We do not follow God because of what we can get. This would not be honorable. We choose our Creator and His ways to hold Him in honor over our lives, and by doing so we share in Kingdom rewards. This is much different than winning a prize or a spiritual lottery. God-rewards are inseparably linked with honor. This woven thread from the God Story can be very liberating. Let’s take a look. OUR
OUR DISHONORABLE PARENTS
Adam and Eve were given the gift of life and responsibility to honor the One. “The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.” Genesis 4:4-6
When they together fell for the lie of the Serpent, our human parents chose the path of dishonor and death. So the promise of connected life was broken in dishonor. So our kind God would now provide an honorable way to buy mankind back from death.
THE PROMISE OF OUR KING TO BUY BACK OUR SOULS
The Holy Spirit will do the Father’s work in this: “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49
ROOTED IN HIS PROMISE TO ABRAHAM/HUNDREDS OF YEARS BEFORE THE LAW
For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of FAITH. For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified…” Romans 4:14-14
THE FAITH PROMISE
“But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by FAITH in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” Galatians 3:22
“For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself…” Hebrews 6:13 Which is why it can be counted on.
PETER BRINGS IT ALL TOGETHER/SPIRITUAL WEALTH
“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” 2 Peter 1:4
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” 2 Peter 1:5-11
“This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.” 1 John 2:25
HOW IT COMES TOGETHER
“And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.’” Revelation 4:9-11
MORE ON THE PROMISED CROWNS – SO COOL!
√ The crown of thorns (John 19:5)
√ Those we lead to Jesus (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
√ Loving His coming (2 Timothy 4:8)
√ The crown of Life (James 1:12)
√ The crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4)
Now there’s something to live for!
Dave and Burnadette