Allow me to begin by stating that I began the afternoon thinking that LiftMaster was hardly an appropriate name for the garage door opener in my garage. I couldn't figure out why the door kept coming back up when it hit the ground. Well, after trying to fix it on my own (with advice from a few friends), I took out the manual - and what do you know? When you follow the steps it gives, you can very easily fix the problem! After arriving late at school on Tuesday, and going through the motions of manually lifting/closing the door all week (not like that makes me hard done by - I actually appreciate the luxury more now!), I pulled out the ladder this afternoon and fixed my door. Ah. Feels good.
Round 2. The LifeMaster.
I was having a discussion with some friends this afternoon and felt myself struggling with the question of motive.
The topic in question was how we live our lives between the "trees" - i.e. - between Genesis and Revelation, which is really right now.
I guess I'm not sure of all the theology behind it.
I know that the Bible says to store up treasures in heaven.
I know that it also says that we will be judged.
I know, too, that it says we will be rewarded.
On a side note - I had another theological discussion with someone the other day that who believes that we really don't deserve punishment and that we deserve God's love because we are trying our hardest to live a life of love as per the example of Jesus.
But that's another story.
This question seems to be contradicted in two parables:
the one where a man entrusted money to 3 men - one did nothing with it, one invested it in small amounts and one invested it in big amounts - it challenges me to think about what I do with the gifts God has given me. And, I believe, it tells me that God blesses us when we use our gifts for the service of His kingdom.
The second is the parable where workers are hired at different times of the day to work until the same finishing time. Each is paid the same total amount, no matter how long they worked.
So my question is, are there better rewards to be earned in heaven?
My answer to that question is no.
Not sure on the theology.
But here's my thinking.
Rom. 6 says that the gift of God is eternal life.
How does it get better than that?
How does someone experience better wholeness in Christ than someone else in a perfect new Jerusalem where there is no sadness - pain is taken away.
Is there really ranking and levels of blessing?
In our discussion, there was disagreement on that one.
My take on the first parable has a lot to do with understanding that the kingdom of heaven is alive and real right here on earth. I believe that our reward for using our gifts and blessings to the service of others and the furthering of God's kingdom brings us great joy and peace here on earth. I think the joy of serving and seeing someone else delight in a gift I am able to share with them is great reward.
This, too, was different from some others in our group.
Some very strongly believe that God will give better and greater crowns based on our earthly commitment and service to Him.
Maybe there's a reason the disciples argued over who would get to sit at Jesus' right hand in heaven.
Maybe I'm wrong.
Maybe we will be so perfect and un-human that we won't become envious of our neighbour's crown, but will delight completely in each other's successes.
But I want to think that eternity with Christ is enough.
Maybe the point of our argument was wrong.
I felt like there was motivation to do good because it would earn greater rewards in heaven.
I'll be honest.
I'm not comfortable with that idea at all.
When I serve or love or forgive,
I want to believe that I do it because Christ did all of those things for me first.
I want to believe that my heart wants so much to recognize God's grace in my life,
that I love and serve and forgive because I want my life to reflect the gratitude in my heart for the gift of Christ.
Maybe there are rewards.
Maybe that's where the judgment comes in.
But I'd rather not do them for fear of judgment or anticipation of reward.
May the LifeMaster be my LifeMaster because He is.
Not because I'm afraid of how He'll punish me
or because I am seeking a reward that I feel I deserve.
And may I gratefully seek to serve Him
because He loves me unconditionally
and I owe Him my life.
Even if my theology is a little off.
"...I will show Him my faith by what I do." - James
3 comments:
Sometimes I wonder if the greater reward has to do with how good living in God's presence will feel. Like, if we just putz around on earth, a little piece of our peace will be lost. Whereas, if God says, "Well done, good and faithful servant," we will have a greater measure of joy... But yeah, I'm with you. Who knows what rewards await or don't? Who cares? We can trust God on this one, just like we can trust him with everything else!
Love you, by the way.
Thanks, Nomes. Your name has come up a lot lately - people wondering if I know how you're doing.
I hear you - this is a trust God and enjoy life kind of concept to me. Love the opportunities He gives you to serve and He will give greater joy - even if it doesn't always come with happiness.
Love you, too...
I fix garage doors and openers, big and little, and whenever I wonder why I don't do something else more relevant, I know immediately that God has provided this purpose for me... people have to get in & out every day to do His will.
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