Tag Archives: Eternity

What is Your Eternal Net Worth?

 

Spiritual return in heaven

Our recent study on eternity has awakened a sensitivity in me as to how I spend my time and resources.   Are the things I’m doing adding to the glory and honor of my King and His Kingdom? Or am I only concerned with what’s relevant to life right now?

Alstair Begg, noted preacher and theologian, added to my concern by questioning me (indirectly of course) as to whether I was more concerned with my IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) than my IEA (Individual Eternity Account).  Do I have an eternal net worth?

Net Worth by any other name

Net worth is a financial term used to describe the total value of all possessions minus all outstanding debt.  It reflects what we  earn for personal benefit.  If we apply this financial term to spiritual things, eternal net worth is the value of one’s works that will be accounted to our reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

What’s with the fire?

The Apostle Paul, in writing to the church of Corinth wanted them to be aware that the works done on earth would have a direct impact on the rewards they would later receive in heaven.

If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.  If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Cor. 3:12-15 (NIV)

The Day refers to the time of the Judgment Seat of Christ or the Bema Seat (1 Cor. 3:13).  It is there where we will receive our reward for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10).

As the writer of Hebrew stated:  It is appointed to man once to die and then the judgment (Heb. 9:27). We will not be judge for our previous sins since Jesus Christ paid that price on Calvary.  It is here, however, where we will receive our eternal inheritance (1 Pet. 1:4,5).

A test by fire

At the Bema Seat, before issuance of eternal rewards there will be a “testing” of the worth of our completed works. The quality of our  work is judged on its eternal value. Works of eternal value result in expansion and extension of God’s kingdom on earth (Isaiah 61:1- 3).

If what we have built survives, there is reward.  One of God’s moral qualities is justice.  It is here where God will fairly evaluate, not only the end result of our work, but also the motives and the attitudes behind them (Rom. 2:16).  To receive reward, our work must pass the holy scrutiny of God’s evaluation (1 Cor. 3:14).

Loss of rewards

If our works are burnt by the fire, we will suffer loss.  Our salvation will not be loss but how sad it will be for us to see our worthless works burn in the holy fire of God.  We will leave God’s throne with no rewards.  We will have no crowns to cast at the Savior’s feet. (Rev. 4:10)

Our works, though not redemptive in nature, will however,  reflect our obedience and submission to God’s plan and purpose for our life.  Let us remember that we are God’s fellow workers and His field (1 Cor. 3:9).  I leave you with this question.   Are we creating worth for God’s kingdom?  What is our spiritual net worth?

With Eternity in Mind: What do I think?

Where are my thoughts?

When was the last time you thought about eternity?  Better yet, do you even believe in eternity?  If you do not believe in “life after death”, you may be extremely depressed with the thought of someday leaving behind your prize possessions (your favorite stuff) and relationships (your favorite people).

Even for those of us who do believe in eternity, there is a reluctance to place much time or attention on this topic unless we are forced to do so, usually as a result of losing a family member or friend.

That’s why we are going to spend time in our next few WordBytes exploring the wonders of eternity; how we can live victoriously today with eternity in mind?

Why aren’t we talking more?

Why don’t we talk more about eternity—the place where we will live out the remainder of our existence?  I can understand nonbeliever’s aversion to this topic; for them, eternity doesn’t exist.  Therefore, there is nothing to look forward to.

However, for we believers there should be more to draw our attention to eternity than helpless resolve or fear. Eternity should be the place we joyfully anticipate.

Why should we be joyful?

To whet your appetite for eternity, I’ll share a “short list” of why eternity is a place of joy.

