want you to accomplish for Him in this life, and then receive your full and final just rewards that will last forever once you enter into heaven?
What does your natural common sense and intelligence tell you as to which one of these two would be the better option? Jesus Himself said that what does it profit a man to gain all the wealth of this world, but then lose his own soul in the process of acquiring all of that wealth.
Jesus says that not everyone who calls Him “Lord, Lord” will be entering into the kingdom of heaven – but only those who are willing to do the “will” of God the Father!
Many Christians are not really aware of some of the verses in the Bible that are talking about God really rewarding His people for the good works they can do for Him while living down here. I will go ahead and give you some of these key verses in this article.
The Bible also says that crowns will be given to some of His people for different levels of service. And when the Bible says that crowns will be given, I believe this is literal interpretation, and that crowns will really be given by God for special types of service.
I also believe that God can reward you with some incredible blessings while you are still down here on this earth. However, the rewards I will be keying on are the rewards that you will be receiving when you enter into heaven.
These are the rewards that will really matter. These are the rewards that will last you for the rest of your eternal life. A lot of what God can reward you with down here on this earth are still perishable rewards. You cannot take some of these blessings with you when you die and cross over.
Another key insight I feel that the Holy Spirit has given to me about God the Father is that is He is a God of maximum intensity. Everything about Him, His ways, and His personality is all maximum intensity. His love for all of us is maximum intensity.
His goodness, mercy, compassion, and understanding are all maximum intensity. If there is one revelation you will come away with after reading about God the Father in the Old Testament – is that He is God of maximum intensity! All of the emotions within God the Father are of maximum intensity.
So if everything about God the Father is of maximum intensity, then it is only logical to conclude that any reward that you will be receiving from Him when you enter into heaven will be of “maximum intensity.” As a result, these rewards will completely surpass any rewards, blessings, or earthly wealth that you can get down here on this earth. There will be no comparison whatsoever!
This is why it will really be “worth your while” to fully surrender your entire life over to God while you still have a chance. Let Him make the calls on what He wants to do with your life with the rest of the allotted time you still have left down here. It is never too late to completely turn your entire life over to God the Father and let Him do what He wants with it with whatever time you still have left.
Remember the story of Moses. Moses was 80 years old when God called him out of the desert to rescue His people from the Egyptians. Look at the exciting and adventuresome life that Moses had in God over the last 40 years of his life. It is never too late to fully surrender your entire life over to God the Father to see what He can still do with it.
Now I will give you some very interesting verses from the Bible that will specifically talk about these rewards and crowns.
Rewards
1. This first verse will tell us that every single one of us – no exceptions – will have to appear before the Judgment Seat of Jesus Christ to be judged for everything that we have ever done or said down here on this earth. Here is the most powerful verse:
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things DONE IN THE BODY, according to what He has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Most Christians do not fully realize the seriousness of this verse – that we are all going to have to give an account to Jesus for everything that we have ever done down here on this earth – all of the good with all of the bad.
2. This next verse will tell us that our rewards from God will be according to our labors that we have done for Him while living down here on this earth. Here it is:
“… and each one will receive His own reward ACCORDING TO HIS OWN LABOR.” (1 Corinthians 3:8)
This verse is telling us that the rewards given to us by God will be totally dependent on what we accomplish for Him while living down here on this earth.
My interpretation on this verse is that the greater and better our labor and work is for the Lord in this life, the greater our rewards will be in heaven. I believe there will be a direct correlation between the two – greater service will be leading to greater rewards.
3. This next verse will tell us that Jesus will be bringing His rewards with Him, and that He will be rewarding every person according to the work they have done for Him while living down here on this earth. Here it is:
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone ACCORDING TO HIS WORK.” (Revelation 22:12)
Again, not only is a heavenly reward being implied, but this heavenly reward will be based upon our earthly good works.
Please note however that you cannot get into heaven based upon good works. The gift of eternal salvation is a free gift from God and is something that has to be accepted by faith. However, once you are saved, God expects you to do something with what time you still have left down here on this earth. He expects you to come and work for Him.
