OCT 11

Colossians 3:22-25
Memorise Colossians 3:24
“…ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance”

Children, when told to do something by their parents, often choose not to obey. However, if the instruction is coupled with a promise of some sort of reward, the child will more likely choose to obey, because he is attracted by the incentive given.

In fact, it is not just children who are like that – most of us know that we ourselves are like that too. Perhaps this is why, throughout His Word, God has placed in it promises of the reward that awaits those who serve Him faithfully. Though we are undeserving, God in His infinite grace and mercy has promised to reward His servants, and He has placed in His Word multiple references to this, to give us encouragement and hope. In today’s reading, we read that we shall receive from the Lord “the reward of the inheritance”. What is this inheritance? It is a most wonderful promise that, as the children and heirs of God, we will one day inherit His kingdom. This does not mean that it is because of our service that we earn our place in the kingdom as our reward. It is not salvation by works! Rather what it speaks of is how God is a loving benevolent father who certainly knows how to give good things to all who are already His children. This promise of reward is not to give an incentive for us to serve harder so we can get more rewards, but rather is the loving gifts that a father delights to prepare for His faithful and obedient children. Therefore as we are serving Him faithfully on this earth, we can look forward with much joy and anticipation to the heavenly kingdom that is prepared for all those who are His children.

Of course – and I cannot stress this enough, this does not mean that we serve God in expectation of a reward, or that we obey His commands because we want to receive a reward. We ought to serve God simply because He has commanded us to do so, and because we love Him. We ought not also to expect any reward at all, for we are but unworthy servants! We must always remember the words of Jesus: “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do” (Luke 17:10).

Dear teen, as you continue to labour on this earth for God, may you be motivated by your love for Christ, and look forward to the eternal heavenly reward that awaits you!

Thought: A heavenly inheritance for my earthly labours – how blessed!
Prayer: Lord, thank You for this blessed promise.