Receiving the Reward Not Based on Merit

Receiving the Reward Not Based on Merit Devotional Reading and Podcast

Cambridge Dictionary defines work-life balance as “the amount of time you spend doing your job compared with the amount of time you spend with your family and doing things you enjoy.”

If you created a time log for hours spent working, preparing yourself [personal hygiene and dressing], and roundtrip travel would it exceed 60 hours a week? Then you may need to consider other career options. God always requires us to put Him first. He never places us in a situation in which we do not have time to worship and fulfill our spiritual assignment.

What are the chances of your employer rewriting your job description after hiring? The chances are very slim. The job description is specific and outlines the expectations of each employee. Unless specified, no variables or negotiable terms exist in the contractual agreement between the employer and employee. Job descriptions legally protect the employer as well as the employee.

The salary and specific time of merit raises are also included in the job description. Merit raises are based on an employee’s performance. Every employee who has not received disciplinary action can expect to receive a merit raise annually for a job well done.

Certainly, God created us to work and have the provisions for the requirements of everyday life. Yet, we also need sufficient rest for spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical restoration. Spiritually, we require intentional time with God in personal worship that should be part of our morning and evening routines. Love for God, faith, trust, humility, and obedience along with praying, studying the Bible, and witnessing are Christ’s requirements of every Christian believer.

Many Christians feel that the Great Commission of witnessing is optional. Every follower of Christ has a work to do: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20). Although we will not personally baptize, we are required to spread the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Like the employer who remains steadfast in their contractual agreement, God also expects that we will obey and complete our daily spiritual task of witnessing. We have limitless options to use our talents. Residents in nursing homes love sing-a-longs, teaching others how to paint or do crafts, joining a church’s outreach ministry, volunteering in a food pantry, or even in the store telling someone “Jesus loves you.” Our love and kindness displayed by a smile, and saying good morning are also nonverbal ways of witnessing.

Contrary to trendy beliefs, it is not enough for us to attend church, give tithe and offerings, and strive to live righteously. The reward of receiving eternal life also requires daily witnessing. Through the advancement of technology, we can witness of Christ’s love and saving power through various platforms. Share Scriptures, make reels, place an ad to do free lawn mowing, or make a meal for an elderly person. Helping others demonstrates our love for God.

There is no middle ground between obedience and disobedience. Either we love God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds or not!

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” —James 2:14-17

Although our spiritual gifts and talents vary, every believer has a spiritual assignment with one goal, “To tell others of the love of Christ who died for the redemption of our sins.” Faith allows us to believe in and obey the Triune God. Every Scripture in the Bible applies to us including Jesus’ command to witness and make disciples. Who will tell them, if we don’t?

Faith plus Works shows that our hearts are bursting with love for Jesus. The followers of Christ who pray and surrender themselves every day to the will of God reveal humility, faith, trust, and obedience. Works alone can never save us, yet, works validate our faith and indicate our spiritual status with God.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. —1 Corinthians 15:58

Our spiritual raise will be given when Jesus comes again, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12). For our faithful obedience along with fulfilling our commission, we will receive immortality and life in a perfect, sinless, New Heaven and New Earth where the atmosphere is filled with Agape love. Let the redeemed of the Lord, say Amen!

Prayer: God, we ask You to reveal our spiritual gifts and talents so we can further the work of Jesus in these last days. In Jesus’ Holy Name, Amen.

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