How well you work for God, and what you accomplish for Him while down here on this earth is where the good works will be coming in. The gift of eternal salvation gets you into heaven, but good works will be getting you the bigger and better rewards once you enter into heaven. This is why the Bible says that “faith without WORKS is dead.”
4. Here is another verse basically stating the same thing, even though the word rewards is not actually mentioned.
“… I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you ACCORDING TO YOUR WORKS.” (Revelation 2:23)
Jesus obviously has something to give to every believer once they enter into heaven. I believe this passage is implying that rewards will be given, and that these rewards will be based upon the good works you did for God while down here on this earth.
5. This next verse tells us that God will be rewarding some of His own a hundredfold for having to leave family and friends in order to go to work for Him. This verse would definitely apply to all of the people who go off to the mission fields to other countries, leaving a lot of their families, friends, and comfortable surroundings for their calls in God.
This verse tells us that these people will not only receive a hundredfold blessing in this life – but also in the age to come – which obviously refers to the next life they will have up in heaven. And when God says that these people will be receiving a hundredfold type blessing, you know we are talking about a major blessing, since He is a God of maximum intensity and a rewarder of those who will diligently seek after Him and serve Him. Here it is:
So Jesus answered them and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brother or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or land, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a HUNDREDFOLD now in this time … and in the age to come, eternal life.” (Mark 10:29-30)
All of the above verses are definitely telling us that God will be giving out some kind of rewards for any good works that are done for Him while living down here on this earth. However, the Bible does not tell us exactly what these rewards are going to be. I believe God is not telling us what these rewards are going to be in His Word because He wants to surprise us.
But if you take the fact that we are dealing with a God of maximum intensity, and a God who will reward those who will diligently seek after Him – then my conclusion is that these rewards are probably going to be some really big intense rewards, and probably beyond anything that our imaginations can even begin to try and conjure up.
So the final conclusion would have to be:
That it really will be “worth your while” to fully surrender your entire life over to God the Father, let Him place you in His perfect plan and destiny for your life – and then do the best job you can on whatever He calls you to do for Him on a daily basis.
Do all of this, and I believe that when you enter into heaven, you will be appropriately and highly rewarded beyond your wildest dreams!
Check the ‘Crown of Righteousness’ passage. In chapter 2 of I John, John writes to us, the children of God, so that we may not sin, therefore, it is possible not to sin because we have an advocate in Christ Jesus. Jesus is the propitiation or satisfaction for our sins as well as the sins of the children of the Devil, yet they do not have an advocate. Also, check Matthew 5:48 and Deuteronomy 18:13. Overall, I loved your article!
thank you for this site and this article. I will be linking you in my blog on wordpress and I will be back often to read your articles in your effort to further serve the triune God.
You haven’t mentioned the crown of life in James 1 11-13? Is that a crown all Christians receive?
Great article, have a question.
Will there be Christians entering heaven without a crown??
@Miguel,
That’s a good question…I think the answer is NO because the Bible says that genuine faith produces good works. That is why James says that faith without works is dead. And that is true. Faith alone saves but a faith that saves, works! Works don’t save us but it validates the kind of faith we have, whether it’s fake or genuine. Therefore, everyone genuine believer who enters heaven will have a crown because their faith will result to good works.
Yes. Every christians who had a new life in christ will be enter to haven. But his or her’s glory in haven not much more.
Yes miguel . Every christians who had a new life in christ will be enter to haven. But his or her’s glory in haven not much more.
The Judgement Seat Of Christ, you would think that more teaching on this subject should be of important in our short day and time that were living. So, is it fair to say that a christian that does not meet the criterion for recieving one of the five crowns would not have anything to lay at the feet of Jesus Christ and if so, what do you think will be the mind set of those christian when they notice that they don’t have anything to offer. This teaching has really cause me to examine my intention and motive when sharing the gospel thank you very much.
I am very excited about the rewards in heaven. It makes me want to do more and more for my Lord which i will do. Just be him waking me up every morning is a blessing because there’s nothing that i have done to deserve that. I believe if we don’t do anything for the Lord except trust in him for salvation, i think there will be no reward except eternal life. Just my personal opinion. I mean working for the Lord is like working for your employer, you wanna get paid right. So weather it’s witnessing for the Lord, dying for His name sake, being active in my church or even sacrificing for my Lord, i am willing to go the distance even though i know the road will be hard but atleast i know the Lord is on my side. I pray to everyone here to have a blessed 2012 and my you and your family grow stronger in the Lord. Allow him to use you for his glory.
