THE BEATITUDES - PART 9
Matthew 5:11-12 Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. 12 Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
I’ve been reading two books that explain God’s rewards when we come into His presence during the Judgement Seat of Christ.
In A Life God Rewards by Bruce Wilkinson, he talks about how “our belief unlocks the door to eternal life and determines where you will spend eternity” and “your behavior unlocks the door to reward and determines how you will spend eternity”. Bruce quotes the following Scriptures to expand on Jesus’ teaching on rewards (just a sample of Scriptures):
Matthew 16:27
Luke 6:22-23
Luke 14:14
The other book is by John Bevere called Driven by Eternity. John states
“When asked if you are fulfilling your destiny, you may think, ‘I want to. But I don’t know what I’m called to do!’ There could be a couple reasons for this. The first question to ask yourself is, have you sought God earnestly?”
For further study, John Bevere, also includes Scriptures to add to the study of God’s rewards:
Revelation 2:23
Romans 14:10, 12
2 Corinthians 5:8–11
John 5:29
Hebrews 11:6
Why did I bring the topic of rewards?
- I had not done a Bible study on God’s rewards, especially addressing after we die and are in heaven.
- In my humble opinion, God does not need to reward us. BUT He does it anyway because He loves you and I.
Our salvation is a HUGE reward in itself. Knowing that we will be rewarded as well, can help us endure and stay focused on God during trials and tribulations noted on Matthew 5:11-12.
I don’t know about you, but God never ceases to amaze me. I pray this study will amaze you too.
Stay In His Love…
#stayinhislove