How Can I Know if The Works I Do For God Qualify for Eternal Rewards?
At the Bema Seat Judgment, Christians will stand before Jesus to give account for their lives. There will be no condemnation.. Each of us will be rewarded for what we have done as Christians. But what works will qualify for rewards?
2 Corinthians 5:10 AMP
For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].
Paul Explains the possibilities of this judgment to determine our rewards in heaven. He uses a “building” metaphor.
9 You are God’s building.
11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
1 Corinthians 3:9, 11-15 NLT
Jesus will test our behavior and our works. His holy fire will consume all
that is not of God. And we will be rewarded for what survives the fire.
3 Questions to Test Your Work for God
Dr. Bruce Wilkinson, in his book, “A Life God Rewards,” explains that not just any works we do qualify for heavenly rewards.
You will receive rewards for God’s work done in God’s way. The 3 questions are: what you do, why you do it, and how you do it. The framework is his, but these thoughts are mine.
1. WHAT:Was this a work God told you to do? Did you do it in relationship with Jesus or on your own?
Jesus Himself said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
Unless we are in relationship with Jesus, we can do nothing of eternal significance. NOT ONE THING! With Him, we can do amazing things!!
Some people are very busy doing good works, but God never told them to do those things.
2. WHY: Good works must be done because of right motives.
Did you do the work to bring glory, praise, honor, and admiration to God? Or did you have another motive?
People do good things for all kinds of reasons: out of obligation, to feel good about yourself, to gain prestige, people pleasing, for applause, to achieve power or control, etc.
All of these works will be consumed by God’s testing fire.
We want people to know that the good things we do come from God, not us. We want people to know and love God. That is the true motive for doing good works.
Jesus said: “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” John 15:8 NLT, See 1 Peter 2:12 NIV
3. HOW: Good works must be done in love.
Did you do the work because you loved Jesus, because you loved the people, or both?
You can teach a Bible study and not love anyone in the room except yourself. You can feed the homeless because it makes you feel good, yet show no interest and have no compassion for the people you are feeding.
Some are motivated by anger at evil, but sustained anger leads only to bitterness. And, our Anger at a situation quickly becomes anger at people we believe caused the situation. God tells us to love even our enemies. (see Matthew 5:43-45 TPT)
Anything that is done without love is not a work that God will reward.
See the ACTIVATION to make this real in your life.