Mean to say i pray that everyone here have a bless 2012 and that you and your family grow stronger in the Lord. Keep the faith. This site has helped me more than you can ever know. Thanks
Thanks for responding Kerry, I agree with you about the reward of eternal life. What is your take on 1Cor 3:12-15. This scripture is the one that really challenge me to think about the committed believers that are told to endure to the end. It will seem that those will be the ones recieving the crowns. This is a very interesting topic will love to see more people comment on this subject. God bless you 2012
I agree. But we must remember that we cannot evangelize with the mindset of gaining rewards. Those are lost souls out there, heading straight for an eternity of firey torment. We must have enough compassion to care, to want their souls to be saved. For we were all lost once, where would we be right now if the person that told us about Jesus, didn’t?
Thanks for the encouraging article. We must remember that life is short. Stay strong in Christ. Live for his sake. Give every day to him. The world is in darkness, but never let your problems defeat you, like Joseph in the old testament, he endured and never backed down. Stay strong and glorify Christ, glorify him like he is gloried in revelation and asserting himself over all things. But remember, relax and don’t ask to much of yourself, but still make Christ your No.1 in life.
Thank you for your study on the crowns! It is very enlightening and inspirational! I have one comment on the “not knowing what the rewards will be”. Revelation 2 & 3 tell us what they will be. There are about 20 rewards here. They start or end with “To those who overcome…” and also “he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches…” Our minds can’t comprehend the magnitude of these rewards, but further study on each one expands your mind to the awesomeness of being with Jesus in eternity and how that will feel and look like. I encourage everyone to know, memorize, and study these rewards. They are your treasure, and your heart will be much more focused on eternity with your Bridegroom!
God bless you for making out time to help. I have meticulously gone through and got you right but the truth of the matter is the names of heaven/paradise is what you viewed as different crowns . They are not types of crown but names given to paradise or heaven which only God/JESUS WILL GIVE
Hi, your article is very revealing and i appreciate it a lot. God bless you. I have a few questions though, reading through, i am made to think that believing in Jesus alone can get us to heaven so we can live our lives as we please however cautiously, is that right? again, I don’t see heaven as a place where there will be disparities – i see it more as a place where everyone and evrything is treated same, no small or big or more important persons, is that also right? i like life here on earth with its little tricks here and there that spice up life in general, how, will heaven be? won’t it be boring- singing all day, will we be living as we do here on earth, waking up with some plans to carry out and striving to achieve a challenge or opportunity?
I would greatly appreciate a response perhaps to my mail. thank you very much.
In all let us live to please our maker, like every manufacturer would want his invention to work as designed. thanks again.
To joe. If they have repented from their sins and dedicated their life to Jesus then they will be treated as any other saint in heaven. Their sin is no worse then a little white lie or stealing a candy bar or not forgiving someone who done us wrong. God sees all sin the same way grotesque, wicked and dirty. He doesn’t have favorites. All who belong to God are his favorite so if they are saved then they’ll receive the royal treatment as we all do since none of us are worthy of salvation anyways.
Are there EVER jewels in the crowns? If so what do they mean????
How does the concept of unequal rewards reconcile to Matthew 20:1-16? The parable of the workers in the vineyard starts with, “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner who went out early… to hire men to work in his vineyard.” It concludes with the landowner having to go out several times during the day to get more workers. At the end of the day they were all paid the same. When the early workers challenged the landowner about all being paid the same, saying that was unfair, the landowner rebuked them. He responded by saying that he paid them what they agreed to work for. It was his money and he could do with it what he pleased.
I cannot imagine a God that will make His children feel inferior to the other children. Do deathbed conversions just get in the door and that is it?
Hi Ken, I believe that parable is talking about salvation and the fact that it is by God’s favour (and grace) that He gives it. Though they all worked, none of them necessarily earnt the wage but He agreed to give it to them. And I don’t think it is talking about one receiving the Lord early in life and another later and still another on their death bed but more speaking about the Jews and the gentiles – though it makes sense the other way too.
