Cgeneration devotional

Acts‬ ‭17‬:‭31‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

“because He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed. He has provided proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”

‭‭

Somehow, most of us Christians think of Jesus only as our Lord and Saviour. But one day, the role of Jesus is going to transition from that of being our saviour to being our judge.

Have you ever wondered to yourself whether it's actually worth it—living right as a Christian, staying committed to Jesus, and serving God? What's really in it for you anyway? Peter expressed a similar concern to Jesus in Matthew chapter 19.

Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭27‬ ‭TPT‬‬ says

“Then Peter blurted out, “Here we are. We’ve given up everything to follow you. What reward will there be for us?””

‭‭

II Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“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 to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Apostle Paul, even though he started off as a persecutor of the church, turned out to become one of the greatest and definitely the most effective and successful apostle of Jesus Christ. What motivated Paul to achieve so much, despite all the trials and challenges that he faced?

Leaders in the church and people who are leading and disciplining others for Christ have a reward in heaven, if they lead according to God’s standards.

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ says

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not Lording it 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 will never fade away.”

Whenever you’re mistreated because of your Christian values and your faith in Jesus, don’t get angry or bitter, instead, rejoice!

Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬ says

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “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.”

Our work is going to be judged based on our faithfulness. So is Jesus going to find us faithful or unfaithful?

Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭45‬-‭46‬ ‭GNT‬‬ says “Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant? It is the one that his master has placed in charge of the other servants to give them their food at the proper time. How happy that servant is if his master finds him doing this when he comes home!”

Many people believe that the people who work the hardest and who do mighty miracles, signs and wonders will get the biggest reward from God.

However, ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬ says “If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.”

1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬ says

“But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.”

One of the ways that your work for God will be tested to determine whether it has any value is through your motives. So what are your motives for serving God?

1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭28‬ ‭TPT‬‬ says

“And now, dear children, remain in him, so that when he is revealed we may have joyful confidence and not be ashamed when we stand before him at his appearing.”

One of the things that can make us ashamed at the coming of Jesus is not being prepared with ‘extra oil’.

2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭10‬, the Amplified Bible Version explains what will happen at the Bema Seat. It says: “For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].”