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
Earlier, we looked at how we are granted entrance into heaven only through the grace of Jesus Christ our Savior, only through His blood shed upon the cross to wash away our sins and make us pure so we may stand before the throne and kneel at God's feet (see Paid In Full from September 11, 2006). We, and the scripture of Paul, noted that our good works here on earth would not pay our way, but that Christ had already paid for us. Yet lest there be any confusion, the knowledge that we defeat death solely through the grace of our Savior should not deter us from performing those good works even if our efforts here will not get us into heaven. Why? Simple: We will be judged based on those very works!
These two concepts may seem contradictory on the face of it. First, we are granted salvation only by the blood of Christ, and our belief in Him as the Messiah. Second, we will be judged according to what we did on earth. If we are passed through into heaven because of our belief, why do we need worry about being judged?
The easy answer is that we need not worry. Heaven is our ultimate goal, and to reach it we need only believe in Christ. But as we discussed before, if you truly believe in Christ, truly know Him as your Savior, you will want to follow His path, you will feel a compulsion to live your life as He lived His, and as He directed in the Gospel. In effect, you will want to do good deeds, to help others, and especially to try to help others find their way to Christ.
The scripture is replete with evidence of admonitions for us to do good. In his 25th chapter, Matthew provides us with the words Jesus spoke, listing many ways the Lord will view our actions, including these:
"I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me."-- Matthew 25:35-36
He further explained these words by saying:
"Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."-- Matthew 25:40
We should take these words as a cautionary warning, a directive, and a blessing in that our Lord gives us a clear set of guidelines to follow.
In his Revelation of Jesus Christ, John provides us with a view of the end of time, when Christ shall again come, and come into His Kingdom. In the 4th verse of chapter 20, John assures us Jesus will come as a judge:
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beastor his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.-- Revelation 20:4
And by what are we judged, even those that have believed in Jesus as their Savior and followed His teachings? John tells us:
And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.-- Revelation 20:12-13
"I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil."-- Revelation 2:2
So if we are judged, and found worthy in our Lord's eyes, what then? We received entry to heaven for our belief in Christ and adherence to His way, so what do we gain from this final judgment? Again, the scriptures answer:
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.-- Colossians 3:23-24
"The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth."-- Revelation 11:18
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.-- Matthew 5:12
As those trying our utmost to live our lives for Christ, to follow the path He laid, we can only study so as to learn from His teachings and the words of His disciples, and await His return to take His Kingdom and redeem His children. But in the meantime, we can follow His directives to go into the world and repeat His message, to bring others to His throne, and to do good works.
"And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."-- Revelation 22:12
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad.
