Doing works after becoming a child of God, and doing them because we love the Lord and wish to please Him by living as close to a righteous life as we can, then the works do mean something.
This is key and I agree with it. Anything we produce that's not of Christ will burn. It's all gonna burn as David Wilkerson would say..."that car's gonna burn..."
Personally, I will just be glad to be in His presence even if it's not in the first chair. Others who have suffered persecution, severe poverty, etc. can take it. I gladly give it up.
That is the real glory that God offers us. The heavenly riches are more trophies to a job well done.
There are so many doctrinal and praxis based issues that we get hung up on that do little more than drive us apart, when we should be asking what we can do to see past the differences to come together and truly function as a body.
Like in the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25.31-46, the ones who invest into the lives of the sick, the hungry and thirsty, the naked and the broken hearted, were the ones allowed into the kingdom.
Jay,
I agree that those crowns and rewards, etc. are something given by God and, yes, what a great thing to serve God. I would like to do that in a big way. How about you? I can see serving kids in Africa - the poorest of the poor - AIDS orphans. I'd do it in a minute. Would you? Is it necessary? No. Because Jesus told people that they did those things ("I was hungry and you fed me...", etc.), and the people asked "when did we do these things?" So, I could be mistaken and off base, but this surprised them. They weren't even aware. Now, that's beautiful! Like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing? Is that correct correlation of scripture? It was just part of the new nature of Christ in them. I don't believe anyone needs to wait for a movement of unity or a revival. That revival must take place, in action, in the individual believer as he/she is prompted by God's Spirit.
"The scriptures teaches that unless two be agreed, they cannot walk together..." There's just no telling how many churches will drop their doctrinal differences and plant their flag on the primaries. Does coming together have to be a situation where all the churches whereby all the members working as one? Yes, it happens. It happens at Times Square Church in NYC where they have combined forces, so to speak, with several NYC churches to serve the homeless, Hurricane Sandy victims, prostitutes, drug addics, etc. on a daily basis. It is unbelievable. I've seen their efforts first hand and can see Christ in NYC. It isn't perfect. Can it be done everywhere? It can if God's people will humble themselves and pray!
Suggest:
The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson. God told him to just go to New York City and serve those on the streets who no one would serve. He just did it. You know what he said about the actual church building (a large, fancy theatre), "it's gonna burn!" My friend worked closely for David for 12 years. He walked with God so closely, it was uncomfortable for many [believers] to be in his presence in an intimate setting like a family gathering. Is he an overcomer? Called out of the body? Yes, I believe so. Can't know his heart. Even King David was this type of human being, and look at his goof ups and sins!
One body in Christ.
If you're prompted, just obey!
Peace,
Candice
There is something appealing to the idea of heavenly crowns and riches, but really, those seem to pale in comparison to the real riches that God offers us. In this life, we have the chance to be living witnesses to God’s love and glory. We can help bring healing to the sick and broken hearted, feed the hungry, clothe the naked and ultimately be God’s hand working in this world. That is the real glory that God offers us. The heavenly riches are more trophies to a job well done.
As the body and bride of Christ, there is much that we should be doing in preparation for His return. We need to come together as a body, respecting the roles that each member plays, so that we can function as a body. There are so many doctrinal and praxis based issues that we get hung up on that do little more than drive us apart, when we should be asking what we can do to see past the differences to come together and truly function as a body.
I think it is important that we take a step back and reevaluate what all God has placed into our hands and ask whether we are being good stewards with these things. One, if not the most important thing to God is the people. Because of that, we need to ask what we can do to better see value in and invest in what God highly treasures. Like in the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25.31-46, the ones who invest into the lives of the sick, the hungry and thirsty, the naked and the broken hearted, were the ones allowed into the kingdom.