HOW GOD REWARDS FAITH - PART 2

SATURDAY 13 MAY 2022

The experience of the Christian life as God means it to be - is to have faith in Him and walk by faith, not by sight. There is no such thing as a fearful child of God. Faith is complete trust in God, based on spiritual conviction that He exists. More so, faith is always rewarded by God. For instance, the Patriach, Abraham, received God's promise as a reward for his supreme faith in God. Romans 4:13 (NIV) reads, "It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith."

Reference: Hebrews 11:6 New International Version (NIV) "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Our faith is an undeniable practice that honours and pleases God, which also comes with a reward. The Bible says, "If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, what will happen to wicked sinners?" (Proverbs 11:31 NLT). This was Solomon speaking of a sure reward for the righteous here on earth, bearing in mind that they were called to live by faith. In Romans 1:17, the Scripture also reads, "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (KJV).

Beloved, in Christ, we were credited with righteousness by God's undeserved grace through the agency of faith. But it doesn't end there. The life we live is a life of faith, in which the righteousness of God is continually revealed in us. So when Solomon is talking about the righteous being rewarded, he is not referring to everlasting life being their reward at the end of age, instead He's talking about their faith practices being rewarded here on earth. This is why the expression in Proverbs 11:31 is noteworthy. Again it reads, "If the righteous are rewarded here on earth..." (NLT). In other words, aside from heavenly rewards as informed in Revelation 22:12, God rewards the righteous who earnestly seek Him in connection with their faith - here on earth! And this means - earthly rewards.

In Genesis 15:1, the Bible reads, 'After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward"' (NKJV). We all know of how Abraham's faith was rewarded exceedingly on earth. As born again Christians, the starting point of gaining and receiving our righteous rewards is by following and activating the Christ-like principles in the Word by faith actions. As we do so, we begin to experience all of Christ's goodness and loving-kindness as his reward in the earth realm, thereby living the heavenly life on earth and reigning with Christ in this life, with an ever-increasing glory! Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Jeremiah 17:9-10; Matthew 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 John 1:8.

Exuberant Declaration: I serve the Lord Jesus Christ and I'm destined to trust Him and walk before Him by faith. The centre-point of my existence is rooted in pleasing God. Therefore my heart is focused on seeking and pleasing Him daily and as a result, I continually receive a large measure of gifts and great rewards from God, inspiring me to glory in his Holy name. Hallelujah!