GOD OFFERS REWARDS

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matt. 5:11-12). "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets" (Luke 6:23).

Devotion 3 of 12

THE GOOD PLEASURE OF GOD

The Scriptures repeatedly refer to the good pleasure of God. It is something with which we must be conversant. "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will" (Eph. 1:5). "Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to his good pleasure which He hath purposed in himself" (Eph. 1:9). "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power" (2 Thess. 1:11).

Observe how His good pleasure is inextricably tied to our salvation. It is, after all, "the pleasure of the Lord" that prospers in the hand of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ: "Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand" (Isa. 53:10).

The Lord's good pleasure is related to the subject at hand--i.e., the offering of rewards. In redemption, we become "partakers of the Divine nature" (2 Pet. 1:4). Part of the likeness we bear is that of finding pleasure in the things of the Lord. God Himself delights in His will, and so do those who are in Christ Jesus. Like our Savior, we "delight to do" God's will (Psa. 40:8; Heb. 10:5-8). The commandments are no longer "grievous" (1 John 5:3), and His "yoke is easy" and His "burden is light" (Matt. 11:30). These are the norm for those in Christ Jesus.

God's incentives and rewards make a major contribution to this refreshing view of the commandments. They also are what makes the Savior's yoke easy and His burden light. If we will give heed to the promises of God, they will constrain us to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life (1 Tim 6:12,19). While some philosophize about eternal life, and whether it can be lost once it is obtained, the Word comes from the King: "Lay hold on eternal life!" When you take that word seriously, you will find the rewards offered to you by God Almighty to be the most powerful and effective motivators.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You that in the new birth, you have provided an effective escape from the things that pass away. With all my heart, I long to be pleasing to You, and to do those things that are well pleasing in Your sight. In the name of Christ, I now seek grace to fulfill those desires in an unprecedented way.

-- TOMORROW: AN APPEAL TO THE PROFIT MOTIVE --