THE REWARD OF THE RIGHTEOUS

THE REWARD OF THE RIGHTEOUS"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." (Revelation 22:12)

BELIEVERS ARE OBSCURE IN THIS WORLD. It "does not yet appear" who they are, or what they will be (1 John 3:1-3). The whole creation, inflicted with mortality because of man's sin, is waiting for "the manifestation of the sons of God" (Rom 8:19). They are still waiting because the sons of God are presently incognito, or under cover. Only those who are reconciled to God have any idea who the sons of God are – and even they possess only partial knowledge.

HOWEVER, IT SHALL NOT ALWAYS BE SO. The return of our blessed Lord, and the consequent "day of judgment," will be a time of reward for the saints of the most high God! Ranking highest in the rewards will be the Lord Himself who is, as He was with our father Abraham, our "exceeding great Reward" (Gen 15:1). As it is written, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Heb 11:6). And what is the ultimate reward for those who seek HIM? "God Himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Rev 21:3).

IN THAT DAY GOD WILL "PRAISE THOSE who have left all to labor for Him. How glorious the affirmation! "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God" (1 Cor 4:5). In this world, there are those who seek the praises of men. Others seek the praise of God – and they shall receive it. As it is written, "For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:43). How provocative are the words of Jesus, "How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?" (John 5:44). Whose praise do you seek? And, how zealous are you in the matter?

REWARDS WILL BE INTENSELY PERSONAL. Every man shall "receive his own reward, according to his own labor" (1 Cor 3:8). Throughout the chambers of eternity, praise will resound as Divine judgment results in the rewarding of the faithful. Think of the preciseness of these rewards. "He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward" (Matt 10:41-42).

THE REWARD SHALL BE IN DIRECT PROPORTION to the labor and faithfulness of the servant. Though unrecognized and often unrewarded in the earth, their labor has not gone unnoticed by the Lord of heaven and earth. "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matt 25:31). Who dares to imagine the extent of becoming a ruler over "many things!" Let the saints ponder the greatness of what is to come.

THE PEOPLE OF GOD DO WELL to emulate their Father in honoring His servants here. Of the Lord, it is said, "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister" (Heb 6:10). As a practical observation, it is ALWAYS unrighteous to forget the work and labor of God's people. God certainly does not do it, and neither should we. Count as precious those who have expended themselves for the work of the Lord.

– Given O. Blakely