God rewards obedience

The book of James caused some consternation (and still does) because it seems to contradict the rest of the New Testament teaching that salvation is never by works, always by grace. In seeming contrast, James says, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead… Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? … You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:17, 20, 24). 

James argues that true faith results in action. For example, if someone banged on my  front door and told me that my house was on fire, I could believe it or not. But if I believed that person, I would do something, not just say, “Oh, that’s nice” and close the door in their face. 

Today’s reading is simple. It says, “Where true faith is, it will induce obedience; and where it does induce obedience, it will always, in one form or another, bring a blessing.”

 

Faith produces works. However, this reading takes the principal from James one step farther. Not only does true faith result in obedience, obedience results in a blessing. Here is one illustration.

Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. (Acts 14:8–10)

Because he believed, he was cured. Because he was cured, he stood up, he walked. These verses and the truths they demonstrate fly in the face of those who suppose that faith in God is useless or pointless or has no value. Faith is the only starting point for obedience. In fact, I will not do what God says if I do not believe Him or have doubts that His words or commands are right or valuable. Believing Him is always the first thing. 

Yet obedience is always rewarded, either here and now, or later. Some say that our spiritual lives and our obedience should not be based on hopes for a reward, but that is not a biblical idea. For instance, God promised a reward to Jesus for His obedience, as indicated by this:

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. (Hebrews 12:1–2)

For the joy set before Him, Jesus obeyed and endured, obediently going to the cross and dying for our sin. The idea of a reward was behind His obedience. He is not alone; God also promises rewards for obedience to His people.

Whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. (Ephesians 6:8)

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23–24)

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. (Hebrews 10:35)

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. (Hebrews 11:24–26)

Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. (Revelation 22:12)

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Lord, I do not think too much about rewards, particularly those that I will receive in heaven. I have very little knowledge of what that means. However, I do know the rewards of obedience in this life. Every time that I do what You ask me to do, I am filled with Your peace and experience the joy of the Holy Spirit. Just knowing that I have done Your will is a reward. Knowing that my obedience fits into Your eternal plan encourages me to trust and obey and to keep at it.

God’s Rewards

When gifts are given or a door held open or a kindness offered, I’m disturbed when those who receive do not say thank you. A grateful heart is important because the Bible says it is the first thing to go when people reject God.

Aside from that, such a response is a reward for the person who makes the offer. The idea of receiving a reward for doing a good thing seems to be built in. Even small children smile and wiggle when someone expresses thanks for what they do.

Thank you is not the only way to reward people.  A good day’s work is rewarded by wages. An athlete might get a medal or a trophy for their efforts. Even the sense of a job well done is reward for some, and a smile from a recipient can go a long way.

Theologians differ on the rewards that God will give, but He definitely rewards those who obey Him. This is stated and restated in Scripture and associated with the return of Jesus Christ.

Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. (Revelation 22:12)

The idea of being repaid by Jesus gives me a sense of anticipation, but also anxiety. I’m aware of the time that I’ve wasted in things that do not matter, and the choices that I’ve made that were frivolous. I’m also extremely conscious of the speed on the clock. The older I get, the faster it seems to move. Jesus’ words, “I am coming soon” do not help that sense of time running out. I not change the past and have less and less time left to build a better life of obedience.

Yesterday we attended Community ChristianChurch in Tamarac, Florida. The youth pastor presented a challenge by first telling us the multitude of choices we face on a constant basis. For instance, there are about 19,000 different ways to order a cup of coffee. Sonic drive-through kiosks have 168,894 beverage choices. He quickly moved to Scripture and showed how God’s people were side-tracked by poor choices. What they choose to listen to or look at often turned them from faith in God.

I can relate. For most of last year, God kept working on me so that I would choose more often to walk by faith instead of by sight. My history has been to pray with great confidence in the power of God, but when I could not see the answer, I lost my confidence. God says that He hears and answers prayer. My choices are to believe Him no matter what I can see, or to believe what I see. Seems like a no brainer, but walking by faith is always a challenge.

The second part of the message was about getting out of my comfort zone. Many times, choices are based on just that. When options come up, I tend to pick the easiest, or the most familiar or comfortable. However, God may be asking me to move into a new zone and trust Him, to again, walk by faith and not by sight, or by what seems the easier route.

The last part of the message included this sentence: “If I say no (to God), God will wait for a generation that will obey, but I will lose the opportunity to live to my potential.” Joshua offered a similar statement to God’s people when they faced new challenges.

Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:14–15)

Choosing to serve God can be about simple things like opening doors for others or saying thank you to express gratitude. It can also be about tasks that are far more challenging. Those that come to mind for me involve hard work. It would be easier to watch television, do puzzles, play computer games, or a whole host of things that are not particularly wrong, but are easy. However, I know they also have no recompense value.

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Lord, I am thankful that You have built-in the idea of rewards. While serving You is about loving You and trusting that Your way is the best, even the only way to live, rewards also motivate me. When I see Your face, at the very least, I hope that You will be smiling.