CE 1 YEAR: 10 Your Rewards

Week 10

Your Rewards

What will not happen when you meet Christ

One of the most important events of your life is coming. You will meet the Lord Jesus Christ. Before describing this further we must correct the many false ideas about what happens when Christians meet Christ. Unfortunately, many Christians greatly fear this day. They believe Christ will expose all of their shameful sins for all to see, and that they will be greatly embarrassed on this day. This is not true! Carefully read the following Scriptures.

God has promised to bring you into His presence without a single fault and with great joy (Jude 1:24; 1 Thess 5:23-24). That’s what meeting Christ will be like. Great joy and no faults. You will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, because He is faithful to do what He says (1 Cor 1:8-9). Christ died for your sins. Therefore, you will be presented to Him holy, blameless, and without a single fault (Col 1:22; Eph 1:4). Christ’s perfect sacrifice made us perfect in the eyes of God (Heb 10:14).

There will be no accusation of sin when the Christian stands before Christ because there will never be any condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). The Greek word katakrima (condemn) means to judge and declare someone is wrong or bad after weighing evidence. This will never happen for the Christian. This is why God says to put our hope in the grace to be given us when Christ returns, not to fear His judgment of our sins (1 Pet 1:13). If we are afraid to meet Christ, it is because we have not fully understood His love for us (1 John 4:16-18).

God not only forgave all of your sins, but He has forgotten them (Isa 38:17; Jer 31:34; Micah 7:19; Psalms 103:12; Heb 8:12; 10:17). He even erased any record of your sins (Col 2:13-14; Isa 43:25). It was not the Law that was cancelled (Matt 5:17-18), but the record of your violations of the law. In fact, the Bible says everything bad or even worthless you have ever done will simply be burned up and disappear (1 Cor 3:12-15).

If God has forgotten your sins, then will you remember them? No! When you die, your mind will decay and so will the sinful programming and evil memories you have. When you are resurrected you will have a new, clean, and pure mind. You will have a sinless mind like Christ (1 John 3:2). This is how nothing impure will ever enter God’s presence (Rev 21:27). Not even impure thoughts or memories because you will have a new mind. This is why the Bible says that when God makes everything new, things in our past will not be remembered or even come to mind (Isa 65:17). OT scholar John Oswalt comments on this Scripture:

In the previous sentence here (v. 16), God said that He would forget their former troubles because He is making a completely new Creation. He says everything associated with the old world will be forgotten. All the ways in which sin has stamped this world with its own deformed image will be wiped away, not only from reality but even from memory. They will not even come to mind. (The Book of Isaiah)

Those who claim that our sins will be displayed, and we will be embarrassed by them, ignore all of the above clear statements of Scripture. Such a view dishonors what Christ suffered for and accomplished for you on the cross. We must never interpret descriptions of meeting Christ in a way that contradicts these promises in Scripture of our sins being completely paid for, forgiven, forgotten and erased.

For example, Jesus warned that on Judgment Day every word we’ve spoken will be accounted for and will either acquit or condemn us (Matt 12:35-37). In the context Jesus was explaining how to distinguish an evil person who will be condemned by God, and a good person who will be forgiven. Their true heart is revealed by the kind of words they say. No Christian, will be condemned for their words (Rom 8:1). However, “worthless” (argon) words will be accounted for and not rewarded.

Likewise, some interpret 2 Corinthians 5:10 to say that Christians will receive some sort of punishment for evil things we did. But this would contradict the Scriptures above. What is the solution? Unfortunately, some Bible versions translate the Greek word phaulos here as “bad” or “evil.” But the word can simply mean “worthless,” not evil. Therefore, the contrast Paul is making here is not between morally good and evil deeds, but between eternally valuable and worthless deeds (1 Cor 3:12-15).

