FOR YOUR WORKS SHALL BE REWARDED

2 Chr. 15:7

“But you all must be strong and not lose heart, for there is a reward for your deeds.”

Definition of terms:

Works: these are activities which may proceed either from good or evil. Although man is not saved by
works, yet a genuine faith will surely be accompanied with good works as an evidence of the faith
within.(Heb. 6:1; 9:14; Rom. 3:20; Gal.2:16; James 2:14-26).

Rewards: These are offered by God to a believer on the basis of faithful service rendered after salvation.
Salvation is a free gift, while rewards are earned by works. (Matt. 10:42; Luke 19:17; 1 Cor. 9:24). Jesus
in Mark 10:28-31 made it clear that rewards are both programmed for the present and ultimately for
the future-the Kingdom of God.

Note: Rewards and Awards are not the same. It is man who awards, but it is ONLY God who rewards!

God is a rewarder! God has said a great deal about rewards. There are more than 100 verses in the Bible
containing the noun “reward”, or the verb “to reward”, and there are many more verses that speak
about rewards without actually using the word “reward” in them.

God who rewards is very interested in our obedience and commitment. Therefore, when we sincerely
love Him and seek Him and His glory, He is well pleased and will reward us. Scripture reveals some
truths about God the rewarder:

- He will not forget your good deeds (Hebrews 6:10), and before long, the book of records will be
revisited, and your good deeds brought up and rewarded (Esther 6: 1-11).
- And as part of your reward, God will prosper the work of your hands (Deuteronomy 30:9),
- He will open doors of opportunities for you (Isaiah 22:22), and give you the power to do great
things (Jeremiah 1:10).
- He will promote you (Psalm 75:6-7),
- He will bless and multiply you (Hebrews 6:13-14), and give you favor from every angle (Proverbs
3:4)
- Finally, on top of everything, God will bless you with a place in Heaven when your time on
earth is up (Matthew 25: 31-40)

The Word of God mentions various reasons for God rewarding someone. Let me point out some of
these:

1. God rewards those who SEEK Him

God rewards those who diligently seek him. (Heb. 11:6; Psalm 34:10). In the book of 2 Chronicles, you
can find many examples of God rewarding those who sincerely and diligently sought him. God rewarded
King Uzziah with success (2 Chro. 26:5). God rewarded King Asa with rest and peace (2 Chro. 14:7;
15:15). God rewarded King Jehoshaphat with riches and honour (2 Chro. 17:5).

2. God rewards those who SHOW FORTH His nature

 (Matthew 5:46-48). God rewards those who practice and exemplify the nature and character of Jesus!
Let us love like Jesus (John 13:34), forgive like Jesus (Col. 3;13; Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60) and walk in the
footsteps of Jesus to receive His rewards. Surely there is a reward for the righteous (Psalm 58:11)!

3. God rewards those who SUPPORT His servants

(Matthew 10:40-42). God rewards those who are hospitable towards His servants. Receiving them
means you are receiving God. Rejecting, ignoring and spurning them is tantamount to rejecting ignoring
and spurning Christ, hereby endangering our future and eternal blessings and rewards from God!

4. God rewards those who are SIMPLE in their spiritual lifestyle

The Bible says in Matthew 6:1-7 that God rewards those who do not make a public display of their
charity or show off their spirituality! Many in these modern days continuously make a show of their
charitable giving on public media and “boast’ of their good deeds. God is not pleased with this.
(Matthew 6:4,6,18)!

5. God rewards those who SUFFER for Him

God rewards those who are persecuted and reviled because of their devotion and dedication to him! In
situations where your personal relationship to Christ is odious to others and your declaration of His
Great Name is an offence to their sensibilities, your constancy and faithfulness to Christ results in great
reward (Matthew 5:11-12).

