Living For Eternal Rewards

Introduction - Rewards Means

Reward: Life is made in such a way that before it can impact, there must be something that will keep the individual to it. This thing is what dictates the daily, hourly and every point in time what action the person takes and that accumulates together to getting to the goal. That thing I am talking about here is the prize you receive at the end of every action we take. This a fundamental Principle of Life. So, we see that there is Cause and Effect – Actions and consequences. That is the very foundational principle of life for livelihood of humankind and that same principle is Soul and Reaping.

Rewards in life cannot be missed. Once you live and always take decisions, make choices, take actions, this means reward will come one way or the other. Just that, it may not be in your favor.

When a bad action is taken you get the subsequent bad consequence. So, the bible says for what a man sows is what you reap. Gal 6:7-9. This is what covers all the things that God has in store humankind; Rewards!

God’s Faithfulness as the Ultimate Rewarder

AS we have always learned from scriptures, that God reveals Himself and who He is/His very nature through His deeds and works of His hands. For instance, we call Him God the Healer, God the Provider, so also, He is called Jehovah Gemulah – which means The Lord who Rewards.

(Gemulah (גְּמוּלָה - gemûlâh): This Hebrew word comes from the root word "gamal" (גָּמַל), in Hebrew which means "to deal with," "to recompense," "to reward," or even "to punish" according to what is deserved. The form "gemulah" often signifies a complete repayment or recompense, whether for good or bad.)

So, the very nature of God is to reward and that is what makes Him the Just God. Colo 3:25. vs25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

Peter who wasn’t sure of the reward after answering his call has to ask Jeus what to expect as he leaves all he has behind to follow Christ Mark 10:28-30. Vs28 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”vs29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, vs30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

So, Hebrews 11:6, the bible says (6But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.)

The Reward, Your Purpose:

Since reward has been woven in the very fabric of life, it is the reward we pursue that should be our purpose. If you have the prize ahead of you, it helps keep you focused and endure all the moments, obey, humble, serve, give your all, sacrifice, even if it’s all you have for your walk with God, He’ll surely reward you accordingly. The Reward will influence your daily thoughts, choices, actions, career, and ultimately your life purpose.

Case Study:

Look at Abraham, right at the time of his calling, the Lord placed the prize of his Reward before him even when he was yet to answering it, right in front of him that (Gen 12:1-3)

 vs1Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. vs2, I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. vs3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”)

all nations of the world is blessed through him… WHY (Gen 17:10 – 27 23So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day, as God had said to him. 24Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26That very same day Abraham was circumcised, and his son Ishmael; 27and all the men of his house, born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him. )?

He’s Father of nations and all faith… WHY? And the Lord said, I swear by myself that blessing I will surely bless you… WHY (Gen 22:1-19? 15Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—17blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. 18In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

This was just an ordinary man living his life just like us all but diligently worshiping his God and that became the purpose of his life. Abraham new the promises as a reward if only he kept Jehovah Gemulah’s covenant by faith, Obedience, Humility, and always did exactly what the Lord asked him and acted promptly without delay, mummering, consulting others, or sought opinions. Abraham was rewarded with Eternal/generational rewards; Abraham Bosom , father of all faith, etc

The Eternal Rewards: Our Dispensation

Just as the Lord called Abraham from his people so the Lord has called us into His glory. Just as He established His covenant with Abraham so also, He has established His covenant with us through His Son Jesus Christ in the new covenant. So, the Lord rewarded Abraham with all these blessings because Abraham: Had faith, Obeyed, Humbled, and always did exactly what the Lord asked him and acted promptly without delay, mummering, consulting others, or sought opinions.

But, as the topic for today is about “Eternal Rewards”. So, what is the Eternal Reward? These  are what we will receive after we have completed our Christian life journey. They are:

· Crowns that Last forever – Athletes go through tough training to get reward that will wither 1Corinthians 9:25

- A Crown of Righteousness – I have fought the good fight 2Timothy 4:8

- A Crown of Glory – Elders shepherding the church for this reward 1Peter 5:4

- A Crown of Life –    James 1:12

· A Kingdom Prepared for Us – Mattew 25:34

- A place in Heaven – John 14:2-3

· Eternal Life – Romans 2:7

· Eternal Glory – 2Corinthians 4:17

I want conclude with how we obtain the Eternal Rewards.

Obtaining the Eternal Rewards:

There are many scriptural means to access the eternal Rewards both on earth just as Abraham did through his walk with the Lord, and they are:

1. Believe/faith in God

2. Obedience to God

3. Diligently relied on God.

Also Hebrews 11:6, the bible says (6But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.)

1. Your choice to make to come to the Lord.

2. You have to believe that the Lord is

3. … and that He is Jehovah Gemulah; God the Rewarder – Colossians 3:23-24 vs23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, vs24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. vs25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

4. … Chose to diligently seek God the Rewarder. John 7:7-8

Because the Lord, Jehovah Gemulah, God the Rewarder, will never withhold anything good from the one who diligently and uprightly walks with Him as the Psalmist rightfully puts it. Psalm 84:11 vs11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.