  • Eternity is a place which Jesus Christ has prepared for us to be together. “I go to prepare a place for you…that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3) We will be in the presence of God, our Creator and Christ, our Savior. In His presence is fullness of joy and peace forevermore. (Ps. 16:11)
  • There will be no sickness and no more tears (Rev.21:4). With The Fall (Gen. 3) sin was introduced into God’s perfect world.  On its heels followed pain, sickness, and death.  As much as man tries, he can never reverse these affects.  But in Christ—in His death, burial, and resurrection from the dead, sin lost its power.  Christ replaced it with eternal life which will be fully realized in eternity.  (Rom. 5:21)

And the “short list” continues…

  • We will have glorified bodies to house our eternal spirit. Ever wonder why you don’t mentally feel your physical age? It’s because our soul doesn’t age.  If our bodies didn’t “breakdown” with disease and age, we would keep right on “ticking.”  We will have bodies built for eternity. (1 Cor. 15:54)
  • Eternity is where we will receive our reward for service done on earth. While we do not work for our salvation (Eph. 2:8), God has promised to reward us for our contribution to kingdom building and acting as His ambassadors here on earth. (Rev. 11:18; 22:12)

So, I ask you again, why don’t we have a loving eye on eternity?  Why isn’t there greater excitement at the possibility of life eternal with the Lord?  What stands in the way of our desire for eternity?  Next week, we’ll continue with our study on eternity.

Thank You from the Hamilton’s

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father,

who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,

comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NKJ)

Dear Friends and Family of In the Word Ministries,

Words cannot express Ron and my gratitude for your prayers and comforting words as our son Rhone experienced his second stroke.  It was your prayers that consoled our hearts and God’s grace that sustained us during this difficult period.  On Monday, June 11th, our prayers for total healing were answered as Rhone transitioned to heaven to be  forever with the Lord.   Yes, I said “total healing” for Rhone is no longer dependent on machines and medical knowledge for restoration and is now transformed to the beautiful and awesome man God created him to be.  He is totally and completely healed!

Although our hearts are truly broken, Ron and I hold fast to God’s hand, “full persuaded” that we will see Rhone again and that the Healer of Broken Hearts holds our family in His bosom.  God knows our pain.  Rhone’s passing did not catch God by surprise.  Rhone had successfully  completed his 47-year assignment.  He has completed his race!

As we finalize plans for Rhone’s Celebration of Life in July (Praise the Lord, Rhone will not be joining us), God has left me a Word (four to be exact) to share with you.  As I read Paul’s letter to the church at Thessalonica, the word “consolation” stood out:  “everlasting consolation, good hope by grace, and comfort for our hearts.”  I asked Jesus, “how do You comfort my heart especially at this moment when it is breaking?”  The Holy Spirit answered!

By Release.   Through my tears, I fall forward into the arms of God.  I cannot busy myself forever but must now face the void left in my heart when Rhone took his last breathe.  My expressions of sorrow–lack of appetite, periods of sadness, and difficulty in rising some mornings, are all signs of my need to depend on God during this time of loss.  I now “cast my burdens on the Lord because (I know) He cares for me.” (Ps. 55:22)

In Rest. I must be intentional in getting physical rest–a mid-day nap is the answer for the emotional exhaustion I feel as I restart my life after my time in Denver.   God has blessed both Ron and I with nightly sleep so that we can continue the journey God has set forth for our lives.  We cannot stay in the valley.  “He leads me besides the still water.  He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23: 2-3)

Through Remembrance.  Remembering the special times Ron and I shared with our son gives me the opportunity to “re-experience” the joy of that moment.  Exploration of shared memories and experiences helps me “return to joy”.   “I thank God in my remembrance of you.” (Phil. 1:3)  Thanks Kimmie for teaching me this priceless spiritual practice.

In all these, God is present.  We never walk alone–God carries us! God allows all our emotions (which He has given us) to surface as we freely grieve with our family, connect with our community, and receive the love of our friends.    Lastly, God comforts me…

Through a Reminder.  The reminder of my future.  The future which I draw closer to with each passing day.  My future home in glory.  I am reminded that “if this earthly temple is destroyed, I have a building of God, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1).  I am reminded that “I have an inheritance reserved for me in heaven” (1 Pet. 1:4).   I am reminded that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:6).  What wonderful reminders God has left in His Word.

Again thank you, my family in Christ, for your love and prayers.  Keep them coming.  To God be the glory!

Eileen