Likewise, some claim that in 1 Corinthians 4:5 Paul is warning that a Christian’s secret and evil “motives” will be exposed and on display when we meet Christ (Rom 2:16). It is from this verse that some have suggested that our entire lives, including our secret sins, will be played like a video on a huge screen for all to see. But once again, such a belief is a denial of the biblical promises that our sins have been completely erased, forgiven, forgotten, and paid for.

So again, what did Paul mean? First, notice the context of this verse. Paul is defending his goodness to the Corinthians (4:1), and stating that even if they do not see it, God does and will praise him for it.

Secondly, “motives” is not a good translation of the Greek word boulē which simply means plans, purpose and decisions. This is why the other 12 times boulē is used in the NT, it is never translated as “motives.” Likewise, “darkness,” implying evil, is not a necessary meaning of the Greek word skotous. It can simply mean “unknown.” Therefore, there is no warning here that your evil secret motives will be exposed for either you or others to see.

In 1 Corinthians 4:5 the Apostle is actually saying the opposite of what most Christians think. He is actually promising that your hidden GOOD desires, decisions, and deeds will be disclosed and brought to light. This is why he concludes with the promise that God will give to each one whatever praise is due. The only result of the evaluation Paul is describing is “praise” (epainos: “praise, admiration, approval, fame, recognition) from God.

Accordingly, the respected Bible teacher John MacArthur comments: “Because Paul speaks here of each man’s praise, I do not believe things hidden in the darkness refers to sins or anything evil, but simply to things presently unknown to us.” (1 Corinthians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary). Jesus taught the same when He promised God will reward you for the things He has seen you do in secret (Matt 6:4, 6).

For unbelievers there is only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God (Heb 10:27). But God has promised Christians: “You will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for He is faithful to do what He says” (1 Cor 1:8-9). Do not let any misinterpretation of Scripture steal the joy you can have now as you look forward to meeting Christ. God promises to bring you into His presence without a single fault and with great joy (Jude 1:24; 1 Thess 5:23-24).

What will happen when you meet Christ

Did you know there is a book in Heaven being written about you?! (Rev 20:12; Ps 56:1-2, 8; Mal 3:16). It is the story of your life lived for Christ. Everyday your good deeds are being recorded in your book. When you meet Jesus Christ, He is going to open and read the Book that records all the faith, love, sacrifice, and deeds you have done for Him. Based on all the clear Scripture above, we can be certain that none of your sins are recorded in your Book of Deeds Done for God.

This is how God will restore your knowledge of only the good and godly things of your past. Your Book has a record of all the things God wants you to remember, including the loving relationships and good deeds in your life.

It is through the contents of your Book that your life will be evaluated and rewarded. The Bible says each of us must give an account to God (Rom 14:12). Again, this does not mean we will have to confess and discuss our sins with Christ. The idea of “giving an account” is a financial term referring to what you have to show for what God gave you. Giving an account to God is illustrated in the “Parable of the Talents” (Matt 25:14-30). Here Jesus describes what it will be like for the Christian to meet Him.

Regardless of what they have to show for their life, Jesus only has one message for Christians: “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (vs. 21, 23). The “useless servant” that is thrown “into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth [Hell]” is not a Christian (Matt 25:30).

Jesus came the first time to pay for your sins. He is coming the second time to reward you for your good deeds (Matt 16:27). The evaluation that occurs at Christ’s Great White Throne (Matt 25:31-46; Rev 20:11-12) is only and wonderfully an awards ceremony for God’s children.

God promises to bring you into His presence without a single fault and with great joy (Jude 1:24; 1 Thess 5:23-24). You will be blameless on the Day you meet Christ (1 Cor 1:8-9). But your actions in this life will still have great and eternal consequences. Every worthless word, thought, or deed will be burned up and you will lose potential rewards. No Christian has any sins recorded in their Book in Heaven. But some Christians will have more good deeds recorded than others. You will never be condemned for anything bad you did in this life. But everything you do in this life will affect the next life, because it determines your eternal rewards. There will be no shame when we meet Christ. But there may be regrets as we recognize we could have done more for God. This may be why God will wipe tears from our eyes (Rev 21:4).

