According to What We Have Done

June 8

(Psalm 62:5-12 NIV) “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. {6} He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. {7} My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. {8} Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah {9} Lowborn men are but a breath, the highborn are but a lie; if weighed on a balance, they are nothing; together they are only a breath. {10} Do not trust in extortion or take pride in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. {11} One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, {12} and that you, O Lord, are loving. Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done.”

(Matthew 16:24-27 NIV) “Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. {25} For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. {26} What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? {27} For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.”

(Luke 6:20-23 NIV) ““Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. {21} Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. {22} Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. {23} "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.””

Salvation comes by grace through faith. It is a gift from God, coming to us through the work of Jesus on the cross. We cannot buy it, or earn it through human effort. Our hope for heaven comes from Christ alone. Our salvation depends on Him. But there are some things that we can earn from God. He calls them rewards. Their nature is a mystery, but their existence is a certainty. They are spoken of throughout Scripture. They come in heaven for deeds of honor and faith done here. They are distributed on the other side for godly behavior on this side. Honesty, integrity, generosity, deeds of kindness done in God’s name -- these are all part of life’s ledger. Enduring persecution for godliness also increases our reward. Lifting up the name of Jesus and reflecting His light into this dark world can add to our blessing in heaven. There really is someone keeping track of your deeds of love. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day