Have you ever been to an award ceremony? Have you ever attended an awards banquet where you knew you were being considered for an award? Do you remember how you felt? Rember when you were in school and your report cards would come out? Your emotions could have ranged from being a little nervous, a little excited, to scared sick! Have you ever given thought about the moment when you will have to stand and give an account to the Lord for what you did and didn't do while here on this earth? It is a downright sobering thought to think that we are accountable to the Lord for the "things done in our body whether they be good or bad." It is a fact that each Christian is going to be rewarded according to their faithfulness to Christ.
5:9 Wherefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him. 5:10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things `done' in the body, according to what he hath done, whether `it be' good or bad.
Since we all will one day have to stand before Jesus and give an account of our lives, Paul ecourages us to make it our aim to be "well pleasing unto the Lord." Our goal in life should not be to pursue, happiness, riches, fame, and material things rather our goal should be to pursue what pleases God. That is why we are instructed to "set our minds on things above" and to "lay up treasures in Heaven" because when it is all said and done, our life will be judged not by the world's standard of sucess but by God's standards.
This should motivate us to please the Lord at all times, for nothing escapes the eye of the Lord. He knows all things, even the very thoughts and intents of our heart are exposed to Him. The Apostle Paul tells us "to be careful how we build" that is how we add to the foundation that Christ has laid for us to build upon. God is going to test the quality of our work by fire and only that which remains is going to be rewarded by God. The things that were done in the "flesh" for self glorification even though they may have been done under the name of God and for God, because of the impure nature of the work, it will will be brought to light and be burned up. Playing church, and giving a haphazard effort toward the work of the Lord may win the approval of man, but with God, they will not stand in the day of judgment. 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon. 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 3:12 But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; 3:13 each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is. 3:14 If any man's work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward. 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.
So what is my point? Why even bring this up? Well, you "are His workmanship created in Christ to do good works in Christ, as God has before ordained that you should walk in them." Eph 2:10
God has a plan and a purpose for you. You were not just created so you could exist, and enjoy all this world has to offer, but rather to fulfill a destiny. To bring glory and honor unto God by the way that you live. Our lives should bless the Lord and others by the things that we do, the words that we speak, and the conduct we model. Whether or not you want to participate is irrelevant, because the Scripture says, we all must give an account. There are no exceptions.
Imagine with me, if you will, the very moment you are standing before the Lord of Glory at the judgment seat. How will you feel? It is possible to have confidence in that day? Yes it is! The Apostle John puts it this way: "And now little children abide in Him, that when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at HIs comingI." I Jn 2:28 We must abide in Him, that is abiding in Him is another matter to be discussed at some point. But, the point now is, that we can have confidence about that day. We don't have to be ashamed, nervous, or uneasy. The key is to love God with "all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourslef." Love Jesus all the way, serve Him all the way, worship Him all they way, give Him your very best, every time. Be faithful in the small things, even when no one is looking! Be careful to be humble and not to seek your own glory, for that will pretty much be all the reward you will get.
At this great ceremony either one of two things will happen. Either you will recieve many crowns for your faithfulness. Or your works will be burned up in the fire and you will suffer great loss. 9:25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they `do it' to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
How do you think you are going to do in that moment of judgment? I exhort you to do your best for God starting right now so in that day you will hear Him say to you, "Well done, my good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy and rest I have prepared for you."
God bless all of you.
Know that He loves you,
and so do I.
Brother Todd
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