Rewarded in Due Season
“Don’t be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.” (Galatians 6:7-10 WEB)
Being saved is not a reward. It is a free gift that anyone can receive immediately once he believes and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord.
However, there are Christians who spend their new life after being saved focused on sowing to the flesh.
“Be diligent to come to me soon, for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.” (2 Timothy 4:9-11 WEB)
An example is Demas, who was one of the apostle Paul’s fellow ministry workers. Demas forsook Paul to live a worldly life in Thessalonica—pursuing the temporal pleasures of the world. He could not stand the hardships and persecutions of ministry which are really not easy, and he lost sight of the reward.
We all grow “weary” at times, feeling impatient and disappointed when our doing good goes unappreciated or unrewarded by men. This comes from the prideful flesh which craves instant gratification.
To counter this, we need to be constantly reminded that God will reward us in due season. Not in this mortal lifetime, but when we finally stand before His throne.
When you “reap eternal life”, it means you receive eternal rewards that are incorruptible, and that will last forever. That is true life indeed.
The condition for reaping rewards is that you “don’t give up”. Let’s keep encouraging each other.
Those who sow seeds only reap harvests if they water the wheat all the way to maturity. Likewise, let us not be like Demas who forsook Paul halfway through, but be like Luke who stayed with Paul, even though everyone else already left.
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8 WEB)
There is a crown of righteousness for those who faithfully serve the Lord without forsaking Him. Let us not be content with just being saved, but to run for the prize that the righteous judge will give to us.
The question is no longer “Am I saved,” but “What will be my reward?” Keep your eyes on Jesus and He will lead you day by day, little by little.
It’s nothing drastic or dramatic. God knows how to guide you at a suitable pace, and before you know it, you have done much more than you ever dreamed possible—all by relying on His grace.
It’s like a dance of grace. Let Him take you by the hand, and you only need to keep in step with Him. Even if you got hurt by thankless men, still persist in doing good. Be refreshed by a warm bath in God’s word, and carry on. You will not lose your rewards!
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