The Holy Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost to empower the Church of Christ to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world so that people can be saved. This work is firstly done to offer lost sinners the opportunity to be reconciled with God by coming over out of the darkness of sin into His marvellous light, thus escaping the judgement of hell. This is why Christ has sent us out into the world. Secondly, we do it with a view to the future revelation of the kingdom of Christ. We exert ourselves so that as many people as possible will share in this wonderful kingdom because that will bring glory to the name of the Lord. Thirdly, we do it because we don’t want to be bad and unproductive servants who will appear empty-handed before the judgement seat of Christ. To the honour of His name we want to receive crowns that can be laid down at His feet in gratitude for and in recognition of what He has done for us.
It is not easy to be witnesses for Christ in a wicked, unbelieving and hostile world. There is a price to be paid for this ministry, as we must be prepared to become soldiers for the cross who will often be rejected by people because Jesus Christ is also rejected by the majority of them. We are not kings who are ruling in His kingdom with Him now. We should be motivated by the promise of rewards in His future kingdom to continue working and expressing ourselves against sin and apostasy. That will definitely not make us popular! Moses chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward” (Heb. 11:25-26).
Prepare to appear before the judgement seat of Christ. Peter says the time has come for judgement to begin at the house of God (1 Pet. 4:17). That refers to the judgement of the works of believers. The Lord Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Rev. 22:12). When the Lord comes, He will reward His servants and judge the wicked: “Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth” (Rev. 11:18). The Lord will reward His servants for their labour and will then judge the wicked people during the tribulation period.
All Christians have an appointment before the judgement seat of Christ, whether they were good servants or not. Some will receive rewards while others will stand there with empty hands. The fact is that they will all have to give account of themselves. Paul said to the church in Corinth: “We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10). The word “bad” can also be translated as “worthless.” On that day the works of many people will prove to be worthless as they have no value for eternity. The Lord Jesus says to every church: “I know your works…” (cf. Rev. 2:2). He will judge them according to their works, depending if they are good or worthless. Paul directs the same message at the church in Rome: “We shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ… So each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:10,12).
Paul explains to the Corinthians in much more detail how the works of believers will be subjected to God’s test of fire. The works referred to here are those that were done after repentance because they have been built upon the Rock, Jesus Christ. The works of some Christians will be rejected and consumed by the fire because they were works of the flesh. This passage clearly indicates that we have definite duties as co-workers of God in His kingdom. But we must take care how we discharge our duties – not in the strength of the flesh but in the power of the Holy Spirit:
“…each one will receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (1 Cor. 3:8-16).
A few matters are very evident from this section:
· The foundation of repentance, which is the beginning of a new life in Christ, must first be laid before we can start working for the Lord.
· After repentance we are commanded to work for the Lord by being witnesses for Him and letting our light shine in a dark world. We are called to be fellow-workers of God in the extension of His kingdom on earth.
· It cannot be taken for granted that we will only do acceptable works under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, since Christians can also do worthless things in the flesh (1 Cor. 3:1-3). These works are the wood, hay and straw that have no value for eternity, and are consequently rejected by God. No reward will be received for them.
· To those who do unacceptable works in the flesh the question is asked: “Don’t you know that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” They should have given their lives over to be controlled by the Holy Spirit to be able to serve and worship the Lord in spirit and truth. That is the biblical standard for all Christians.
In Luke 19:11-27 the Lord Jesus also referred to the day when His servants will have to give account of their lives to Him. He says in the parable that He gave each of them money, which symbolises the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, i.e. a divine ability to work in His kingdom. They will have no excuse for sitting back and doing nothing.
When He returns as King He will firstly call His servants to reward them according to the work they have done. To the one who has made tenfold profit He will say: “Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities” (Luke 19:17). Another one gets authority over five cities, but the one who kept the money and returned it unused, will be strongly reprimanded. He hasn’t done anything and won’t get any reward, despite the fact that he was one of his Master’s servants.
The following five crowns are promised to overcomers:
There are definite rules which we must obey in the race if we want to be overcomers who have achieved substantial results for the kingdom of God. Paul said the following in connection with the dedication of athletes: “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (1 Cor. 9:24-25).
The athletes see to it that they remain healthy; they do not smoke or drink and eat good food. In the race of life we also have to refrain from harmful (sinful) habits that can retard our progress: “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus” (Heb. 12:1-2).
