DRAWING NEAR
July 29
The Joy of Anticipated Reward
"That the proof of your faith . . . may be found to result in
praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1
Pet. 1:7).
Your future reward is directly related to your present service.
The joy you experience after your faith has been tested and proven
genuine is largely due to your present blessings and assurance of
salvation. But there's a future aspect as well: the joy of
anticipating the reward you'll receive from Jesus when you see Him
face to face and hear "Well done, good and faithful servant! . . .
Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matt. 25:21, NIV). Peter
described it as the "praise and glory and honor [you'll receive] at
the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:7).
"Praise" in that text speaks of verbal commendation. To receive
"glory" is to be made like Christ. Jesus is the incarnation of God's
glory (John 1:14) and "we know that, when He appears, we shall be
like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is" (1 John 3:2). Paul
spoke of those who "by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and
honor and immortality" (Rom. 2:7). As a result they will receive what
they seek (v. 10).
Peter probably used "honor" as a synonym for rewards, which God will
grant to all who faithfully serve Him. I believe those rewards are
various capacities for heavenly service and are directly related to
the believer's service in this life. Jesus said, "Behold, I am coming
quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according
to what he has done" (Rev. 22:12). Paul said, "He who plants and he
who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to
his own labor" (1 Cor. 3:8).
God alone is worthy of praise, glory, and honor, but He will give you
all three because you'll be in the image of Jesus Christ--sinless and
fully glorified (1 John 3:2). Until that time, "watch yourselves,
that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may
receive a full reward" (2 John 8).
Suggestions for Prayer:
Praise the Lord for the joy of anticipating your future reward.
For Further Study:
Peter spoke of a time when Jesus will reward believers. What do these
verses teach about that time: Romans 8:18, 1 Corinthians 1:7-8, 2
Thessalonians 1:5-10, and 1 Peter 4:10-13?
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
John 1:14
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace
and truth.
Romans 2:7-11
7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good
seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but
obey unrighteousness; indignation and wrath,
9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of
the Jew first and also of the Greek;
10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good,
to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
11 For there is no partiality with God.
1 John 3:2
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been
revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we
shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
Romans 8:18
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
1 Corinthians 1:7-8
7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the
revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in
the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
5 which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that
you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also
suffer;
6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation
those who trouble you,
7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus
is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and
on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to
be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among
you was believed.
1 Peter 4:10-13
10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as
good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone
ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that
in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom
belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which
is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's
sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad
with exceeding joy.
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
http://www2.oneplace.com/Ministries/Grace_to_You/
and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
letters@gty.org
NOTE for those of you reading via newsgroups: If you wish to reach
me, please contact me via e-mail for quickest results.
In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus Is?
http://www.gty.org/Gospel
http://www.gty.org/
http://www.nwbible.org/
To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
.
|