What is in your Book

You will forget, or not even recognize, the vast majority of your good deeds. But God is constantly watching your life to see them, and He will not forget any of them (Heb 6:10).

So, what is being recorded about your life? It is not just the big things you do for God, but all the little things. Your Father will reward you for what He sees you do in secret, including praying and giving to others (Matt 6:4, 6). Notice that every time you pray, your Father sees you, and will reward you! This is why Jesus promised that if you give even a cup of cold water to one of His followers, it will be recorded and rewarded (Matt 10:42). Your Book in Heaven is going to be huge!

Have you ever felt like you are not very important? Or what you do is not very important? Jesus wants you to know that you will be rewarded for even the smallest things. Every time you serve your husband, your wife, your children, or your church, it is all being recorded and will be rewarded!

It is not only “spiritual” things you will be rewarded for. The Apostle Paul told slaves they would be eternally rewarded for “whatever” they did with enthusiasm for the Lord. (Col 3:23-24) When it comes to God rewarding us, it does not really matter what we are doing. But why we are doing it.

What will be your rewards?

It is difficult for us to imagine what our rewards will be like. This is one reason many are not motivated by the promise of eternal rewards. They think we should just be willing to serve God without rewards. But Jesus Christ commanded us to store up treasure in Heaven (Matt 6:19-21).

So why else do many Christians value eternal rewards so little? Because they have not suffered enough for God. People who have suffered a lot for God, are motivated by God’s promise of reward. This is why men like Moses, Isaiah, and Paul were motivated by their eternal rewards (Heb 11:24-26; Isa 49:4; 1 Cor 15:58; 2 Cor 4:16-17; 2 Tim 1:11-12; 4:7-8).

Why doesn’t the Bible describe our rewards more clearly? Because we are told Who will be rewarding us. Imagine what kind of gifts God can give you with unlimited power, amazing creativity, and a passionate love for you as His child!

What do we know about our eternal rewards? First, they will be extremely valuable. For example, one of the most painful things you can experience on Earth is being persecuted for your faith. You can lose your home, your job, your freedom, and even your life and the lives of your loved ones. But what did Jesus tell Christians to do when they are being persecuted? Rejoice and be glad (Matt 5:11-12)! Why? Because of how great your reward will be. The eternal pleasure you receive on the New Earth will far exceed any temporary pain you suffer for God on this Earth. Jesus said He will reward you 1000% for everything you sacrifice for Him (Matt 19:28-29)!

As we explain in week 18 of this study, the New Eternal Earth will have cities, farms, land, ministry, and positions of authority. These will be among the rewards Christians will receive (Matt 25:23; Luke 19:17). Part of your reward will be the greater glory of your new body (Zech 9:16-17; Matt 13:41; Phil 3:21). Like the stars, some bodies will shine with a brighter glory than others (1 Cor 15:40-43).

The rest of your life is like a book with blank pages. And what gets written in the Book of Your Deeds Done for God is your decision from this day forward. What do you want recorded today? Do deeds worthy of being recorded in your book in Heaven. And look forward to the reward Jesus will give you for all eternity.

Practical Application: What rewards would you most enjoy that God could give you? Take some time to think of 3 or 4 of these. And then thank God that He will give you beyond what you can even imagine. Share your answers with your small group.

In your small group meeting this week, share praises and prayer requests and then discuss these questions:

1) What Scriptures clearly teach that our sins will not even be mentioned when we meet Christ?

2) What are some Scriptures that are commonly misunderstood about our sins when we meet Christ? How have we explained these? What do you think?

3) According to Revelation 20:12, what will Christ use to reward us?

4) Why doesn’t God tell us more about what our rewards will be?

5) What kinds of things will we be rewarded for?

6) What was especially meaningful to you in this chapter? Why?