Eternal rewards?

What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:9

Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:11

 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19-20

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 1 Corinthians 3:12-13

What have you done that will last into eternity? Salvation is the free gift through the sacrifice of the cross by Jesus Christ. But any heavenly reward has to do with our works of obedience through the God-instilled/implanted faith within us by the instruction and direction from the Holy Spirit. Do you ask for His direction for you every day? Are you walking with Him or are you asking Him to walk with you? Which one would bear more eternal fruit? Are you listening for His prompting and guidance? Can you hear His ‘still small voice’ telling you what to do? (1 Kings 19:11-13)

Has the human condition changed? Have we somehow overcome the need for His character to be implanted and worked out within us? Are we free of the curse of the flesh? Or does each generation have the same soul challenges to deal with? The voice of the enemy lures to the false idea that technology is the answer to all our problems. They say we can ‘build’ our way to eternal heaven. Remember — mankind has tried that before several different ways with disastrous results. Many believe that they will soon be able to slip out of this mortal body and put on a ‘new’ body made by man of technology … and live forever, somehow surpassing and bypassing the plan God has laid out for those who love Him.  

The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:47

For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:53-54

What then will go with us into eternity? What will be eternal as a testament to our faithful service to Him? The scriptures speak of ‘crowns’. Have you ever searched that out? Do you know what it will take to obtain an eternal crown?

On that Day… everyone will have all that they have done placed in the ‘fire’, that which remains will be your testament… and your crown will be forged. Have you learned discipline? Have you learned to bear suffering with joy? Have you learned to seek His plans rather than your own? Have you learned that it is better to be focused on others rather than you own desires? And best yet – to be focused on His desires? Have you even asked Him what His heart desires are for you specifically …that He created you only to do? Are you living the life He wants for you? Whose life are you living? His? Or yours?

Are you ready to have all of your works, words, actions, and deeds face the fire of God? What will remain? Do you think your rituals (Sunday service attendance, tithing, etc) and formulas have God’s favor and will be counted as eternal, that your regular ‘giving’ or recited many-worded prayers will last through the ‘fire’? Sitting in a church service does not make you His.

God looks on the heart of a person. What was done in willing submission to the instruction specifically given to you by the Holy Spirit? Do you willingly submit to Him with every decision? Do you bring EVERY thought captive to Christ? Do you submit your will to His?

Don’t guess. Ask Him. Grow your relationship with Him. Or are you too busy to bother with all of this?