Freedom is Good News Part 163

In the 22nd chapter of the book of Revelation (the last chapter in the bible), we find the apostle John bringing the entirety of God’s word to completion.  In the 12th verse of that chapter he quotes our Savior Jesus, as saying this, “Behold, I am coming soon!  My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to his works.”

There are some folks who do not think that “works” have any place in the life of a believer.  They will quote this scripture in Ephesians 2:8, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith … not by works, so that no one can boast.”  But they confuse the concept of salvation with that of reward. 

Salvation is the free gift of God and can in no way be achieved by our works.  Simply put, it cannot be earned.  The Apostle Paul says it this way in the book of Romans 4:1-5, “What shall we say that Abraham, our father according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?  If, in fact Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about – but not before God.  What does the scripture say?  ‘Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.’”  I hope we all understand this; if not, please let me know.

The concept of reward, however, is different.  Jesus clearly tells us that when He comes back to the earth, He will bring a reward to give to everyone based upon their works.  Because He will give to everyone a reward, we must understand that there are two sides to this reward; the bible calls them, blessings and curses! 

I believe it will do us some good to consider this topic.  I am sure we all want to be on the side of getting blessings and not curses.  Let us take a look.

Above, I mention Abraham, who according to Paul is the father of us all; that is, all the faithful.  In this same chapter of Romans that I quoted above we read, “(Abraham) is the father of us all.  As it is written: ‘I have made you a father of many nations.’  He is our father in the sight of God in whom he believed.” (Romans 4:16-17)

Did Abraham have to do anything?  Why, yes he did!  In Genesis 12, God told Abram (Abraham’s original name) to, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and come to the land I will show you.”  God tells Abram that He will bless him in several ways (ah ha, blessings for obedience) and so we see that Abram left just as the LORD told him.

The entire story of Abraham is a beautiful one.  From Genesis 12 through 25 we learn of the trials, the joys, the battles, the faith and the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience that Abraham, who is called “our father in the faith”, encountered.

Why look at this topic through the life of an ancient man of God called Abraham?  He is our father in the faith and Jesus said this, “If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do the works that Abraham did.” (John 8:39)  We know Abraham was blessed; what works did he do?  Don’t go away folks, there is still more to come!!