From the desk of Pastor Ben
Warning About His Return – Part 1

“He will then repay every man according to his deeds.” (Matthew 16:27b)

At His glorious coming, Jesus also “will then repay every man according to his deeds.” The believer looks forward to the second coming in the hope of sharing the Lord’s glory, but the non-believer can look forward to it only in fear of being condemned under the Lord’s judgment.

In speaking here of repaying “every man according to his deeds,” Jesus was pointing out that it will be a time of glory and reward for those who belong to Him and a time of judgment and punishment for those who do not. On that day, every man will be judged on the basis of his deeds. It is not that deeds are the means of salvation, which is by grace through faith alone. But a person’s outward deeds are the surest evidence of his inward spiritual condition. Jesus said that people are best known by their fruits (Matthew 7:16). James declared that faith, if it has no works, is dead” (James 2:17).

The Lord’s return is bittersweet for believers who are sensitive and loving. Like John as  he tasted the little book he took from the angel’s hand (Revelation 10:10), they think of the second coming as “sweet as honey” regarding their own destiny but “bitter” regarding the destiny of the many lost souls who reject Christ. His coming ultimately will resolve the destiny of every person (John 5:25-29).

Ask Yourself:
How motivated are you by the reward of being honored at judgment for the ways you’ve let God’s righteousness, love, and mercy flow through you — the many evidences of fruit borne in you by His Holy Spirit? Forsake all that would cost you His greatest blessings.