EITHER NOW OR FOREVER. 063

Given the nature of a lot of the posts on this blog, I feel it necessary to share the following ideas.

In this life our work for God often seems to be almost fruitless. Our efforts to do good may be earnest and persevering, yet we may not be permitted to witness their results. To us the effort may seem to be lost. But the Saviour assures us that our work is noted in heaven, and that the recompense cannot fail. The apostle Paul, writing by the Holy Spirit, says: “Let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” And in the words of the psalmist we read: “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Galatians 6:9; Psalm 126:6. {6T 305.3}

Whether it is directly sharing the gospel or just doing good deeds for someone, we all have felt the pains of putting in the effort to not get what we thought we should in return. Sometimes we know that there is an eternal reward, or at least we are familiar with the idea of there being an eternal reward, but we can’t help but think of the here and now. Afterall, is there nothing to be rewarded here on Earth?

I once read a piece of vandalism that seemed to be akin to a polemic against Christians, it included something along the lines of the following quote “there is nothing moral about doing something merely for a hope of reward, or out of fear of punishment.” I agreed. To an extent.

On one hand I disagree because it’s not inherently wrong to want a reward; love and rewards are not mutually exclusive. One of the ways dog owners establish both loving and respectful relationships with their dogs is through rewards. Do you think the dog owners care to see if their animals would love them the same even if they didn’t receive rewards? Maybe, but they would probably never know, because out of love for the dog, the owner wants and desires to give rewards. The dog also loves to receive them. Now, do they love the owner because of the reward itself or because the owner is the –type of person— that rewards????

Here, trust and love is built that extends even beyond the rewards, but as we have seen is not totally exclusive of them. Try never rewarding a dog, no affection, no playtime and no treats, would the dog still love you? A good dog owner would never know, because that’s abuse, and good dog owners don’t abuse their dogs. In this case to divorce love and reward is counterintuitive; love is married to reward. God loves us and so He delights to find all the ways to reward us, and we love God because He is the –type of person— that gives..

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he –gave— his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He gave His Son; He gives eternal life; what a reward!

On the other hand, I did agree with the atheist because I can certainly see that sometimes working for a reward can be connected with distorted motives and have nothing to do with love. But this is why I believe sometimes many rewards are delayed. Can the Christian work and still do nice things even when there is no –apparent— reward? Can we show that we will even bear discouraging forebodings and realities? That even when life sucks, we will still do what Jesus would do?

And while the great final reward is given at Christ’s coming, truehearted service for God brings a reward, even in this life. Obstacles, opposition, and bitter heartbreaking discouragements the worker will have to meet. He may not see the fruit of his toil. But in face of all this he finds in his labor a blessed recompense. All who surrender themselves to God in unselfish service for humanity are in co-operation with the Lord of glory. This thought sweetens all toil, it braces the will, it nerves the spirit for whatever may befall. Working with unselfish heart, ennobled by being partakers of Christ’s sufferings, sharing His sympathies, they help to swell the tide of His joy, and bring honor and praise to His exalted name. {6T 305.4}

Sometimes the reward is to unselfishly serve humanity in co-operation with Jesus.

Sometimes the reward is to be a partaker of Christ’s sufferings and sympathies.

Sometimes the reward doesn’t make sense.

Sometimes it doesn’t look like what we think rewards should look like.

After it all, there will be an eternal reward that is too amazing to place in words and to express in thought.

It's not now or never, it's now, or in forever... or both.

And while much of the fruit of their labor is not apparent in this life, God’s workers have His sure promise of ultimate success. As the world’s Redeemer, Christ was constantly confronted with apparent failure. He seemed to do little of the work which He longed to do in uplifting and saving. Satanic agencies were constantly working to obstruct His way. But He would not be discouraged. Ever before Him He saw the result of His mission. He knew that truth would finally triumph in the contest with evil, and to His disciples He said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. The life of Christ’s disciples is to be like His, a series of uninterrupted victories, not seen to be such here, but recognized as such in the great hereafter. {6T 307.1}

Psalm 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

IJN,

amen

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