Christian Writers Circle

Inheritance as a Reward
by Judy Hitson

Colossians 3:24 NLT Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you serve is Christ.

This is serious!

We Christians need to be serious, not only about our eternal salvation but also about our eternal inheritance. In 1 Corinthians 3:8-15 we find the judgment seat of Christ regarding rewards and loss of rewards. This is not in reference to salvation but how we build on the foundation of Christ, our Master.

1 Cor. 3:14-15 NLT If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

Colossians 3 can help us learn to put off the old man and put on the new man. This is something only God can do in us. Let us rely on Him to develop the character of the new man in us.

Remember Philippians 1:6 NLT And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

When I considered God will give me an inheritance as a reward, I was happy and excited. Suddenly I cringed when rewards and loss of rewards came to mind from 1 Corinthians 3. Then I thought of Esau who sold the eternal inheritance of his birthright to his brother Jacob for a bowl of stew. (Hebrews 12:16-17)

Can you identify with temporal cravings of your carnal nature?

It doesn’t have to be food. Fill in the blank. It could be anger like Moses who was not allowed to go into the promised land. He struck the rock twice which symbolized Christ our Rock and Living Water. When we react with our carnal nature, it suppresses opportunities for the Spirit to give us life to put on the new man. Let us respond with our new nature in Christ.

God has given us a free will to make choices, right or wrong.

Today, what is your choice?

I hear the hymn, “I Surrender All,” and say, Yes Lord, I surrender all to You.

It isn’t easy but it is best we surrender all to Jesus, our blessed Savior.

Prayer: Lord Jesus help us look to ourselves that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Amen. (2 John 8 NKJV)