Dedication of this nature goes hand in hand with the cleansing of our hearts and the filling of the Holy Spirit: “Therefore having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1). That demands self-discipline as well as exercise in godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). In this way we are striving to receive an imperishable crown – not, like the athletes, only a perishable laurel-wreath and a short moment of glory.
World evangelisation is the most important task the Lord Jesus committed to His disciples: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). This commission applies to all Christians of all ages. Paul said to believers in Thessalonica: “What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” (1 Thess. 2:19).
To everyone who leads lost souls to Jesus, the crown of rejoicing will be given at the judgement seat of Christ. This is a highly esteemed calling in the kingdom of heaven, which is why soul-winners are compared to shining stars – they have brought the light of the world, Jesus Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, to a lost, dark world, so that others can find their way to Calvary and to a new life in Him: “Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars for ever and ever” (Dan. 12:3).
The spiritual nurture and edification of the flock is a very important aspect of Christian service which was ordained by Christ Himself and will eventually be rewarded by Him: “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Pet. 5:2-4).
Pastors will be kept responsible for their flocks. James says, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement” (Jas. 3:1). It is expected of pastors to declare the whole counsel of God, including the doctrines of justification, sanctification and the second coming of Christ. If they do that, they will be rewarded – if they don’t, they will be held responsible for the lost people who were entrusted to their care. Pastors of New Testament churches have the same responsibilities as that of Israel’s spiritual leaders. God said to them:
“When I say to the wicked, You shall surely die, and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand… Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I shall require at your hand” (Ezek. 3:18-20).
The crown of life is reserved as a reward for those who have laid down their lives for their faith. This reward also applies to all who were severely persecuted and who bore the reproach of Christ through suffering, beatings and ridicule. According to 1 Peter 4:12-16,19 the martyrs are seen as partakers in the sufferings and afflictions of Christ because they are in the heat of the battle against the forces of Satan. This kind of sacrifice is precious to God and the oppressed are encouraged to accept their suffering joyfully: “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer… Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).
The gospel of Christ did not reach us by easy means or without cost. It was confirmed by the testimonies of millions of martyrs who laid down their lives for it. They sealed it with their blood and in this way made a major contribution to its survival. Through their heroic actions they confirmed the validity and truth of our faith beyond any doubt. In critical situations they were willing to pay the highest price to defend the Christian faith against the vicious, satanically inspired attacks which are aimed at its total destruction.
It is clear that costly sacrifices for the sake of the gospel are required even in countries where no religious persecution occurs. Furthermore, the Lord often allows afflictions in the lives of His followers to test their faith, mostly in the form of sickness, bereavement, financial setbacks or other disappointments. Through these experiences they realise their need to depend upon Him fully. It also gives them the opportunity to encourage others who suffer and to taking a clear Christian stand in life (2 Cor. 1:3-10). Those who do not become bitter or despondent as a result of their trials and afflictions, but allow themselves to be purified and edified by these experiences, will receive a crown from the Lord on that day: “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (Jas. 1:12).
“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8). It might appear strange that the Lord should reserve a distinctive crown as reward for a good work that seems no more than an attitude of mind and heart. Closer scrutiny, however, reveals that not only does the Lord deeply value our love for Him, but especially the fact that we are eagerly looking out for His second coming! It is this which gives a special quality to all our work and witness for Him.
The eye should be kept steadfastly on Jesus who has promised to return soon and to reveal His heavenly kingdom in glory. Christians should be keenly aware of this fact to the extent that it continuously gives purpose and direction to their daily life and work. The concept of the second coming contains a special motivation to serve the Lord. It adds a dimension of urgency to evangelical and pastoral service. It is also a strong incentive towards sanctification because every Christian who has the hope of Christ’s appearing “purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).
Only when the faith of believers is focused far above the horizon of worldly interests on the coming of Christ, when we understand our purpose to work for a kingdom which is yet to be revealed when the King comes, and are willing to be used in this regard, does the conviction exist that all our labour is not in vain, and are we safeguarded against a secularised life.
We are very close to the time when judgement will begin at the house of God. Are you ready to appear before the judgement seat of Christ and give account of your life? He has eyes like a flame of fire and nothing is hidden from Him. He even understands all your thoughts afar off. If you have not been washed from your sins in His blood you will not even appear before the judgement seat with the other believers. This is not the place where one is cleansed from your sins – sanctification must occur here on earth before the coming of Christ. Then alone will you have confidence to appear before Him and to be rewarded as a good servant.