To Ken,
Matthew 20: 2 And when he had agreed with the laborours for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
Troy – I agree with your comment but I don’t understad what you are saying. My point is that I am not convinced that God is going to hand out multiple levels of rewards. He has the right to because it is His to give. But He promises in Matthew 20, that we will all receive the same pay for our work regardless of how long we worked. I can’t imagine a loving God that would create a caste system (haves and have nots) among his children. You remember how Cain and Able were affected when God showed favoritism.
I do agree that rewards on earth are relative to the work you do. But the rewards may not be monetary or physical. God rewards us in many ways for our love and work for Him.
I suppose that one of the work that we have to do to gain heavenly rewards is to love others sincerely. I begin to think that if I really care for others, I should help them with the best wishes beyond any limits. Thus, I feel that I also have to help them to reach their full potential and amass as much heavenly rewards as they possibly can. Then, I begin to feel uncomfortable. I feel that it is okay for those people, whom I help, to gain more materialistic possession than I do. But, I do not feel that I am going to be okay if I lose to them in terms of heavenly rewards. I begin to sense the need of competing to get as many heavenly rewards as possible. I begin to hope that the people I help will not pay my kindness back so that I am guaranteed to win the competition in heaven. Is it a sin ? Is it going to dampen my rewards and joy ? If it is, how am I supposed to feel and react towards this kind of matter ?
I also want to ask if I should be happy if everybody is equal. I mean everybody is joyful, healthy and wealthy. I never intend others to be miserable. In fact, I feel awful when I see people suffer. However, I also need the sense of being superior and being able to graciously give to others. How do I correct this view, should it be flawed ?
Lastly, I want to ask if it is safe to imagine that by giving to others, I will make them rich and myself even richer than ever. I think this may motivate me, but isn’t giving supposed to sincere rather than backed up by ambitions ?
Thanks. Answers will be much appreciated.
Abigail,
Please be weary of people that say they are a “trained evangelist” and tell you to believe this or that or read this or that and don’t EVER give you reference to ANY Bible verses. I was trained to tell you that it doesn’t matter what I have to tell you :), but it matters what GOD has to tell you! So please know that “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes on Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life!” John 3:16 Why did He need to give His Son to die for us? “Because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 The penalty for those sins is death! “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 But if we “Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9 One of my favorit verses is 1John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life…” It doesn’t say that you MIGHT have eternal life or that now you can HOPE to have eternal life. It says that God wrote the Bible so that we can KNOW that heaven is our home! Great news! And that is what we ought to be telling others!
Adrian,
God’s Love for us ALL is equal and clearly demonstrated in the verses above, but the Bible says in 1Cor.12:14 that we are NOT equal, “For the body (the body of Christ…His church)is NOT one member, but many.” Read down to verse 17…”If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing?”…v.18 “now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.” Every part on our body is obviously necessary. So is the same in the body of Christ. You may not think that those that clean the toilets in the church are doing as important of a job as the pastor, but I bet you are thankful those toilets are cleaned! 🙂 God sees them all as important, and more importantly, sees the heart! So if you feel the Lord has gifted you in an area (like giving), and you feel fulfilled doing it, it’s probably “of the Lord”. Don’t take credit, as it’s how the Lord made you, but rejoice in having the opportunity to fulfill God’s purpose for your life! Praise the Lord! Don’t confuse superiority (a prideful feeling) with joy (a God feeling)! One thing that may help is to remember “Every good and perfect gift is from above” James 1:17. You are able to give ONLY because GOD first gave it all to you! 🙂 “Whatsoever things are true…honest…just…pure…lovely…think on these things!” Phil 4:8
I had no idea about the crowns this is all new to me.. its exciting to learn… wish I had someone to learn with.
Rewards for good works. NO. God is not going to give each person a scorecard and reward them differently. That would mean one person would get a 10% score and another person would get a 90% score. Seriously, that makes NO SENSE AT ALL~! There is one reward and that is heaven. Just use your common sense. YOU CAN’T EARN MORE THAN OTHER PEOPLE! EVERY ONE IS A SINNER.
