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Colossians 3:24
24 Knowing [eido] that [hoti] of [apo] the Lord [kurios] ye shall receive [apolambano] the reward [antapodosis] of the inheritance: [kleronomia] for [gar] ye serve [douleuo] the Lord [kurios] Christ. [Christos] KJV-Interlinear
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. NASB
Knowing, means already being aware, already understanding the terms that God has set forth to humanity.
There is not a single person on this earth, that has never known of, or expected some type of eternal reward. Even in the many religions that exist out there, eternity promises some type of reward of the faithful. But that reward originated with God, first to Adam and Eve, and to every generation subsequent to them.
Even though other religions have taken the truth originally taught, and distorted it into the religions that exist, the origin of the concept came from God and from no other source.
So, you know that there is a reward in eternity. Whether you acknowledge it or not, whether you seek it in the wrong places or not, is irrelevant. Fools argue and debate the truth, from the position of their stubborn stupidity.
It is interesting to hear some of the arguments that callers make, when they call in to some of these talk radio shows. I don’t get to listen to most of these shows very often, but when I have the occasion to hear them, I just roll my eyes at the stupidity spewed over the airwaves. Is it any wonder that we are heading down a road of trouble in this world?
But just as with the politics and issues of the day, so too it is with doctrine. Everyone knows the truth, but most disregard it for their own unsubstantiated beliefs.
Paul is speaking of slaves. But the word for slaves, equates to each and every one of us. Whether rich man or poor, servant or master, when we all live in this world, we are slaves to the world until freed by God, through Christ and doctrine.
As slaves we own nothing, we have no hope, no resources, no alternatives, no chance for any kind of a life from this world. Even if you strike oil and become a billionaire, you have nothing because your life will not continue in this world forever, and one day you will die and leave it all behind. You’ll go to heaven with zip (if you have been an unproductive believer). Unbelievers lose even more.
There will be a judgment, and because of that fact, reward is guaranteed for those who pursue their spiritual lives.
We will all stand before the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and there your soul will be loaded with gold, silver, and precious stones (or good production), or it will be loaded with wood, hay and stubble (worthless production.
Christ will cleanse you with a purifying fire, which will wipe out all of the worthless production. Then what will be left of you, a gorgeous soul with production of intrinsic value, or a naked soul with embarrassment?
The wages of nothing is what?
The wages of good production is what?
And so it goes. In this world we are slaves with nothing. But slaves can invest their minds and thoughts in that which God has given us all, and that is doctrine. The good slave, the one who advances in their spiritual life, will receive an inheritance of value beyond comprehension. The bad slave, the one who thought nothing of their spiritual resources, will receive nothing.
Anyone who receives an inheritance from an estate of phenomenal value, receives money, property, possessions never imagined. And so it is in heaven. Your inheritance will include possessions for eternity, not limited to tangible things, but of abilities and gifts and talents and so forth.
Your future, your true retirement, your real cashing-in your winning ticket day, is in heaven, not here and now. Pursuing your spiritual life guarantees you a huge piece of the eternal prize. All of the universe, and heaven which is infinitely more vast, is our inheritance. You cannot calculate its value, because you cannot measure it all.
Jesus Christ is our one and only master. He placed you in the position that you are in, to allow you to advance in your spiritual life. Your earthly circumstances are only the logistical means of allowing you to advance in your spiritual life.
Most folks concentrate on their earthly circumstances and disregard their spiritual purpose, their spiritual investment, and therefore lose.
Because eternity is going to be the vast portion of your entire life, investing in it, correctly, would probably be a good idea, maybe?
