Everything you do matters forever

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Salvation past, present, and future”

Our Bible verse for today: “When you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:13-14 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Everything you do matters forever”

In the Gospels Jesus repeatedly taught that our actions in this lifetime affect our future in eternity. In those lessons He wasn’t just talking about placing your faith in Him for the forgiveness of your sins. That is of course the most important action you must take for the sake of eternity. However, His lessons were also about acts of service believers engage in that produce great benefits in eternity. As Bruce Wilkinson wrote in his great little book, “The Life God Rewards,” “Everything you do matters forever.” Your life now is having a direct impact on what your eternity will be like later.

In Luke 14:13-14 we find Jesus having dinner in the home of a religious leader. There were many dinner guests – most of them important religious figures, or businessmen, or local officials. They were all treated to a nice meal by the host, and Jesus was the guest of honor. Jesus used the occasion to teach an important spiritual truth. That’s what we just read in the passage above.

Jesus’ point in that lesson was not that the host did wrong by inviting his friends and family members to dinner. Nor, conversely, was the meaning that the only ones who should be treated to such a meal are the down-and-out and the outcasts of society. The larger teaching point was that when we engage in acts of kindness and compassion (especially to those in need) God will repay us for those actions – but not necessarily in this lifetime. Often the rewards for such acts are received in eternity. That’s what Jesus meant when He said, “… for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Bruce Wilkinson wrote, “God will repay you for a good deed after you are dead.” “Although your eternal destiny (heaven or hell) is based on your belief, the nature of what that eternity in heaven will be like for you is based on your behavior in this lifetime.”

The subject of rewards earned now in this lifetime but not received until we get to heaven is extremely important because it has to do with what eternity will be like for us. Therefore, we will continue thinking about this tomorrow.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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