To Robert:
I am not on either side, I am searching. But how would you explain those verses mentioned above regarding rewards? What’s your view on these.
So Jesus answered them and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brother or
sisters or father or mother or wife or children or land, for My sake and the gospel’s,
who shall not receive a HUNDREDFOLD now in this time … and in the age to come, eternal life.” (Mark 10:29-30)
“… I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you ACCORDING TO YOUR WORKS.” (Revelation 2:23)
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone ACCORDING TO HIS WORK.” (Revelation 22:12)
“… and each one will receive His own reward ACCORDING TO HIS OWN LABOR.” (1 Corinthians 3:8)
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things DONE IN THE BODY,
according to what He has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
On another note, I’m not sure about using common sense when it comes to faith, to me I seek answer in the Bible. What we think does not matter.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” – Isaiah 55:8
As I see it : God created the heavens and the earth by and for Christ Jesus.
He then created mankind for the purpose of sharing Christ’s inheritance, through reigning with Christ over this vast, immeasurable universe. But Adam fell into sin and Paradise was lost. God sent a second Adam (Jesus Christ) to the rescue and restored us to a right relationship with God once again . If we believe that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God and trust in his atoning sacrifice for our sins on the Cross, then we will be saved….it is all of God’s grace and not of our works. So now God can continue with his original purpose for us, viz., that of preparing and training us here on earth for our eternal destiny of reigning with Christ. Believers here on earth are now in a training school to prove their worthiness and credibility to take on greater or less responsibility in Heaven. The degree to which we identify ourselves here on earth with the Savior in his service, suffering and sacrifice will determine what the gracious Father may wish to entrust to us in His Kingdom one day. While we are but unprofitable servants at the best of times, yet God is not unmindful of the smallest good deed done in His name. He is no man’s debtor. Let us then gladly continue in well-doing and leave the results to God.
@ Robert You need to read the “parable of the Talents”, hon!!!
Yes,I know the parable of the talents: Matt 25:14-30 “For it is like a man, going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey. Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. In like manner he also who got the two gained another two. But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. “Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them. He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.’ “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ “He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents besides them.’ “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ “He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter. I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’ “But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter. You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest. Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who has not, even that which he has will be taken away. Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The unproftable servant was sent to hell –no eternal life. So can you tell me anything more compelling?
I still don’t see how the many,many born again Christians can receive varying degrees of rewards when Jesus did everything!
We cannot do anything apart from Christ! >>>>>>>>
Isaiah 64:6
New International Version (NIV)
6 All of us have become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf,
and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Robert,I think you should read the parable of the undeserved rewards in Heaven,given by the Gracious Giver, as recorded in Luke 19. Here each one given the same amount to start with, and was then sent out to work. Those who worked abundantly, were rewarded abundantly; each was paid on results and commended by the gracious master. But the rebellious one showed by his distrust,sloth, and insulting words, that he never was part of the faithful, but really an enemy. Yes, Jesus graciously did everything for our salvation, but now he sends us forth to sow and to do good works. We are unprofitable servants and have no right to any reward,save that of knowing we are doing His will. But we are also told He is no man’s debtor, and whatever we sow, that we will also reap.(Gal 6:7-10). We are encouraged to engage in energetic and quality work because this will be tested on the final Day. Each believer will be treated perfectly justly when it comes to the allocation of the inheritance.(Read 1Cor. 3:12-15, if you want to know on what basis the believer’s rewards in Heaven will be given !).
God motivates us to continue on the right path with the promises of rewards in heaven, the one thief on the cross who believed in Jesus in his final moments was promised that he would be with Jesus in paradise, he may have received eternal salvation, but he likely had few rewards awaiting him. To provide a crude example; Billy Graham may shine like a 100-watt light bulb for eternity in heaven but this thief while also in heaven after death may only look like 1 watt. We only have this lifetime to make our decisions. Use it wisely!
WHOOPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I am gonna shine brighter than you!!!!
Having been told I cannot work my way to heaven, now I am being told I must work my way for a better place in heaven
Is motivation for rewards in Heaven to be our prime mover for serving the Lord?
This whole idea of rewards in Heaven militates against the gospel of grace according to my reckoning.
