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Column 910, July 14, 2007

 “Provoking Christian Insights” series

Part 10

“He Rewards”

“… without faith it is impossible to please God,  for whoever would approach Him must believe that He exists and He rewards those who seek Him,” Hebrews 11:6.

YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE

Once, as Jesus drew near Jerusalem, he began to weep, saying, ‘”If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes,” (Luke 19:42, NKJV). What motivated the Son of God to mourn over Jerusalem? Not mere human compassion. Whenever we hear the word “compassion,” most of us consider the present plight of man and human suffering. Although these needs are for the most part legitimate, there is more to weep over…way more!

Jesus saw far beyond the present troubles. Our present conditions have to do with the temporal, not the eternal. Although one flows into the other, the first carries inexpressible importance. After all, what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?

What sense does it make for a man, or woman to fill his, or her, belly when the heart is empty? What good is it if a man is given another pair of shoes to walk on the earth, when in a flash he’ll stand before God with no shoes, no clothes, naked and before the judgment seat?

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” John 3:16.

We were talking about pre-school teachers, some who were Christian and some who were not saved. The conversation continued into the church. Not everyone who attends church is necessarily saved. There are people who do good deeds, even for the church, but have only earthly faith. Jesus saw everything through   eyes of eternity. His compassion was intermingled with eternal tears, and when the Lord wept, Jesus always took action. Just as Jesus fixed His eyes on eternity, so should we in our pilgrimage here on Earth with the hereafter. What does this mean?

Every person we meet, every cup of water we give, every grain of wheat we distribute should be directly connected to a desire to see that person’s soul find eternal life.

I remember the announcement of an upcoming “saved” cousins visit followed by the usual “I suspect they’re going to preach to us again,” remark. Later, after we got saved, we anticipated their visits with joy!

God was rewarding us! Once saved, we knew that they really loved us and wanted to be with us in heaven.

Looking back their “preaching” was only references to the Christian life. It was our own guilt that kept us from the wonderful relationship that was within our grasp!

God wants to covenant with us, Gen. 15:1 says early on, “ …the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” Psalm 19:11 reminds us that in keeping of God’s commandments “there is great reward.”

Psalm 35:12 reminds us of the rewards of malicious people, “they give me evil for good.” We have all seen this. Have you ever been the victim of a vicious rumor? Psalm 91:8 says, “You will look with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.” Proverbs 11:18 tells, “The wicked earn no true reward, but those who sow righteousness get a true reward.” And interestingly in Proverbs 25:22 “…for you will heap coals of fire on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.”

The writer of Ecclesiastes (2:10) tells “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil …and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” Isaiah 40:10, “See, the Lord God comes with might and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before Him 11). He will feed His sheep like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms and carry them in His bosom.”

Matthew 5:12 states, “Rejoice and be glad, for you reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Life on earth may be tough, but God will reward you in heaven.

Listen to this: “…and whoever gives eve a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple – truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward,” Matthew 10:42. Talk about a guarantee!

There are many others; Luke 6:35; Luke 23:41; 1 Cor. 3:8; Col. 2:18; Heb 11:26; 2 John 8; and Rev. 22:12.

If you aren’t close to God, you need to get there. The trial of your faith, which is more precious than that of gold that perishes, though it be tried in the fire, will be found in praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

INSPIRATION: “Regardless of the trials you may be facing today, remember that the Lord is in control. Draw close to His side and He will guide you through those trials, “ Evangelist Stephen Hill.

Write: croneis@earthlink.net