Phil Rowlands

Hello, my friends!

Today, I'd like to share some thoughts with you about the incredible grace of God and how it relates to our lives both now and in eternity. It's a subject that often gets overlooked or misunderstood, but I believe it's crucial for us to grasp as we walk with Jesus.

Friends, have you ever wondered about the significance of your daily actions and choices? I'm not talking about the big, dramatic moments, but the small, seemingly inconsequential things we do each day. Jesus taught us that everything we do matters – not just for this life, but for the life to come. He often spoke about rewards in heaven, saying things like, “Great is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:12). This isn't about earning our salvation – that's entirely by grace through faith in Christ. Rather, it's about living a life of significance, knowing that our faithful actions today have eternal consequences.

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, “Wait a minute, doesn't this contradict the idea of grace?” It's a fair question, and one that deserves careful consideration. The gospel is indeed freely offered to all who believe, based solely on what Jesus has done for us. We can't earn our salvation or God's love – it's a gift, pure and simple. As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

But here's where it gets interesting: once we're saved, God invites us to participate in His kingdom work. And He promises to reward our faithfulness. Jesus Himself spoke about this often, encouraging His disciples with the prospect of future rewards. In Matthew 6:20, He says, “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Friends, this isn't about becoming mercenary Christians, doing good deeds just to get something in return. Rather, it's about understanding the heart of our loving Father who delights in blessing His children. It's about recognising that every act of love, every sacrifice made for His sake, every moment spent in faithful service – none of it goes unnoticed by God.

The Apostle Paul grasped this truth deeply. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, he writes, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” Paul understood that living for Christ involved both grace and reward – not as contradictory concepts, but as complementary truths that reflect the generous heart of God.

Now, let's address a common misconception. Some argue that teaching about heavenly rewards leads to legalism or undermines grace. But when we look at the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, we see that they consistently encouraged believers with the prospect of future rewards. This wasn't seen as contradicting grace, but as an expression of God's goodness.

Consider the parable Jesus told in Matthew 20:1-16, about the workers in the vineyard. Some worked all day, others for just an hour, yet all received the same wage. When the all-day workers complained, the vineyard owner (representing God) said, “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?” This parable beautifully illustrates how God's rewards are based on His grace and goodness, not on our merit or calculations.

Friends, it's crucial to understand that everything we have and everything we do for Christ is only possible because of His grace. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” Our ability to serve God, to love others, to persevere in faith – it all comes from Him. So, when God rewards us, it's not because we've earned it or put Him in our debt. It's a further expression of His grace and generosity.

Think about it this way: when a loving father gives his child an inheritance, and that child uses it wisely and productively, isn't it natural for the father to entrust that child with more responsibility and blessing? This doesn't negate the father's love or generosity – it's an extension of it. In the same way, God delights in rewarding His children who faithfully steward what He's given them.

The beauty of this truth is that it frees us from both complacency and legalism. We're not working to earn God's love or salvation – those are already ours in Christ. But we're also not indifferent to how we live, because we understand that our lives matter to God and have eternal significance. As Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

This “judgment seat” isn't about determining our salvation – that's settled for believers. Rather, it's about rewards, about Christ evaluating how we've lived our lives and used the gifts He's given us. And here's a wonderful truth: even these rewards are by grace! Jesus told a parable about servants doing their duty, and then said, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'” (Luke 17:10) Even when we've done everything right, we can't put God in our debt. Any reward He gives is a gift of grace.

Friends, let me encourage you with this thought: nothing you do for Christ is wasted or forgotten. Even a cup of cold water given in His name will be remembered and rewarded (Matthew 10:42). This isn't about keeping score or trying to earn points with God. It's about living with an eternal perspective, knowing that our King is watching and that He delights in acknowledging even the smallest acts of faithfulness.

So how should we live in light of this truth? First, let's be motivated by love, not by the prospect of reward. We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Our primary goal should be to please the One we love, not to earn something for ourselves. Second, let's live with eternity in view, making choices that will matter in the long run, let's trust in God's goodness and generosity. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6), not because we deserve it, but because He is so incredibly good.

Friends, it's important to remember that this teaching about rewards isn't new or controversial. Throughout church history, great theologians and teachers have recognised this truth, even if some of their doctrine was a bit questionable to say the least. Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and many others saw the biblical balance between grace and rewards. They understood that God's grace doesn't just save us – it empowers us to live for Him and then rewards us for doing so.

Consider the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. He speaks of varying degrees of reward in the coming kingdom. In Matthew 5:19, He says, “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” This shows us that while all believers are saved by grace, our faithfulness in this life does impact our experience in eternity.

Now, you might be wondering, “How does this affect my daily life?” Well, it should inspire us to live with purpose and intentionality. Every act of kindness, every moment of patience, every sacrifice made for the sake of others – these things matter to God. They're not just good deeds; they're investments in eternity. As Paul writes in Colossians 3:23-24, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

Friends, this truth should fill us with hope and encouragement. No matter what your circumstances, no matter how small or insignificant your service might seem, God sees it all. He values your faithfulness, and He will reward it. This isn't about comparing ourselves to others or trying to outdo one another. It's about running our own race, being faithful with what God has given us, and trusting Him with the results.

Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25? The master rewarded the servants who had been faithful with what they were given, regardless of the amount. It wasn't about the quantity of their results, but the quality of their faithfulness. This teaches us that God doesn't expect us all to have the same impact or achievements. He simply calls us to be faithful with what He's entrusted to us.

Let me emphasise again that this teaching about rewards is thoroughly grounded in grace. We don't earn God's love or acceptance – those are freely given to us in Christ. But God, in His goodness, chooses to acknowledge and reward our faithfulness. It's a beautiful picture of His generosity and kindness towards us.

Be blessed today, my brothers and sisters. May you walk in the freedom of God's grace, knowing that your life has eternal significance. May you be filled with gratitude for His undeserved favour and may that gratitude overflow into faithful service. And may you look forward with joy to that day when you'll hear those beautiful words from our Saviour: “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:21)

Phil