Judgment Seat of ChristParaugs

 Deeds, Works, and Treasures in Heaven 

  While works do not save us, our good works will reward Us. That’s why Jesus taught His disciples to lay up treasures in Heaven. He didn’t say, “I will lay up treasures for you.” He told us to lay them up for ourselves (Matthew 6:19-20). Ephesians 2:8-9 leaves no doubt that salvation comes only by grace. But rewards are another matter as Verse 10 emphasizes, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them,” (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV). We were not saved by good works, but we were saved for good works! 

God saved you for a reason, you were not saved to be a decorative knickknack on His heavenly shelf. You were redeemed for the eternal purpose in His heart before the foundation of the world. He has a plan for all of creation (Ephesians 3:11), a plan for all of His people (Romans 8:28-29), and a plan specifically for you (Ephesians 2:10). If we don’t fulfill that purpose, we cheat God and ourselves.

What holds you back and keeps you from running the race? What worldly distractions keep you from living for eternity? What sins threaten your rewards? Eternity is too important to risk for the sake of some silly temporal thing that you will ultimately lose. How you live matters. How you spend your time matters. How you serve the Lord matters. He is watching, and one day, we will all give an account to Him. May you live your life from this day forward in the light of eternity and on that day hear the Master declare: “Well done, good and faithful servant,” (Matthew 25:21, NKJV).