Hats Off wrote:When Billy Graham came to the Senators stadium in Canada, seats were reserved at the front for the people who were involved in bringing him to Ottawa, as well as for local dignitaries. Behind them sat the people who were responsible to go to the help of any who responded to Graham's message and needed prayers or other support. Behind them, were the people who paid extra for better seats. Behind them, the people sat in the order in which they had registered. Finally, the late registrants sat in the parking lot watching on large screen TV.
Is this our concept of heaven? Does the thief on the cross get to watch on large screen TV while the Billy Grahams and other pastors and teachers get to sit at Jesus' feet? Will some live in "just a cottage" while others live in "mansions just over the hilltop"? Do we really believe that there will be different classes of people in heaven, some with many jewels or stars in their crown, while others come empty handed and bare headed?
Yes, to some degree and according to what Jesus said and the book of Revelation speaks about, I do believe there will be rewards in heaven based on believer's works. Jesus pointed out to the Pharisees (works only people) that if they did their religious acts to get the attention of men, then there will be no eternal reward in heaven. To obtain these rewards our works will be tested to see just what we were seeking by doing these good works. I believe if they pass the test of perhaps areas such as a trully love for God; a desire to be obedient; a love for others expecting nothing immediately in return; no seeking of man's applause; no act of looking holy, laying down one's life for their faith, were they done for the glory of God, etc. then yes, recognition rewards (spoken of as crowns with stars) are promised.
Although we can't work to obtain salvation (Jesus did all the work necessary for that), we were created to do good works and be rewarded for them. Eternal life is a gift of God, not of works but our works as believers are extremely important and I'm afraid Jesus teachings in this area are brushed off sometimes because serving Him for other reasons appear more noble. But what does scripture say ? Why were we created ? To sit around and argue doctrine ? To debate what is the holiest way to live ? And how did Jesus describe what it means to shine our lights ? Seems to me good deeds are one of the top things mentioned for a believer and it is not wrong to work toward reward.
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2)
"Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” (1 Timothy 6)
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5)
"Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5)
I suspect when scripture says the last shall be first and the first last, that it is speaking of rewards and positions in heaven. Those that may appear to us at the moment to be doing great ministries may end up being the last and those with little recognition here may ended up with great reward. Man looks on the outward but God is looking on the heart.
Personally, I think if I would have given eternal reward more focus, I would have lived differently and I know I blew the possible reward for too many works on seeking self attention (which I still struggle with - the flesh and the spirit battle).
Perhaps the scripture saying that God will wipe the tears from our eyes has much to do with what we did 'for Him' when it was just for our own glory. A sobering thought.