In our daily meditations at groupbiblestudy.com, we have considered that while we are on Earth, we must prepare for eternity, knowing that God sees everything we have done and that nothing escapes His attention. We are to prepare for eternity by living wholeheartedly for Christ. As believers in Christ, we will one day receive the inheritance given to us through Him:
34Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,36needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” 37"Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” 40"The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:34-40; emphasis added).
I find it noteworthy that, in the scripture above, the believers forgot the acts of kindness they did for the "least of these brothers of mine" (vv 38-39). Yet, God recorded every act of service and will reward us openly at the Bema Seat Judgment of Christ. Who was Jesus referring to in verse 40 when He called them "the least of His brothers"? I believe He meant those around us who are often unnoticed and quiet. These might be the ones unable to help themselves, such as children, the sick, or prisoners. God is close to the innocent and the poor in this world. He wants us to help them—visit, uplift, and feed them—not just with physical bread and water, but with the Bread of Life (John 6:35).
The Reward of Christlikeness
Preparation for eternity can only happen while we are alive here on Earth, as we transition to eternity with the character we have at death. I believe our "position" or "rank" in heaven depends on how much of Christ's servant nature we have demonstrated during our time on Earth. The degree to which Christ's character is formed in your life while on Earth will determine your rewards in eternity. The word "character" originally described the impression made on paper by printing. God has aimed to deeply imprint the nature and character of Christ into your soul so that others can perceive it.
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18).
When we accept Christ, our spirit is renewed, coming alive from its previous dead state of separation from God (Ephesians 2:1, 5). However, there's still work to be done on our soul—our mind, will, conscience, and emotions. God wants to renew and transform this inner part of us as we meditate on His Word and follow His Holy Spirit. King David beautifully captures this in Psalm 23: "He restores my soul" (Psalm 23:3). In his first letter, Peter wrote, "For you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:9). Our minds, wills, and emotions should be aligned with the leadership and guidance of the Spirit of God. Godly character is the objective of our faith. We will be rewarded according to how much of the fruit of the Spirit and the nature of Christ reside in us. Please help us, Holy Spirit, to die to ourselves so that we may embody Christlikeness. Let's continue digging into this vein of spiritual gold tomorrrow. Keith Thomas
Taken from the series Insights into Eternity. Click on the study Are You READY for Eternity?
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