If you follow the ministry of GES, you know that we emphasize the importance of rewards in the world to come. Works have no part at all in receiving the gift of eternal life. That is given by faith in Christ alone. But our works will be rewarded when Christ comes. All believers will be in the kingdom of God, but there will be differences in authority and riches in that kingdom, depending on the works and faithfulness of each believer.
Something strange happens when you discuss rewards with people. Most people–even those who have attended church for decades–find the topic uninteresting, at best. At worst, they think it is contrary to the teachings of the Bible. They think talking about it is a waste of time, or even destructive. They might even say, “I don’t find the doctrine of rewards anywhere in the Bible!”
Some of us, however, see things completely differently. We say, “We find the doctrine of rewards everywhere in the Bible!” Both sides can’t be right. If one person sees rewards all over the place, and another says they don’t exist, one of those two people has a serious set of blinders on.
I will make a short case of arguing that it’s the other guy who can’t see the obvious. In the first Gospel, in Jesus’ first sermon, He starts off with the topic of rewards. He gives a long list of beatitudes and concludes His introduction with the statement that the faithful disciple will have a great reward in His kingdom (Matt 5:12). So, we could say that in the NT, the first topic Jesus talks about is rewards.
Then, when we look at the last book of the NT, we find the same topic. As John finishes writing the book of Revelation, the Lord addresses him. Here are some of His parting words: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Rev 22:12).
The first and last words of the Lord in the NT involve the topic of rewards. If that is true, would it be surprising if the rest of the NT taught the same thing? The answer, of course, is “no.” I would maintain that if we don’t see it being taught, it is because we don’t want to see it, or our traditions have blinded us to its presence. The fact that the Lord and His apostles taught rewards for faithful service to Him is a very powerful, and Biblical, motivation to want to live a life that pleases the Lord.
Lord willing, GES will soon be having a regional conference in Bismarck, ND. It will be held at True Fellowship Live on Aug 16-18. More information can be found on the GES website. I bring this up because the theme of the conference will be rewards.
If you live in the North Dakota area and would like to learn more about this important topic, you are invited to come. I think you’ll agree that the NT surely teaches it. We would love to see you there.
