23/10/2010 - THE REWARD WILL BE GIVEN ACCORDING TO OUR WORK

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And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. (Revelation 22:12)

The coming of Christ will be sooner than we think. In fact, Jesus Himself said that if that day had not shortened, no flesh would be saved (Mark 13:20). It is true that things will get even worse; the environmentalists, for instance, are constantly warning us about global warming and about the fact that if it continues, it will be impossible for life to exist on the planet. However, despite worrying so much about tomorrow here on Earth, many of them seem not to care about how they will spend eternity for they rebel against the biblical standards and do what the Lord condemns.

Many people will be left behind when the Rapture of the Church takes place (Matthew 24:40). So without the salt of the earth – the Lord\’s servants – life will be almost impossible, after all, the world will be shaken by so many evil deeds and sins that what we see today in the foulest dens is virtually nothing compared to what will come. Woe to the lost mankind because they do not know what awaits them! It will be even worse for the Christians who went the opposite direction and were carried away by the spirit of error because their suffering will be exceedingly great.

In His coming, Christ will bring the reward – the reward for all who have been faithful to Him (Isaiah 40:10; 62:11). What a beautiful day it will be when He will wipe away every tear from our eyes and crown us with His goodness forever (Revelation 11:18; 22:12). Evil will never get close to the place where the Lord will take us. However, those who have been carried away by sin, giving heed to the seducing spirits of passion, dishonesty, hatred, adultery and other wrongdoings will not be allowed to enter. Only those who have their clothes washed by the blood of Jesus and live in holiness will be admitted (Revelation 22:14-15).

Because our reward will be according to the work we have done, we must deny the devil any access to our lives. Therefore, coveting your neighbor’s wife, for example, is wrong, as well as lying, stealing, bearing false witness, and not speaking of the divine love. All the commandments should be observed from the very first one – which is to love God above all things and with all our heart and to have His commandments and keep them (John 14:21) – until the last, which is the order to go all over the world and preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). If you have not been called to do this personally, help those who have.

Since the reward will be given in accordance with the work done, he who does not keep the commandments will be left without his recompense. There are people who use and abuse the power of money to their own benefit and also to their eternal doom. But whoever gives at least a cup of water to any of our brethren in Jesus in His name, will assuredly receive his reward (Mark 9:41). Think about it and help the men of God to bring the Gospel to the darkest corners of the earth. May we give the lost ones a cup of water that restores their soul and takes them out of darkness because the reward is assured!

In Christ with love,

R. R. Soares