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“"What Will Be Your Reward?"”

Thoughts for Today:

The Corinthians would be very familiar with the concept of a “judgment seat” or in Greek, the BEMA seat. It was where athletes were given reward for their accomplishments (rather than punishment). In our passage today, Paul tells us all believers will stand before the “judgment seat of Christ” where everything we’ve done while in the body will be judged. It is not a judgment of the believer's sin. Why? Because Christ redeemed those sins on the Cross. However, we will be required to answer the Lord for the way we chose to live our lives.

Previously, in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, Paul provided insight on this topic: “If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it’s burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.”

All our work – whether teaching Sunday school, hosting a small group, working on a retreat committee, or serving lunch to the less fortunate – will be judged by fire. In other words, if whatever we’ve done has been with the wrong motive (personal aggrandizement, pride, guilt, etc.) or purpose (self-serving in some way), then it will be destroyed (exemplified by “wood, hay or straw”). The same is true for our “good works”. They too will be revealed by fire. And if they have value (“gold, silver and costly stones”), then they will be rewarded. Just like an athlete whose accomplishments are both recognized and rewarded.

Questions to Ponder:

What has been the value of your works for the Kingdom? What are your motives? Take a long, hard look at why you do the things you do. Is it to please the Lord?

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.