Something here is NOT right!!!
Brian Hyde: Right on man~! You are correct. The person who wrote this piece is wrong!
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Ephesians 1:4
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Ephesians 5:27
And He did this to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle, or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
“The owner answered one of them. ‘Friend,’ he said, ‘I’m being fair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for the usual day’s pay? 14 Take your money and go. I want to give the ones I hired last the same pay I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Do you feel cheated because I gave so freely to the others?’
16 “So those who are last will be first. And those who are first will be last.”
Matthew 20:13-16 (NIRV)
I can have hierarchy here and now on this earth, why would I place my hope in heaven for things I’ve already seen? Who hopes for what they already have?
@Robert I have to comment based on some of the things I have read. Please, read your Bible. Jesus does speak of rewards, and of the crowns, but no one will feel like they don’t measure up, I assure you! God’s will for us is to live a Godly life on earth, and do what we can for others, not for ourselves. We shall be greatly rewarded in Heaven! Yes, being a Christian and going to Heaven is the greatest reward, but wouldn’t you want to do more? Instead of complaining about things not being fair, you should ask yourself “What can I do for you, Lord?” Honestly, if someone is persecuted and dies for their faith, I for one think they SHOULD get a crown. They are strong in their faith and totally deserve it!
@ Sandy, I was only complaining in the sense that I don’t believe in anyone receiving a greater or lesser award for acting on the words they hear.
I’m sorry, but you must have me confused with someone else who is ignorant of the Word of God, because I not only read the Bible, I’m living it as best as I can on a daily basis.
Those who are first will be last and those who are last will be first.
Many who are first will be last is saying not to fight for the more honorable positions but to humbly serve, just as Jesus did. I think this could even relate to rewards in that some highly honored religious leaders may not even receive as great a reward as the lady who humbly devoted her life to prayer and service at a soup kitchen or something.
@Robert –I’m sorry I didn’t mean to come off as being rude…if you thought that. It was not my intention. I understand what you are saying…
Hey Sandy,
I think I am the one who took your reply a little too condemning, I had forgotten that there is now no condemnation for those who believe in Christ.
Blessings to you and your family ☺
I think we would do well to always keep our attention on the Gracious Giver and not on expected rewards for service done. We are but unprofitable servants , privileged to be called to serve Him. Milton reminds us that God does not need our labour , and that they that stand and wait also serve. God is no man’s debtor and even a cup of cold water given in His name will not be forgotten. If here on earth we build our lives with bricks of gold and silver, then we will have proved ourselves worthy to be given greater responsibilities in sharing in the inheritance of Jesus Christ. The reward for good works here on earth is more work in Heaven !
I feel strongly that our ” unperishible ” “rewards” or “crowns” are actually souls we either directly or indirectly, play a a part of getting into The Kingdom! What greater reward than, with each soul saved, making Christ’s sacrifice that much more “rewarded”! Plus, our reward is to gain an erenally grateful neighbor in our eternal dwelling!
Salvation is such an unmerited gift that its full understanding will be the highest reward. People speak of Salvation as if it the ‘easy’ part. It’s not the ‘easy’ part it’s the impossible part made possible by the cross!!!
Rewards doctrines serves to reveal the pride and boastful hearts in people. No one deserves salvation let alone ‘rewards’. If people don’t realise how precious the gift of salvation is then I would doubt their faith. IF the faith is a gift of God then any works that proceed from this faith is also a gift and no one can boast I did more work than the next guy. The reward will be the partaking of Christ glory which he achieved through perfect obedience. Christ is rewarded and we share in that rewards as Christ’s faith plays out in our own lives. We can not boast. We should not desire hierarchy. Christ gave the example of the servant king. You cannot do any good works based on duty. Good works only comes from faith and faith is a gift from God. No matter how hard you set out to do ‘good’ it will prove to be dirty rags in God’s eyes. The only good work is the work that comes from a joyful heart that knows Christ. If this is not your heart than don’t worry, the first step is admitting this is not your heart and the Lord will do the rest. The Lord will make sure that he is glorified through you. So you WILL do good works but only because the Father so desires it. Anything else will be burnt up.
