Who gets the reward? : By James Lantz
According to God’s own word, he declares that he is a rewarder. Heb. 11:6 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. Remember, what God gives by grace must be received by faith. Eph. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. This word saved is translated from the greek word sozo, which includes the following meanings – safe, to save, deliver, protect, heal, preserve, do well or make whole. This same greek word sozo, is translated healed, in the account of the crippled man jumping to his feet. Acts 14:9&10 The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet. And he leaped and walked. The greek word sozo is used in reference to God’s saving, healing, or delivering from any kind of bondage. John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (sozo). The reward referred to in Hebrews 11:6 includes eternal life, healing, provision, protection and every good gift God has for us. The rewards referred to includes those in this life on earth and the rewards we will get when we get to heaven. The crippled man from Lystra received the reward of healing from paralysis in his legs because he believed God. Everyone who turns away from their life of sin and receives Jesus Christ as their Lord is rewarded with eternal life. It is not the scoffer, the liar, the gossip, the worrier, the fornicator, the drunkard, the covetous, or the slacker who will receive the reward. The one who forsakes sin and commits his life into God’s hand is in position to receive God’s rewards. All of God’s children have the right to receive forgiveness for their sins. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Repentance and confession is God’s method of restoration for the child of God who erred in sin. Tradition says that everyone has some sin in them, but the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God. (see 2 Cor. 5:21) Usually when I ask the children, if God cleanses us from all sin, how much is left, they answer none. Often when I ask adults this same question, they hesitate or refuse to answer because in their mind everyone (even blood washed saints) has some sin in them. Jesus said that traditions of men stop the word of God from working in our life. We are not able to come boldly before the throne of grace unless we are confident that the blood of Jesus has cleansed us from all sin. If we are allowing sin in our life then we are not going to get the reward that God has for us. Heb. 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. God’s desire is for everyone to be able to come into the throne room and receive whatever we need from him based on the righteousness that Jesus gave us. Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. No wonder the writer of the proverbs says to guard your heart above everything else. Jesus said that evil, in a mans heart, would defile him. Heb. 10:38 Now the just (righteous) shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. God says the one who doubts and draws back cannot receive the reward and therefore God does not have the pleasure of blessing him with a reward. Rom. 14:23 . . . for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Heb. 11:6 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. Drawing back from what God says will cause us to go backwards and lose ground. Peter acted on Jesus command to come to him on the water. He got out of the boat and by faith walked on the water toward Jesus. Then seeing the effects of the strong wind Peter began to doubt and therefore he began to sink. Mt. 14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore dids’t thou doubt? So Jesus corrected Peter as they walked back to the boat. It will not take us weeks or months to get back on our faith if we are correctable. The Lord said that we would be rewarded greatly in heaven for suffering persecution for his sake. Soul winners get a soul winners crown! We will get a prophets reward for helping the prophet. We will be rewarded for giving a drink of cold water to one of God’s little one’s. There is reward of natural provision for all who seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
There are also many warnings about the wrong kind of rewards for those who walk after the lust of their flesh. God warns us because he doesn’t want us experiencing what is reserved for the disobedient. 2 Pet. 2:13-15 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls; an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; Jesus stated that the person who buried his talent was wicked and slothful and the only reward that he gets is to be thrown into outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. In Deuteronomy twenty eight we find that the curse will come on people who refuse to serve God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things. I trust that you, like me, are interested in the rewards on the blessing side. Remember every good gift and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights. Recognize that every reward from our Heavenly Father is a gift. Every reward is to be received by faith (no exceptions). Actually faith and action (obedience) is required to receive the reward. James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works (acts of obedience), is dead, being alone. James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your ownselves. The Apostle James makes it real clear that if we want the blessing (reward) we must do what God says to do. The Holy Ghost through the Apostle Paul adds this testimony. Heb. 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise (reward). Jesus wrote to one of the churches, get back to doing the first works or I will remove your candlestick. John wrote that believing on the name of Jesus Christ and loving one another is being a doer of the word. Jesus said, not everyone that says to me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of my Father in heaven. Do the word and be blessed!
2 Cor. 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak
