Endurance is Rewarded

Chuckle: A driver slowed when he saw the “sold out” sign. He pulled into the next station with $3.00 gas. He complained to the operator about the cheaper gas down the street, but they are sold out. The operator said, ”Our gas is only $2.00 a gallon when we're sold out."

Today’s Quote: “There is a strength of quiet endurance as significant of courage as the most daring feats of prowess” --Henry Theodore Tuckerman

"We must not become tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9 NCV). "So don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time" (NLT).

Sometimes we come to places in life where just giving up and quitting seem to be the best alternatives. You may feel like you're banging your head against a wall in you work or profession. You may feel discouraged because of the choices made by your children or grandchildren. There will be many times in life when you will feel like throwing in the towel. Let's think together about what God would have us do in these situations.

First, let's keep in mind that our salvation is not earned by what we do -- doing good is not enough. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV). So, if our salvation is not determined by our doing good works, what is the "harvest of eternal life/blessing" that Paul advances in our Galatians passage? I think the next verse in Ephesians 2 will help answer that question. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).

If our salvation is by grace through faith, and God has prepared the good works we are to do as Christians, what is our reward for faithfulness in fulfilling the purpose and good works God has planned? Listen to Paul again: "If any man builds on this foundation (Jesus Christ) using Gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, . . . It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's (person's) work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames" (1 Corinthians 3:12-15 NIV).

In summary, if you are born again Christian, your eternal life in heaven is assured. However, you should desire to please your Lord by living for Him by faithfully serving others -- the good works God has planned for you to do. If you endure to the end by faithfully doing good, you will receive your rewards in heaven. Will you be one who receives a harvest of rewards or one who enters God's presence and receives no rewards? Will you hear God say, "Well done, good and faithful servant?" (Matthew 25:21 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse