Your Cause and Your Reward

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Over the years, I’ve seen a multitude of people involved with good causes. I’ve seen people spend enormous amounts of time organizing, communicating, and soliciting funds for causes.

I’ve seen those who work to raise money for research to fight diseases, to save the whales, to protest the wearing of fur, to save animals, and more. There seems to be a never-ending list of causes. Causes are wonderful and bring untold blessing to countless people who are greatly appreciative. That is a great part of humanity at work. But there is one cause above all others! I wonder how many Christians really focus on the ultimate cause God has assigned us to as His children—the cause of saving people from a destiny in Hell and instead receiving Jesus’ free gift of eternal life in Heaven?

The Bible speaks of two judgments of God after death. One is called the Great White Throne Judgment. It is the judgment of all those who would not receive God’s gift to mankind—Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Jesus died to take away their sins and give them eternal life. People that reject this gift of Jesus don’t realize what they are rejecting. We as Christians do. We know how desperately they need the Lord. When people reject Jesus, they reject God’s gift, thereby dying in their sins without resolution for them. Revelation NIV 20:11-12 says, Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it…And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

People get mad at the thought of God judging people but the truth is, Hell was created for Satan and fallen angels—not man. God made provision for man’s eternity through Jesus. If they choose to reject this gracious provision of God, then they have instead chosen to follow Satan to his destiny, and consequently theirs.

When Jesus is your Savior, you aren’t judged for your sins—they are forgiven. Instead, by God’s grace, your name is written in the book of life. When you’ve haven’t received Jesus, your name will not be in that book and you will be judged for every sin you’ve ever committed. Hell is that judgment. No one who really understands this truth would fail to accept Jesus’ gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Romans 4:7-8 NIV says, “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” Hebrews 8:12 NIV says, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Psalm 103:12 NKJV “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our
transgressions from us.” Now this is thee cause of all causes! Consequently, it’s imperative that of all things we focus and support, we reach out and support this eternally life-changing good news of this gracious gift of God!

The second judgement mentioned after death is the judgment for those who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior. It isn’t a judgment about our sins since a believer’s sins have been washed away. This judgment is called the Judgment Seat of Christ. It will be about the rewards believers receive for the things they did from a right motivation to further the gospel and touch others with God’s love. We will stand before Jesus to review all of the causes or things we did to serve His purposes—not the world’s list or view of good works, or our own. Those things done from a pure heart and right motivation and not for self-glory or personal agenda will be considered like gold, or silver, or precious stones. The Apostle Paul described it like this: 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NLT) “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 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. 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.”

When David spoke up of the need to shut Goliath’s mouth and defeat him, he said, “…Is there not a cause?” (1 Samuel 17:29 NKJV) There are many good causes to fight for in this life, but do any save the life of a person for all eternity? Do any have the promised reward from God for serving His cause? I am not saying we shouldn’t be involved in good causes. We should. They are a place for our light to shine! I am only saying that we should put the ultimate cause, letting the world know of the love and gift of Jesus at the top of our list! If we do, not only will the Lord reward us, but someone will be thanking Jesus and you for the rest of eternity. That is a perspective and cause to think about!

Psalms 119:74 (NLT) “May all who reverence You find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word.”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

If Fresh Manna is a blessing to you, I’d love to know. Click here: FreshMannaFeedback@gmail.com

If your heart has been touched by God’s love through Fresh Manna, would you like to help Pastor Tim reach others also? Please prayerfully consider donating. No gift is too small.