On the Other Side

Some of us wonder, when, if ever, we will receive a reward. First, we must understand that there are those of us who received their reward on this side and then there are the other-siders. Yes, I know that other-siders is not a real word.  But I use it to express the idea that some people spend all their lives without ever seeing the fruit of their efforts.  It is easy to get discouraged if you're one of these people. Luckily, Jesus makes a promise to those of us who have to wait to see the reward of their labor. Jesus promises that although some people's good works are apparent while they are still living, He reminds us that some people's good works and deeds will not be revealed until Judgment Day. Paul also reminds us that "the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later.  In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light. (I Timothy 5:24-25).

So what does one do if you are one of the other-siders? Will one continue to work joyfully when one doesn't see one's reward? Well, it's really about focus: focus on the reward or the Rewarder?
Why I am doing what I am doing? Is it for the praise of man or the praise of God? In the end, "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad" (I Corinthians 5:10).

Galatians 1:10 says if I'm serving man then I could not be a servant of God When we do not understand this principle, we easily become disillusioned and disappointed with God in life. We ask questions such as: why do bad things happen to good people? But the real question is about payout. Some people get paid in advance in this life and others get paid in eternity. This truthful enigma answers the same dilemma about why some people get punished for evil while others seem to go unpunished? Again, the principal of the other-side provides the answer. In the end, we must trust God's ultimate sovereignty and wisdom in how He metes our both punishment and reward. We can only do so if we trust in the inherent goodness of God's nature.

Jesus told us plainly that there would be those who would be rewarded for both good or evil in this life and others who would not see their recompense, except in the life to come. So, why are we so stressed? Do we really think that God would defraud us? That God is not fair? Did He really is asleep at the wheel? He is simply a Divine watchmaker who started everything, but won't take care of us till the end?

Great news. God is not asleep at the wheel. Every tear we shed has been saved and written in His book (Psalm 56;8), so how can He forget everything we have done for Him?  Hebrews 6:10 says God is not just; he will not forget our work and the love we have shown as we continue to help his people.

I want to end with Jesus' own words as an encouragement:

Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.“ So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,  so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you (Matt. 6:1-4).

 

Holding on for the Other Side,

MJ