Rewards later and now

 

This week I’ve felt some pressure to add my quilts to an upcoming show. My old life was extremely competitive. Since Christ came in, I’ve increasingly wanted others to do well, succeed and be encouraged. It does not matter to me to have people praise my efforts because I know when God is enabling me and have an increasing desire that He is praised.

Today’s devotional is about enduring persecution because there is a reward in heaven. It made me think of ribbons won in a quilt show. That used to be important, but not so much anymore. For me, the greatest reward is the joy experienced by those who receive a quilt, and the joy of those who receive a ribbon.

Yes, a quilt takes many hours and considerable dollars to design, gather fabrics, and construct, and that could be considered a sacrifice, but when something is done in love, that is not an issue either. Moms who love their children do not gripe because the child needs them at three in the morning. I do not gripe because someone needs the comfort of a quilt no matter what it costs me to give it.

For the same reason, the promise of my reward in heaven is not a motivation to share Christ with others. That can make it too much about me, me, me when the good news is about Jesus and about those who need to hear of His love for them and who need to experience His unconditional love.

A woman once said to me, “I love helping people because it makes me feel so good.” I didn’t say it then, but have thought often, ‘but what if it doesn’t make you feel good?” What if love means hanging on a cross until you suffocate and die? What if loving others costs you your back account? Or health? Or all your spare time?

The beatitudes are not about love, but about attitudes and results. Some will want pride and confidence more than they want poverty of spirit and the kingdom of heaven. However, when Jesus comes in and puts us in His family, He also brings in a love that is so powerful that dumping pride and self-confidence becomes a delight, replacing that me, me, me with great joy in doing something good for someone else, regardless of the cost.

Yes, it is in the Christian experience to be persecuted, but the love of Christ endures . . .

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Hebrews 12:1–4)

He endured for the joy set before Him so He could give His people that joy, not only in the future but in the middle of our suffering.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11–12)

Lord Jesus, some people are future oriented, always looking ahead. I’m not, nor do I think much about what is past. I understand why rewards could appeal to others. For me, living for You and loving others like You do is about joy right now. That means being filled with Your Spirit. The Spirit gives joy, even during hardship. I appreciate Your words in Matthew 5 and Your promises for the future yet I also am very grateful for the vitality of life You grant to me each moment of each day. You know my weaknesses and You supply the grace and peace to get me through, even enable joy when otherwise I might be devastated and filled with grief. Besides that, Your love drives me to speak up, to tell others the good news, without thinking how they might react negatively but with hope of the opposite and delight that I’ve done what You ask me to do. So what if I suffer? You suffered far more!

READ Hebrews 11 and note the results of faith. How are they all positive?

 

 

 

Receiving Christ’s Wounds

 

When someone said to me, “How dare you claim to be a child of God” their rejection of my claim echoed those who crucified Jesus because He dared to claim Himself the Son of God, God in human flesh. At the time, I didn’t recognize that the rejection I received was really aimed at Jesus.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (Matthew 5:10–11)

Today’s devotional points to Italian reformer Savonarola (1452–1498) who was called “the Burning Beacon of the Reformation.” He preached against the sin and corruption in the church of his day and many who heard him were dazed, bewildered, and speechless. Sobs of repentance often were heard as the Holy Spirit moved in their hearts. However, some refused to even tolerate the truth. Eventually, they had him executed.

God didn’t call me to be a preacher. However, I am to be “salt and light” in a thirsty and dark world. Some people will declare themselves on a salt-free diet and love the darkness. Jesus said, “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” (John 3:20) Does this mean they will not tolerate the truth they see and hear from me? It’s possible. Jesus also said:

Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. (John 15:20)

Sin makes people intolerant toward righteousness. It exposes them. When Jesus lived among us, no one had ever seen a perfect man. As they saw His works and heard His words, they realized the contrast between His perfections and their lives. Sin pressed them to find fault, to mistreat and mock, and finally crucify the One they could not measure up to, the God-man sent from heaven to save them from the sin that drove them to kill Him. As the psalmist said:

But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty, and many are those who hate me wrongfully. Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good. (Psalm 38:19–20)

These and other passages prophesy that people would hate Christ without just cause and Jesus says that will happen to those who follow Him. They may not hate us personally, but they resent and resist all that we believe. Christ isn’t here for them to lash out at, so His people become targets — and for some, like Savonarola and thousands more, this means death. MacArthur says for me it could mean social alienation or other forms of persecution, yet the way the world is going, death is not out of the possibilities.

Whatever happens, the NT gives assurance. One verse says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18) Another adds, “But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:13)

Jesus, I cannot write this without thinking of the word some. Jesus endured rejection from everyone yet after His resurrection, some believed, then many believed, even some of the Pharisees that had been against Him. I am not perfect, not an object of pure hatred. To me, that means I can suffer for Christ’s sake, but not all will reject me because they reject Him. Some will be saved. Some will hear about Jesus and say yes to faith and repentance. If I focus on persecution, I will be tempted to be silent. If I focus on possibilities of acceptance and salvation, then I will share with others in whatever way You prompt me and in the opportunities that You give. Knowing I will suffer for Jesus could give me a martyr complex. Knowing others might believe keeps me focused on Your mighty power, grace and love that transforms lives.

READ Acts 9:1-31 and 1 Timothy 1:12-17 and remember the power of Christ to change lives. Rejoice that He is the same today and a word from Him (who created the universe with words) is still in the business of rescuing sinners and changing them from hating Him and His people to those who love Him and His people.