6. God rewards those who SERVE Him

God rewards those who labour in His name. We have been commissioned to bear witness unto Him and
are called to be labourers together with Him. We are here to glorify Him, to exalt His name not to make
a name for ourselves. (Col. 3:22-24). Do you feel that you have laboured in vain and have spent all your
strength for nothing. Read Isaiah 49:4. What is due to you is in the LORD’s hand, and your reward is with
your God and it is coming! 2 Chronicles 15:7. Ruth’s life and experience is a good example that rewards
will certainly come. (Ruth 1:16) The Bible tells us that she was given a “full reward” by the Lord when
she came under His wings for refuge (Ruth 2:12 NKJV). Not only did He give her protection, He also gave
her abundant provision, exceeding favour and a glorious future (Ruth 2:9–17, 3:11, 4:10–13). The Lord
will do the same thing to you when you continue to seek him, serve him and stay under his wings!

REWARDS TO EXPECT AMONG MANY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

1. God Will Draw Near to You (James 4:8)

God will draw near to you. There will be a closeness between you and God—a fellowship—a friendship.
Nothing is more precious than friendship with Almighty God. When God draws near to you, the doors of
communication are wide open. You can hear His instruction, correction and encouragement. And, you
will enjoy the other rewards that come directly through this relationship.

2. He Will Guide You Into All Truth. (John 16:13).

When you’re in tune with God, you get to follow Him to a very special place known and accessible only
to His followers. It’s a place called TRUTH. God is the author of truth. If there’s a truth to know—He’s the
One to reveal it to us! God always prospers His own through leading them into all truth?
 3. He Will Show You Things to Come (John 16:13)

When you abide in Him, you have access to an anointing with power that spans heaven and earth. That
anointing teaches you all things—it causes you to know God’s will in any situation. That’s walking in
what the Spirit of God tells you to do—that’s walking in VICTORY.

When we abide in the anointing and the anointing abides in us, there won’t be a single enemy that can
bring defeat to our lives. The Spirit of God will continually direct you, and He will show you things to
come. He’ll reveal to you how to prevent problems and trouble. Even when tests and trials come, you’ll
walk right through them.

4. He Will Make You Perfectly Strong & fight your battles (Neh. 8:10)

You don’t have to face discouragement or weariness ever again! God knew the moment He created you
—you need Him. That’s why His Word says His strength is made perfect in you (2 Cor. 12:9).

The word translated strength in this scripture is dunamis. It means “God’s miracle-working power.” Just
think about that. When your human strength ends, that’s where God’s power begins. And He has
promised that His miraculous power will bring you through! You can rejoice! Because God’s grace is
sufficient for you and when your strength ends, His power propels you to victory!

5. He Will Give You Everything You Need (Matt. 6:33)

When you seek God’s kingdom first, and His righteousness, ALL things will be added to you. You don’t
have to struggle and fight to get what you need—it’s all in the promise.

No matter what your needs or goals, it is the wisdom that comes from the Word of God that will get you
there

6. He Will Anoint Your Natural Abilities (Luke 4:18)

Drawing near to Jesus moves you into the supernatural, where God’s ability moves onto your ability, and
you’re no longer dependent on your own knowledge, intelligence or talents.

In Conclusion: There is no forgetfulness on the side of God of everyone that is committed to Him and to
His work, thus, regardless of the struggles or test that we face on a daily basis, we need to cultivate
endurance with Christ. DO WHAT’S RIGHT IN THE EYES OF GOD AND NOT MAN! (Col. 3;23; Eph. 3:20).
You may have done many good deeds before without anybody noticing or rewarding you, please, don’t
give up, because you are doing the right thing (Eph. 4:32). Take a look at Galatians 6:9 again for
comfort.

Beloved please keep doing good and keep trusting God (Psalm 37:3); never stop being a blessing.
Remain committed to God and His work. Your reward is ASSURED! YOUR WORKS SHALL SURELY BE
REWARDED!

Rev. Kayode Adewumi

First Baptist Church, Odo Ayedun