John, the writer is not referring to salvation but to sanctification. In 1 Corinthians 2.10-15 we are told to be careful how we build/live our Christian lives because the degree of our rewards in Heaven will depend the quality of our works upon earth. Some of us may be smelling of smoke when we get up yonder. Life on earth is a training and testing ground to prove our ability and worthiness to take on responsibilities in the heavenly realm. The reward for much work on earth is more work in Heaven !
Gordon,
I’m not sure what you are referring to ?
1 Corinthians 2:10-15
English Standard Version (ESV)
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.[a]
14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.
1 Corinthians 3.10-15
Thanks John for pointing out my misquote in seeking to substantiate the truth that we will receive rewards in heaven for faithful service done on earth.
My apologies to you and to all the readers.
Gordon
Great article! There is no doubt we will be rewarded individually according to our individual service to the Lord. We just need to make sure our reward isn’t cancelled out by our pride.
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6).
Just as there will be different levels of reward in Heaven, there will be different levels of punishment in Hell.
“Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.” (Matthew 11)
I am confused. How do we give our lives over to God? If I had two job offers, how would I know which one God wanted me to take? Would I pray and then feel the Holy Spirit directing me or something? Somebody, please reply soon!
Hi Lily,
We give our lives over to God by confessing to Him our need of Him. It is in the acknowledgement of our sins, our wrongdoings, and in the acceptance of the Gospel, which is Jesus’ good doings, that we give our lives over to God. Read John 3:1-18 as a reference, some is hard to understand but I am praying that God will give you understanding as you read.
Regarding the job offers. You may feel the Holy Spirit lead you in a direction when you pray. However often times we can make the decision based on very practical terms given there is nothing inherently sinful about the work, like anything dishonest or indecent. You can often decide based on the fit, location, the better fit based on your skills, how it will affect your home life, the pay, the nature of the work in regards to which might be more fulfilling for you.
This is of course if you don’t have any strong inclination from the Holy Spirit regarding which choice to make. Many times God gives us the freedom to choose. I hope this helps.
Hi Lily, fully surrendering to God is more about the posture and attitude of your heart rather than hitting a bullseye of God’s will. He will not always tell us point blank which choice to make, sometimes but not always. He trusts us to make certain decisions and use the experience and wisdom He’s given us. If there was a way He absolutely wanted you to go, He is perfectly capable of letting you know. Surrendering is more about being WILLING to go where He says to go. Let’s say you really want option A but this time He does actually tell you which way to go and He says option B. Surrendering is saying, not my will (option A) be done Lord, but Yours (option B.) In all decision making and things of life, every day our heart desires for Him to be glorified by our lives, for Him to find pleasure in us, to commune with Him in His presence. If these things are our heart’s desires, then we can trust He will lead us and guide us in the way we should go, EVEN when we are unaware of Him orchestrating events and opportunities for us. Even when we encounter trials and suffering, we still know He is leading us and we are in his will. I hope this helps you! God bless you!
hi Lily
Giving our lives to God is a fruit of first having the knowledge and understanding of who God is. If you understand God as the Author of life, who says in Jeremiah, “I knew you before l formed you”, would you not want such a God to be the one who directs your ways? As for how He does that, Depends on your faith coz He surely does have strange ways of communicating with us all, and we hear Him differently. Just act “stupid” and ask and acknowledge God in everything that you do or happens in your life and you will surely hear Him in your conscience, directing your ways.
I hope it was helpful, God bless you.
My mom always says the Lord usually speaks through three things: Inner peace regarding one offer over the other, His Word, and your spiritual family’s advice.
Ask Him which offer might be more influential for his Kingdom.
He also gives us options to choose from and sometimes neither one is wrong. Lastly, you can also choose based on what you would enjoy most. He is good and wants us to ude our strengths and enjoy work.
Hope this helps. I know it’s a bit late
Dear Lily. You can give your life over to him by simply believing in him and what he tells us! You then jus have a one on one talk with him and promise to obey him and live for him ! Gods really cool to believe in and he really loves you. He knows your not perfect and will forgive you for your mistakes just always try to best! And with the jobs . If you have two great job offers God blessed you with both and the option to choose 🙂 do what’s best! He wants the best for you and wants you to Live n be happy!
