Are You Living For A Well Done?

His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”  Matthew 25:23

I love basketball.  When I was in junior high and high school, basketball was my sport.  Although far from outstanding, I was a solid player for the Cypress Creek Cougars, helping us win 29 games (amid 6 losses) my senior year (1979-80).

My basketball coach throughout my Cy-Creek days was Norman Pasche, an Al Pacino look-alike.  (I loved Coach Pasche, and he is a special friend to this day.)  As a player, I still remember the wonderful feeling of hearing him praise me for a good game or great hustle.  Truth be told, hearing a “well done” from the coach motivated me to give my all on the court.

MEETING WITH THE COACH

The Bible makes it clear that we all have a date with deity.  Unbelievers will stand before Him one day at the Great White Throne Judgment.  This is a terrible judgment of horror.  All those who appear before that throne have rejected God and His provision for their sin.  All those at this judgment have spit on God’s mercy.  Thus, all that is left is God’s pure and perfect justice.  (See Revelation 20:11-15).

For the Christian, we meet the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  This is not a judgment to determine heaven or hell – that decision is made in this life, not the next.  All those who stand at this judgment are people who put their faith and trust in God’s provision for their sin.  Old Testament saints looked forward to the cross, and New Testament saints look backward to the cross.  Both groups are saved the same way: by grace through faith, apart from works.

It is at the Judgment Seat of Christ, where the Lord, the Coach of the universe, talks to His own, one-on-one.  At this judgment, your service for Christ will be evaluated.  If you served poorly because you were more focused on self than the Savior, on the kingdom of earth than the kingdom of heaven, you will “suffer loss” (1 Cor. 3:15).  How tragic to have no reward for all your years as a believer.

If, however, you served Him faithfully, sincerely, and obediently, you will be rewarded by the King.  You will hear your Coach say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  Can there be a greater reward than that?  To know that you pleased the King and garnered His praise makes every trial and every tear worth it all.

YOU WON’T BE SORRY

In the last chapter of the last book of the Bible, Jesus said, “I am coming quickly and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done” (Rev. 22:12).  Let this truth motivate you to live each day for Jesus Christ.  Trust me, you won’t be sorry!                               

Love,

Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries                                                         

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