We already established in the last blog post what the Bema is and what will happen there. Now we're going to cover the different types of rewards offered in heaven. What kinds of things will Christians be rewarded for? One thing I know for sure...the things that we'll be rewarded for in heaven are going to be radically different than the types of things we receive rewards for on earth. God isn't going to care who was the best looking or best dressed on earth, He isn't going to reward the people with the highest number of baskets or touchdowns on earth, and He isn't going to reward those with the best grades or largest number of college scholarships. No, the things God values are much different than the things that the world values, and I think everyone is going to be very surprised at which believers receive the highest honors in heaven. It won't necessarily be the preacher of the biggest mega-church in the world, but it may be the humble widow who prayed fervently and gave all she had to missions. Let's examine a few passages that discuss the types of things that will earn us eternal rewards in the kingdom.
In Matthew 6:1-6 and 6:16-18, Jesus talks about three things which believers will be for rewarded in heaven, namely giving, praying, and fasting. This passage teaches that believers who practice these three spiritual disciplines will be rewarded for their righteousness in heaven. However, there is a catch! If a believer does these things with the wrong heart, they will receive nothing from the Lord. Those who tithe, pray, and fast in an ostentatious way in order to have people notice them will not be rewarded in heaven; other peoples' approval of them on earth will be the only reward they receive. If we want to be rewarded for the righteous deeds we do in heaven, we need to do those things only for Him.
In Matthew 5:11-12, we see another instance in which we will be rewarded by the Father. Jesus says in this passage, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” He is saying that there will be rewards in heaven for those who are persecuted for His name on earth. That gives us a reason to rejoice in our persecution!
In the following passages, we see that there are 4 crowns that are named in the Scriptures that certain believers will receive in heaven for certain things. The first one is the crown of righteousness. 2 Timothy 4:8 says, “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” This crown will be awarded to those who have longed for the second coming of Christ, just like Paul did!
The crown of life will be awarded to those who withstood trials while remaining faithful to Christ. James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." Revelation 2:10 also talks about the crown of life: “Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for 10 days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” This crown is given to the ones who continued to hold onto their faith through tribulations, though for some that ended in death and martyrdom.
Peter talks about the crown of glory in 1 Peter 5:1-4, which reads, " To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” Peter is talking to the leaders of the church. If they led their flocks with care, service, integrity, and humility, and led by example, they would receive this crown.
The last crown we see mentioned is the crown of exultation in 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20. In this verse, Paul mentions that he will receive this crown for leading them to Christ! In verse 19 he says, "For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?" Likewise, we will receive rewards for bringing the lost to salvation.
Oh how I long for Jesus to say to me when I arrive in the kingdom: "Well done, my good and faithful servant!" I have such a long way to go. This teaching on the Bema should serve as a strong challenge to us believers. Take some time to ask God to examine your heart, and think about what you spend your life pursuing. Are you aiming to be the most popular girl at school, the best-dressed, the most athletic, the most talented, the smartest, etc? Or are you striving to be the most gentle, the most loving, the boldest evangelist, the holiest, or the greatest prayer warrior? Spend some time thinking about this now, because when we arrive at the Bema, it will be too late to go back...
