10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
In the the parable of the Talents we see the application to us of using what God has given us, by faith, for His Glory. This principle applies also to sharing the ministry of others, as well as joining with them in faithful works.
1 Cor.3:
6 I have planted, Apollo's watered; but God gave the increase. 7
So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase. 8 Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, you are God's building.
A simple definition of the talent: "it is whatever the Lord gives us now and will ask us about later." Remember it is a trust from God. He gives it for us to do what honors Him.
1 Cor 12:7
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
Jesus is talking to people who claim to follow Him. And He reminds us all that there will be a day of accounting. Jesus tells us:
Matt 25:19
After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled
accounts with them.
AFTER THE RAPTURE
When Christ takes us up there will be a review of all we did after salvation. The Book of Life will be opened. Our page reviewed. That which we did in FAITH will live to be honored with rewards. The rest will have burned up.
Mt 6:19-21
"...For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also"
We who love our Lord wait with the sure hope of His coming for us in fulfillment of His promise in Jn.14:3:
"I will come again and receive you unto myself so that where I am there you also will be".
Furthermore in Jn.16:22 he said "I will see you again and your heart shall rejoice".
This is our greatest joy to be with Jesus Christ forever. We want to please Him now for this life is the foundation of our eternity with Him. And when we come before Him at His judgment seat (See 2 Cor.5:10), right after the rapture and before the start of His 1000 year rule on the earth, we want to be full of works of faith that will be recorded on our page in the "Book of Life".
ARE WE FULLY WORKING THE FAITH HE GAVE? LET US LABOR EVEN MORE FOR HIM.
FAITH THAT SAVES WORKS
Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone...
Titus 3:8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Be careful to excel in good works - Though the apostle does not lay these for the foundation of salvation, yet he brings them in at their proper place after salvation, and then mentions them, not slightly, but as affairs of great importance. He desires that all believers should be careful - Have their thoughts upon them: not barely to practice, but to excel, to be eminent and distinguished in them: because, though they are not the ground of our reconciliation with God, yet they are amiable and honorable to the Christian profession. And profitable to men - Means of increasing the everlasting happiness both of ourselves and others.
Titus 3:14
And let our's also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.
THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH
This declaration of the Christian's principle of life is found in the bible. (Hab.2:1-5; Rom. 1:17; Heb. 10:38 ) In Habakkuk we see the difference between the lives of the unjust and the just.The unjust are puffed up and live by their own self sufficiency. They reject God.
But the just live by faith-our confidence is in God. To us faith is more than a philosophy of life. The righteous shall live his whole life by faith.
We are saved by faith, kept by faith, and we live by faith. Our faith shall be tried many times and in many ways but saving faith will always be vindicated, because it is more than equal to any occasion. Faith knows how to wait on the Lord and it is always victorious.
Faith defies reason: it moves mountains (Mt. 17:14-21). Faith does not always face facts (Heb. 11:32-39).
Faith says, God is working out His perfect will in my life, and I can wait, endure and suffer.
LACK OF LIVED FAITH LEADS TO LOSS OF REWARDS AND MINISTRY, NOT SALVATION (EXAMINE OURSELVES WHETHER WE HAVE "THE" FAITH")
John 15:2
Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
HIS WORD CLEANS US
The word of Christ is spoken to all believers; and there is a cleansing virtue in that word, as it works God's grace, and works out corruption in us. And the more fruit we bring forth, the more we abound in what is good, the more our Lord is glorified. In order to be fruitful, we must ABIDE IN CHRIST, have union IN him by faith.
It is our great concern as disciples to constantly keep up dependence upon Christ, and communion with him. True Christians find by experience, that any interruption in the exercise of our faith caused by our sin (s), causes holy affections to decline, our corruptions to revive, and comforts to diminish.
! Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.!
Rom.14.
22 "Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows.
23 And he that doubts is damned if he eat, because he eats not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
Hebrews 10:38
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him
RAPTURE AND REWARDS
It is at this time, see 2 Tim.4:8, we receive our rewards. At the rapture.
If we love Him we will serve Him and in so doing earn rewards that will be ours forever. And the standards will be simple:
(1)Our present life of faith (1Cor.4:3-5).
(2)Our conduct towards believers (Rom.14:10).
(3)Our service through the love of Christ (1Cor.3:11-15).
So lets run the race of faith, to the very end without falling back, without thought of gain, with the joy, peace and love we have inside us. And when we see Him we will not hear bad news that we lost our rewards(See Rev.3:11) but will hear The Lord say
"Well done my good and faithful servant".
WILL WE HAVE A GOOD BALANCE SHEET WHEN WE GET HOME?
THE CROWN OF GLORY
1 Pet.5:3-4; Heb.6:10; Mk.9:41; Jer. 31:16
AN INCORRUPTIBLE CROWN
1 Cor.9:25
A CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
2 Tim.4:8
A CROWN OF REJOICING
1Thess. 2:19
A CROWN OF LIFE
Revelation 2:10
Chaim, least
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