The Eternal Rewards Program

“God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children . . . At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.” (Excerpts, Hebrews 12: 7-11, The Message).

The store where our family purchased running shoes for years went out of business about ten years ago.  They gave us a 10% discount every time we bought a pair of shoes—which paid off with all six of us being runners at the time.  After that, I bought a pair of athletic shoes on-line—but I had a problem with them, so I found a new store a few years ago.  I didn’t ask them then about a rewards program, but when I went back to buy a new pair, I signed up for their customer loyalty rewards program.  If I keep going back to the store, I will eventually accrue a discount on a pair of shoes.  It won’t pay off if I don’t go back.  Almost every business has a reward program these days—and even small mom and pop shops give a discount or a free item to reward loyal customers. 

God has the best rewards program ever.  But to reap the benefits of his plan, you need to keep going back.  It’s not one and done.  It’s not just showing up at his place on Christmas and Easter.  You need to acknowledge your sinful nature and accept that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins.  If you acknowledge Jesus as Lord, you will be a loyal user of his program manual–the Bible– which points the way to his truth.  When you keep an open line of communication with Jesus and keep going back to him, his Spirit will empower you to share his characteristics to those around you, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  

Most of Jesus’ ministry occurred in the towns and villages around the Sea of Galiliee and on the road to Jerusalem: “[Jesus] went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem . . .” (Luke 13:22).^[1]   

But God’s plan is global.  You can use it wherever you go.  People all over the world have signed onto it.  Isaiah confirms that God’s loyal followers will bring in more believers.  Isaiah related that the Lord said, “I know everything they’ve ever done or thought. I’m going to come and then gather everyone—all nations, all languages. They’ll come and see my glory. I’ll set up a station at the center. I’ll send the survivors of judgment all over the world: Spain and Africa, Turkey and Greece, and the far-off islands that have never heard of me, who know nothing of what I’ve done nor who I am. I’ll send them out as missionaries to preach my glory among the nations. They’ll return with all your long-lost brothers and sisters from all over the world. They’ll bring them back and offer them in living worship to God” (Isaiah 66: 18-20, The Message).^[2]

It’s not always easy to participate in a rewards program.  You might have to go out of your way to a store, make a stop on a flight, or endure other inconveniences.  But if you deem it worthwhile, you will be a loyal follower.  Running or other forms of exercise are not easy either.  We don’t always feel like putting on the shoes and stepping out of our safe, warm, homes to pound the pavement, get on the bicycle, go to the exercise class, dive into the pool, or go to the gym.  But we realize that we benefit greatly by physical activity, so we do it. 

In the same way, God wants us to understand that being a member of his program may be uncomfortable, inconvenient, or difficult at times, but it’s worth it: “God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children . . . At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. So don’t sit around on your hands! . . .  Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it!” (Excerpts, Hebrews 12: 7-13, The Message).  

Don’t drop out. Finish the race, and help others along the route. You will be happy that you did when you cross the finish line.

You have a choice.  You can choose to accept or to reject God’s rewards plan.  He gave us a free will.  We do not walk in lockstep with each other.   God doesn’t force himself on us.  We are not required to join his plan. The path to God is narrow, not because of God, but because of our free will—which we often exercise by rejecting God.  The path to God is not a well-worn path.  Many take the wide road—the road that is easy.  The narrow path is not that well-worn because few take it.  

Few are willing to endure the discipline it takes to follow Jesus. Luke reports, “Someone asked him, ‘Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?’  He said to them, ‘Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from’” (Luke 13: 23-25).  

Don’t conform to what everyone else is doing. Take the path less trod—you will reap the greatest rewards when you reach your final destination, and the scenery along the way is breathtaking.  

The psalmist sings that God beckons the entire earth to join him: “The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth” (Psalm 50: 1-2). God beckons all to join him, but few accept the invitation.

When you take the narrow path, God will recognize you and will welcome you into the program, into his family, with open arms. You will receive the priceless rewards that God showers on his family in this life and in the next.  Be a faithful follower of Jesus. Follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Endure the difficulties in your path with grace and thankfulness. Use the obstacles along the way as opportunities to move beyond your current circumstances to see the big picture. 

 Run the race to the end. When you cross the finish line, you will be eternally grateful that you ran a good race with the Holy Spirit by your side every step of the way. 

Prayer: Lord, help us to stay the course.  Help us to stay on the path you have laid out for us, to overcome obstacles, and to endure the training necessary to cross the finish line, when we will fall into your arms and reap our eternal reward. Amen.

Diane Cieslikowski Reagan

^[1] The photo above was taken at the church in Magdala, one of the towns around the Sea of Galilee that Jesus visited often. The boat shaped altar looks out to a view of the Sea of Galilee and commemorates Jesus preaching from the boat. 

^[2] The Scripture texts for the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost are Isaiah 66:18-23; Psalm 50:1-15; Hebrews 12:4-24 (25-29); Luke 13:22-30.