WOW!!! How much controversy this stirred up! One great advantage I had as a child was to let the bible tell me instead of me trying to tell the bible. It says Jesus comes bringing his rewards. Any questions?
Jesus says in Revelation 22:12 “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.
While my motivation to serve and do good works is Love for my Savior it seams rather rude to not want the rewards He has prepared for me.
There also appears to be some confusion that Salvation is a free gift, but rewards are given by Jesus for the Good works we will do.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
I look forward to the rewards Jesus has for me, He wants me to.
I am confused at the rewards aspect of the result of works for one that is saved. Not that I wouldn’t accept them, but what is the purpose of the rewards in Heaven? In my mind, Heaven and eyernal life with God is reward enough. Not to say that we shouldn’t exercise our faith to do good works for the sake of bringing others to His kingdom and loving others, even our enemies, so they can see God in us and hopefully plant seeds. But again, what will we do with these rewards? It seems to me a kind of heirarchy system where some will be in Heaven at a higher level than others. Is this really what God wants for us? Could it be possible we might be missing something? I have prayed about this and am truly seeking the view of others and not with the intention to promote confusion or apostasy. Any input? Thanks and love.
Hello! We throw our crowns (which are rewards)… at the feet of Jesus. God is a lover and a God of pleasure – He created it! Why get all spiritual and say we don’t need recognition, that God is glad to give… even Jesus mentioned it multiple times. It’s according to the LOVE of the Father that he should reward us. Saying we don’t need reward is the same as saying we don’t need his love … and that’s rejecting God. It brings pleasure to God to reward us. I don’t see what’s the problem with that. We don’t understand fully about heaven and eternal life … just the basics. But Jesus clearly said that God will acknowledge our good works … and in my thought, it’s based on his love for us.
About higher levels … I think that God always has structures of authority (rulers of people, princes, kings, etc) in place. I don’t see why in a future heavenly city he shouldn’t appoint certain people to have authoritiy over others. That’s how we function as a society… I wonder if it will be similar in heaven with Christ.
Hope this helps!
Noelle
Even if we have stumbled, can we still hear those words “well done good and faithful Servant?” And still be rewarded abundantly?
This has bothered me for a long time as Believer.
Can someone put my mind at ease?
It would appreciated beyond measure❤️
Nice you’re sincere about this but I believe what you really need is not one to put your mind at ease as no one can do that but one that will tell you the scriptural truth. Obedience to these scriptural truth puts your mind at ease. One of the evidence of a perfected love is the absence of fear. This is because perfect love cast out fears. The Christian journey is not usually smooth and gallop free. There could be ups and down in your faith. The truth is that stumbling doesn’t mean you’ve failed as it could help you not to fall. You fall when you give up in your struggle against sin according to Heb. 12 and Gal. 5. You’re are in a race that the final reward is given to those that made it to the end. If you sin as a Christian, it not strange or impossible. Run to Christ and seek forgiveness and continue your journey. But it’s one thing to sin and another to make a practice of sin. Falling out of faith does not begin at a point a believer sinned but at a point he starts making a practice of sin. At this point, he is been controlled by fresh which will end up in lost of God’s kingdom as seeing in Gal.5. The antidote is to sincerely repent and ask for forgiveness from Christ and to live a controlled by the holy spirit. It is scriptural that you can struggle with sin but never give in to it. But why keep struggling when a life of the spirit can subdue lustful desires and work. There are much to say but because of time I would summarise thus. That you stumbled does not put you out of the race, you are only out when you quit. Dust yourself through sincere repentance and asking Christ for forgiveness and you will experience great joy that will help you continue your journey. Never give in to the lies of the devil that you’re finished. The scripture says that godly sorrows bring repentance not judgement. Whatever things are holy, truth, good, of good report among others think on them. Fix your eyes on things that pleases God not yourself or your fresh. Run away from men pleasing ministers and gospels and go for the true doctrine. In so doing, you will find peace and joy that will sustain you in the love of Christ. Finally, always seek to obey God’s words and commandments as this is the genuine expressions of our love for Christ. Christ said, if you love me, keep my commandments. Shalom!