Colossians 3:23, 24
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
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So whatever I do, in my marriage, in my work, in my relationships, gassing up the car, taking out the garbage, changing a diaper, mowing the lawn – whatsoever I do I am to do it for the Lord. I am to do it enthusiastically, with a joyful heart because I am working for Jesus. If I do this I can be assured I will receive the “reward of the inheritance.”
Do you ever wonder why Biblical writers use so many words? “The reward of the inheritance”? Which is it, a reward or an inheritance? I work for a reward but an inheritance comes my way because of a relationship.
Oh …. maybe that is why Paul used so many words here. It is a reward for a job well done. But it also comes to me as a result of a relationship.
Clearly Paul (the Holy Spirit) is talking about doing something here. Not just doing something but doing everything with a certain mindset – I am serving God through whatever I do. But without the relationship there can be no reward because all of my attempts at being righteous are an affront to God (filthy rags – Isaiah 64:6). My efforts to obtain righteousness in my own strength are an affront to God because they say the sacrifice of Christ on the cross was not sufficient.
So, there is an inheritance waiting for me just because I am a child of God. But, there is also work to be done and there is a reward for that work. And what is that work? Whatever I do. Whatever I do I am to be mindful of the fact that I am a servant, a representative, in the employment of “the Lord Christ”.
I don’t work to get saved but I work because I am saved. My job title may change. The guy who signs the check may change. But the One I am working for will remain constant until that grand pay day that is to come.
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Ephesians 2:8-10
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith … not by works …
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works …