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The Joy of Anticipated Reward (from the book "Drawing Near") (Protestant/Evangelical Caucus)
Grace to You.org ^ | 1993 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

Posted on 07/29/2015 4:48:27 AM PDT by metmom

"That the proof of your faith . . . may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:7).

Your future reward is directly related to your present service.

The joy you experience after your faith has been tested and proven genuine is largely due to your present blessings and assurance of salvation. But there's a future aspect as well: the joy of anticipating the reward you'll receive from Jesus when you see Him face to face and hear "Well done, good and faithful servant! . . . Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matt. 25:21, NIV). Peter described it as the "praise and glory and honor [you'll receive] at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 1:7).

"Praise" in that text speaks of verbal commendation. To receive "glory" is to be made like Christ. Jesus is the incarnation of God's glory (John 1:14) and "we know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is" (1 John 3:2). Paul spoke of those who "by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality" (Rom. 2:7). As a result they will receive what they seek (v. 10).

Peter probably used "honor" as a synonym for rewards, which God will grant to all who faithfully serve Him. I believe those rewards are various capacities for heavenly service and are directly related to the believer's service in this life. Jesus said, "Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done" (Rev. 22:12, emphasis added). Paul said, "He who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor" (1 Cor. 3:8, emphasis added).

God alone is worthy of praise, glory, and honor, but He will give you all three because you'll be in the image of Jesus Christ—sinless and fully glorified (1 John 3:2). Until that time, "watch yourselves, that you might not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward" (2 John 8).

Suggestions for Prayer

Praise the Lord for the joy of anticipating your future reward.

For Further Study

Peter spoke of a time when Jesus will reward believers. What do these verses teach about that time: Romans 8:18, 1 Corinthians 1:7-8, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10, and 1 Peter 4:10-13?


TOPICS: Evangelical Christian; General Discusssion; Theology; Worship
KEYWORDS: gty

1 posted on 07/29/2015 4:48:27 AM PDT by metmom
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To: Alex Murphy; bkaycee; BlueDragon; boatbums; caww; CynicalBear; daniel1212; Dutchboy88; ealgeone; ...

ping


2 posted on 07/29/2015 4:52:41 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: metmom
**The joy you experience after your faith has been tested and proven genuine is largely due to your present blessings and assurance of salvation.**

In my life I have I have seen that multiple times. Thanks for posting such a profound truth!

**assurance of salvation**

Makes me think of J. Gresham Machen's last words I’m so thankful for the active obedience of Christ. No hope without it.

(FWIW Machen fought the liberalism growing like a cancer in Princeton. He and others eventually left and founded Westminster Seminary and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.)

3 posted on 07/29/2015 5:56:47 AM PDT by Gamecock (Many Atheists: "There is no God and I hate Him!")
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To: Gamecock

Sometimes the only thing that keeps me going is knowing that this life is not forever and that what’s coming is far better.

At the very least, I’ll be able to eat again and not feel sick any more.


4 posted on 07/29/2015 6:16:27 AM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: metmom
No 12 foot snow drifts, and no fire and brimstone either. The weather will be perfect in the kingdom, where the only thing there that's been made by man, are the scars in the hands of Jesus. 😇
5 posted on 07/29/2015 8:01:31 AM PDT by Mark17 (When I see the mountain, covered with snow, fallen from Heaven above. Makes me feel so small)
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To: metmom
.....”The joy you experience after your faith has been tested and proven genuine is largely due to your present blessings and assurance of salvation”....

The Hymn “Through IT All” came to mind as I read that....recalling dark moments in my life where like Mary at the Tomb I wondered where Jesus had been taken from me for I could not see Him through my tears.

Still... because of those times I leaned harder on what I could not see... and sang the old hymns to the Lord when I could not find words to pray.

When I came out on the other side I learned there are some things God wants us to ‘KNOW’ that can only be learned in the fire of affliction and uncertainty.... Like Daniel who was thrown into the fiery furnace, and Job who lost friends family and all he owned....who both became my mutual friends as I walked those roads of such great uncertainty and loss....and Jonah as well....all men who learned that there is no pit so deep that HE is not deeper still....so too I learned.

6 posted on 07/29/2015 1:38:36 PM PDT by caww
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