Too often we sense acutely—suspicion—folks are habitually taking us for
granted…. They just keep expecting, requiring, and demanding more from us
without giving much back in return. “Why are others so fortunate to constantly
receive benefits at my expense?” You protest. “When will it be my turn to
receive for a change?” You complain. The inequities are extremely annoying.
“This is not fair!” You exclaim. It sounds like someone feels a little too much
like a doormat, used, and perhaps even abused…right? Well, I have good news…God
has plans to reward you abundantly! Since you have poured out your life to
enrich others, He will compensate you accordingly. God promises to personally
ensure all you do for His glory will be properly rewarded at the appropriate
time.
A Clear Promise
Several promises have been issued in the Bible to challenge us Believers
to become all that God desires for us to be. Such promises should stir us to
journey onward and progress further in our Lord’s service. In Hebrews 6:10, the
writer reminds us that, “God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour
of love”. God will not forget your service that is rooted in godly love (Heb.
6:9, 10). He will not fail to recall your
industrious exertions for His Name’s sake. In fact God upholds this promise
with His own impeccable character and perfect faithfulness. His unadulterated
fairness, absolute reliability, and flawless memory forbid even a hint of
forgetting or overlooking your efforts. Our obedience and persistence will
bring Him glory and He deems this as something He can reward. Beloved, we could
never receive greater assurance than this!
Assurance of Capability
The Lord Jesus will remember everything you do in service to Him and
reward you accordingly (1 Cor. 3:10-15)! He is entirely aware of all your
sweat, tears, adjustments, sacrifices, readjustments, efforts, complications,
setbacks, break downs, restarts, advances, and struggles to maintain pace with
the tasks He has designated for you. Always bear in mind that we are “created in
Christ Jesus unto good works” (Eph. 2:10). Clearly we are not saved by good
works, but saved unto good works. He recreated us in the Lord Jesus with our
pre-designated assignments in mind. We are fitted to the works, and the works
are fitted to us! You can do anything and everything God calls you to do. You
need to know and trust this deeply.
The Glory of God
Also recall how the Lord Jesus challenges us to “Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is
in Heaven” (Matt 5:16). Again we engage in good works to glorify our great God
Who is actually working in and through us to execute His wonderful will (Phil.
2:12, 13). The intent should never be to glorify or bring attention to
ourselves. That would be sinful.
Christ Knows
Finally, the words of the glorious Christ spoken in The Revelation come
to mind. “I know thy works” says the Lord Jesus to each of the churches in Asia
(Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:8, 15). He knows fully! Our brilliant Savior totally
recognizes how you have sacrificed time, energy, money, privileges, advantages,
and opportunities to advance His will. He knows your struggles as you have
sought to obey Him fully…He knows when your heart is in it and when it is not.
He knows those who are opposing your efforts trying to frustrate you and His
work…believe me, He really does know. Never-the-less, He will reward your
faithfulness at the appropriate time; therefore, remain engaged for His glory
and the good of your fellowman. Keep serving, helping, praying, singing,
writing, supporting, witnessing, preaching, teaching, mentoring, equipping,
exhorting, caring, counseling, loving people, challenging, modeling,
encouraging, instructing, raising your family, evangelizing, giving, leading
your home, and working to advance His plan through you. Consider the stirring
words of the Apostle Paul, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast,
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that
your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). Your industry, passion, and expertise are
never ever expended in futility in the Lord Jesus. What a promise and
encouragement to remain steadfast in service for His glory!!
A Second Mile Christian
Therefore, do not quit! Do not give up! Do not permit yourself to become
frustrated or discouraged. While I realize you are hurting, Christ wants you to
do this for Him. I realize you cannot continue for those trying to take
advantage of you, but do it for Christ to sustain a testimony of His power and
grace at work in you (Matt. 5:38-48; Luke 6:27-36). Decide to do for the Lord
Jesus what you would not normally do for anyone else…including yourself. Remember,
the Lord Jesus was not only willing to become the doormat for the world; He
actually did so at Calvary…even for me and you. It was not His honor that was
most important—He looked beyond our faults and saw our need. Likewise, see the
need of those around you. Look at them…do you see their need for Christ, a solid
Christian testimony, an example of real devotion to God, and a life willing to
be jerked out of its comfort zones to advance the cause of Christ? Let them see
Christ radiantly shining fort from you. Through these challenges, transform
your very interactions with them into a pulpit set ablaze by informed passion
for Christ’s glory!
Overcoming Evil with Good
‘Bitterness’ and his cousin ‘Resentment’ are knocking at your front door greatly
desiring a commanding influence in your heart. By the grace of God, refuse their
entrance—there is no place for bitterness and resentment in Christ’s people. Yes,
some may be trying to get over on you…thinking you are too stupid to detect
what is happening…do not worry about that for now. God will judiciously handle this
on your behalf. It is also true that others are only interested in using you…that
is acceptable for now because God is using you in spite of them (Matt.
5:38-48). Heed the Apostle Paul’s counsel to “endure hardness, as a good
soldier of Jesus Christ” that you may “please Him” Who selected you (see 2 Tim.
2:3, 4). Seek to please your Lord as His unique servant! Refuse to be conquered
by evil; overcome their evil with God’s good through you (Rom. 12:21).
Use these promises to fuel your passion, inform your direction, inspire your faith, sustain your effectiveness, and
refresh your energies. Allow them to stimulate your labors of love. People will
fail to appreciate you down here, but still allow the love of Christ to compel
and propel you (1 Cor. 13; Rom. 12). God will not forget you at the Judgment Seat of
Christ. This you are roundly assured of by your faithful Heavenly Father.
‘Bitterness’ and his cousin ‘Resentment’ are knocking at your front door greatly desiring a commanding influence in your heart. By the grace of God, refuse their entrance—there is no place for bitterness and resentment in Christ’s people. Yes, some may be trying to get over on you…thinking you are too stupid to detect what is happening…do not worry about that for now. God will judiciously handle this on your behalf. It is also true that others are only interested in using you…that is acceptable for now because God is using you in spite of them (Matt. 5:38-48).
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2014/01/promise-of-rewards.html
#Frustration #Patience #Promise #Rewards #Sacrifice #Service #Faithfulness #God #Labor #MaxEvangel
‘Bitterness’ and his cousin ‘Resentment’ are knocking at your front door greatly desiring a commanding influence in your heart. By the grace of God, refuse their entrance—there is no place for bitterness and resentment in Christ’s people. Yes, some may be trying to get over on you…thinking you are too stupid to detect what is happening…do not worry about that for now. God will judiciously handle this on your behalf. It is also true that others are only interested in using you…that is acceptable for now because God is using you in spite of them (Matt. 5:38-48).
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2014/01/promise-of-rewards.html
#Frustration #Patience #Promise #Rewards #Sacrifice #Service #Faithfulness #God #Labor #MaxEvangel
Finally, the words of the glorious Christ spoken in The Revelation come to mind. “I know thy works” says the Lord Jesus to each of the churches in Asia (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:8, 15). He knows fully! Our brilliant Savior totally recognizes how you have sacrificed time, energy, money, privileges, advantages, and opportunities to advance His will. He knows your struggles as you have sought to obey Him fully…He knows when your heart is in it and when it is not. He knows those who are opposing your efforts trying to frustrate you and His work…believe me, He really does know. Never-the-less, He will reward your faithfulness at the appropriate time; therefore, remain engaged for His glory and the good of your fellowman.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2014/01/promise-of-rewards.html
#Frustration #Patience #Promise #Rewards #Sacrifice #Service #Faithfulness #God #Labor #MaxEvangel