It's such a comfort to me that every believer will have praise on that day, for “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, emphasis added). All Christians will have some reward and some praise-only God knows who will receive much and who will receive little. We do know, however, that the rewards will not be based on the size of our church, the apparent accomplishments of our lives, or the number of converts we claim. God will sort out-based on hidden things, based on motives-who receives much and who receives little.
I think one of the marvelous experiences Christians will share on that day will be to recognize how many dear saints, completely unknown to the world and hardly known to fellow believers, will receive reward after reward after reward from the Lord's hands-their unseen works were gold, silver, and precious stones. Their hearts will have been pure, their works will have been precious, and their rewards will be great.
Because God will reward according to the motives of men's hearts, our single purpose in life should be that, “whether [we] eat or drink or whatever [we] do, [we] do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). That motive should govern everything we think, say, and do.
It is good when fellow Christians can speak well of us sincerely. It is good when our own conscience does not accuse us. But it will be wonderful beyond description if, on that day, our Lord can say of us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” To hear that refrain is the aim of every true servant of Christ.
Adapted from 1 Corinthians in The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, © 1984 by Moody Bible Institute, Moody Publishers.
