Today I have a guest post from Lori Morrow, one of Clay’s students at Biola University. In an on-line class discussion she posted such an exuberant explanation of how two verses about rewards in heaven changed her life that I wanted to share it with all of you. She writes about what we have to look forward to at the judgment seat (Greek bêma) of Christ when Jesus evaluates our works in order to reward us:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” ~2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV)

By Lori Morrow of Midland, Texas

“A Life God Rewards”

A few years ago I read a book that turned my life around: A Life God Rewards: Why Everything You Do Today Matters Forever. It’s a short, easy read about the bema seat and what happens for Christians at the judgment. There is lots of good information in that little book, but here are two verses it talked about and what they’ve done for me.

God Will Praise Us

“So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.” ~ 1 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT)

First, I’ve never had a better motive for purifying my heart than knowing it was going to be on display for the entire world to see: my dad (who’s already there), my mom, my eighth grade algebra teacher. Ugh. So I cut my losses and began to allow Jesus entrance to every part of my emotions so that this moment would be as benign as possible.

Second, I admit it, I love praise. I’m a former Miss West Texas so the stage and the spotlight are not unwelcome to me. But the thing that really gets me is that God is going to praise us. He—the only one deserving of praise—is going to praise us for everything we’ve done that is praiseworthy. Well, sign me up! I no longer have to make a big deal out of myself because God is going to make a big deal for me. If I do even the smallest thing that He decides is praiseworthy, He’s going to praise me publicly, whether anyone else appreciates it or not. I can live with that.

Since reading that verse, my priority has become daily looking for every opportunity to do something that He will find praiseworthy. And I can’t wait!

God Will Reward Us

“But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.” ~1 Corinthians 3:13-15 (NLT)

For the first time, I realized that heavenly reward is biblical. God is going to reward what we do. Why would anyone want to pass that up? Heaven is forever. If God decides to give me a reward, I get to keep it forever. If He decides I don’t get one, then I lose it forever. If He’s willing to reward me, then I’m a fool to forfeit it because my forfeiture will be forever.

Therefore, heaven is going to be full of people celebrating God’s graciousness for eternally rewarding them for everything they were willing to do for His cause. He created life, He watched while we blew it, He offered us redemption, He gives us opportunities to live for Him, He empowers us to do the tasks He sets before us, and then He rewards us when we do them—forever! Evidence suggests He will give us tasks in our eternity that are commensurate with our effort on earth [Luke 19:12-26]. What a marvelous way to endure the momentary afflictions of this life, knowing that our great God is preparing a place of productivity and blessing for us in the eternal. Bring it on!

Live life big! Because eternity will be even bigger! Be intentional about your walk with Christ because every moment counts.

“Store your treasure in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” ~Matthew 6:20 (NLT)