SOUNDING OUT:
The Life God Rewards (Part 2 of 2)

  What kind of life does God reward? For what sort of works will believers be rewarded when they stand before the judgment seat [bêma] of Christ? The simplest answer to this question, and the most general, is that we will be rewarded for everything we’ve done that was motivated by our love for the Lord as we were led by the Spirit. Indeed, Matthew 10:42 says that we would even be rewarded for simply giving a cup of cold water to someone because he is a follower of Christ.

  But the Bible specifically mentions many other things for which we can also be rewarded. The New Testament describes as many as five different “crowns,” which will be given to believers for various works of faithfulness, obedience, discipline, and love.

  There are two Greek words for “crown” in the New Testament: stephanos and diadêma. Diadêma is more typically used of a king’s crown. You may recognize the word from the song, All Hail the Power. We sing, “Bring forth the royal diadem and crown him lord of all.” Stephanos is used of what is often referred to as a laurel wreath, which were used to crown victors in various contests. We frequently find a comparison of a believer’s life with a race in the arena (I Corinthians 9:24-26; Galatians 2:2; 5:7; Philippians 2:16; 3:12-14; etc). These crowns were rewards of service and tokens of victory, celebration, and honor.

  We find the crown imagery used in at least two distinct senses in the New Testament. Paul refers to the churches at Philippi and Thessalonica as his crown (Philippians 4:1; I Thessalonians 2:19). His work in building up these fellowships are a source of hope and joy to Paul, and the crown is reward for his labor as an Ambassador of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Crowns are also awarded for faithfulness to the Gospel. Paul awaits a “crown of righteousness” at the end of his service; those who love God and persevere under trial will receive a “crown of life”; in addition elders who are faithful to feed the flock will receive a “crown of life” when the Chief Shepherd appears.

  The Word talks about at least five crowns or categories of reward:

  There’s nothing in the Word that I have found that suggests that this list is exhaustive.” Indeed, as we’ve already seen, the Bible seems to say that we will be rewarded for every act of love and service, which we do for the glory of God. However, the Bible not only indicates that we can gain rewards; it also warns us that we can forfeit them as well.

  Paul compared the Christian life to an athletic competition in which our goal is to win the prize. This is why he said in I Corinthians 9:27, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” Or as the NIV says, “I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” If we do not subject ourselves to God and His Word we will not receive the prize. We can forfeit the reward we could have earned if we are not faithful to continue in the faith.

  Although some suggest that rewards once earned may be lost if we neglect to remain faithful. The only “loss of reward” I see in the Word are the “loss of reward we could have gained” by continuing to do the Word. In the test of fire spoken of in I Corinthians 3:13-15, it says what endures the fire will remain. I find no indication that any subsequent bad work will erase prior good works. The loss of reward spoken of relates to future opportunities which are neglected or unused. However, to avoid that catastrophe, let us heed Paul’s advice and “run in such a way as to get the prize” (I Corinthians 9:24).

  The discipline training that we have endured and faithful labor we have done to date have engendered reward. If we continue to strive for the masteries (like I Corinthians 9:25 states) we will continue to lay up treasure in heaven and receive a full reward. Failure to continue to remain faithful and active will cost us the full reward we could have received had we not done so.

Power, Pleasures, and Possessions:
  What should we think about power, pleasures, and possessions? Are they merely temptations that should be avoided, or genuine goods that can be legitimately sought and desired? Although some may find it surprising, each of these things is good — at least considered simply in itself. Each finds its ultimate source in God. And each existed before sin and evil corrupted His good creation.

  God has always been powerful. He clearly took pleasure in His work of creation, repeatedly describing it as “good” (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). And as the Creator of all that exists (other than himself, of course), everything ultimately belongs to God (I Corinthians 10:26). Indeed, the Bible sometimes describes Him as the “possessor of heaven and earth” (Genesis 14:19). Clearly, then, there’s nothing inherently wrong with power, pleasures, or possessions.

  So why have these things gained such tainted reputations? Probably because they’ve so often been misused and abused by sinful men and women. Indeed, describing sin and evil as the misuse, abuse, perversion or corruption of some good gift of God is part of a long and venerable tradition in the history of philosophy and theology. And one doesn’t have to look very far to find plenty of examples of man’s sinful misuse of power, pleasures, and possessions. Just turn on the evening news, or read the local paper, and you’ll find many such examples. But we must always remember that it’s the misuse of these things that is sinful and wrong; the things in themselves are good and desirable. And this is confirmed by the teaching of Scripture.

  Consider the kind of rewards God offers us. For faithful and obedient service now, He promises power, pleasures, and possessions in eternity! Jesus made it clear that those who are faithful with the little things in this life will be rewarded with great power and authority in the next (Luke 19:15-19). He taught that those who invest their time, talents, and treasures in building God’s kingdom here and now are laying up great treasures in heaven for themselves in the hereafter (Matthew 19:21). And pleasures? The psalmist wrote of God, “In Thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever” (Psalms 16:11).

  God has created us each with desires for pleasure, possessions, and power. We want these things not because we are sinful but because we are human. Although our sinfulness can, and often does, lead us to misuse these things, we’ve seen that they’re actually good gifts of God. Power, possessions, and pleasures are legitimate objects of desire that our Creator has instilled in us and by which he can motivate us to obedience. May we faithfully serve the Lord, trusting him as “the Rewarder of those who diligently seek him.”