Devotion for 13th Dec 08.

Comment on Evening December 13

There can be no reward to any man except the rewards of grace. This is because "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags". (Isa. 64:6) According to the law there shall be no flesh justified, so no flesh to be rewarded. But according to the Grace of God in Jesus Christ, we are justified because of what He had done for us. So we can perform good works acceptable to God, though not perfect by themselves. This is like children speaking imperfectly and yet acceptable to their parents as they grow to perfection.

This foundation in our Lord Jesus Christ is very important, without which all our works are futile and vain, unable to be established and rewarded by God. "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." (1Co. 3:11, 14, 15)

There are always those who put on false modesty in the midst of God's people. They imagine themselves to be most humble and care not for rewards in Heaven, so long as they can get there. The reward of merit is certainly something for us to frown at, since we see nothing good in us and everything good in our God - let Him be glorified. But for the rewards of grace, we may not be ashamed to receive as such rewards speak of the glory of God in His wondrous dealings with us. It is our reward to be used of Him to magnify Him. We can have peace even as we receive such rewards of grace from God. "Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us." (Isa. 26:12)

Do we not want to do well in our Christian walk so that we may be counted among those who will receive the rewards of grace? Or, are we putting a false front to cover up our ungrateful lives?
Do read the Holy Scriptures for yourselves in the free Daily Light on Daily Path for this day at http://soshine.blogspot.com/2007/09/daily-light-on-daily-path-december.html#Dec12M.
 
Yours in Christ's Service,
lck