The grace of God saved us through faith, and not by our works. We work for our rewards. I’ve had some say to me “living forever in heaven is enough for me”. They do not know or don’t understand the plan of God for our life in eternity. Being in the presence of God’s glory and experiencing the universal joy we will have in the New Heaven and Earth will be exhilarating. Heaven has much more, we will be rewarded according to our works here and now. Our positions in heaven will be different and rewarded accordingly.
In the future, there will be a universal government with Jesus Christ as its head, ruling the universe from earth and believers will function as His body. “We will be royal priests of God and of Christ and they will rule with Him”, 1 Peter 2:9. Our rewards will not be diamonds, pearls, money, or things people value today. There will be many eternal heavenly positions and opportunities available to those who are worthy.
When Jesus returns He will rule everything. Now, all things in heaven and earth are being restored to Jesus Colossians 1:20-21. “So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” Phillipians 2:10. Jesus will rule all of creation, and His body, the church, we will be positioned in heaven according to His choosing, Ephesians 1:3, 2:6. Believers will judge the angels 1 Corinthians 6:3. For now, believers are Christ’s ambassadors on earth. After we are resurrected we will be kings and priests in the government of our God.
WORK FOR REWARDS
Our rewards in heaven depend on the goodness and power of God. Through Christ’s resurrection, we will gain an inheritance in heaven. On earth our faith is tested and will result in praise, glory and honor or loss 1 Peter 1:3–9. The things we do in this life will be tried by fire. If they survive and are built on the foundation of Christ, they will be carried with you into heaven 1 Corinthians 3:11–15. Fire will test our works to see what type they are. If we dont build on the foundation of truth of Christ you will have loss. Others will be rewarded for their actions 1 Corinthians 3:12.
Jesus has given us the royal privilege of being seated with Him in heaven. We will one day partake in His glory. If we let this spiritual truth sink in, it will change the way we think and live. We work for rewards Romans 2:6.
We Reap whatever we Sow
The scriptures tell us many times rewards are waiting for us in heaven Matthew 5:12; Luke 6:23; 1 Corinthians 3:14. God will give rewards to believers in heaven at the bema seat, or the judgment seat of Christ. Our rewards are based on our faithfulness in service to Him 2 Corinthians 5:10. The rewards will show the reality of our sonship Galatians 4:7 and the justice of God, Hebrews 6:10. We will reap whatever we have sown. At judgment we will inherit eternal rewards or have eternal loss Galatians 6:7–9. God will make good on His promise that our labor in the Lord is not in vain 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Any rewards or honor we gain in heaven will be precious to us. They carry the weight and meaning of our relationship with God. The closer we were to God in this life, the more centered on Him; The more aware of Him, the more dependent on Him, the more desperate for His mercy, the more there will be to celebrate.