PERSPECTIVE
Standing before God and looking back on your life, will you have regret or will you enjoy reward? The apostle Paul lived his life for God and Jesus Christ in such a fashion that he expected reward! Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing.” As you take a few moments to reflect on your life, consider the following areas in your life were you have opportunity to forge a life of reward or regret.
1. Prosperity
Standing before God and looking back on your life, will you discover that God wanted to bless you much more but you were selfish and afraid to sow into the kingdom of God? I am particularly thinking of the rich young ruler who went away sad because Jesus told him to sell all that he had, give to the poor and follow Him (Luke 18:18-23). But it was really a set-up! Jesus later explained to his disciples that no man (person) who sacrifices for the kingdom of God’s sake would go un-rewarded in time as well as in eternity (Luke 18:29-30).
2. Potential
Standing before God and looking back on your life, will you discover that God wanted to use your gifts and talents but you failed to discipline yourself and develop them? Perhaps you lacked the courage to use your gifts and talents! Perhaps you chose to use your gifts and talents for the world and the accolades of men and not unto the glory of God. See Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
3. Productive
Standing before God and looking back on your life, will you discover that God wanted to use you personally to soul-win and lead people to discipleship at your local church? True productivity in the life of a Christian is to be reproductive! It is men, women and children being born-again and disciplined in the doctrines of Christ. God’s original design for humanity; be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28) has not changed. Only, God is looking for righteous seed (people who believe and receive and obey the Gospel) and expects us personally as individuals to engage in soul-winning (as a life-style) and expand the kingdom of God (Mark 16:15-20, Matthew 28:18-20).
4. People
Standing before God and looking back on your life, will you discover that God gave you key relationships, but you were not loyal and loving enough to maintain them? Perhaps you have allowed the devil to “punk” (deceive) you through offense and tempt you to walk away from key relationships given by God to fulfill your destiny. The apostle Paul said Demas had forsaken him (2 Timothy 4:10). Luke and Mark learned Paul was a (key) God-given relationship. Even though at one time in the past, Paul had a problem with Mark which ended in separation, Paul later requested Mark because he was useful (Mark had gotten himself together!) to Paul in the ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).
5. Purpose
Standing before God and looking back on your life, will you discover that God wanted to reproduce the character of Christ in you, but you refused to deal with your sins? You refused to walk in integrity and pursue spiritual growth! Destiny is not just about what we accomplish, but who we become in the process of accomplishing our God-given assignments. Romans 8:29 tells us we are predestined to be conformed to the image God’s Son Jesus. See Romans 12:1-2.
RECLAIM YOUR REWARD
It is my prayer that your life will be a life of reward and not one of regrets. As you reflect on your life to this point, I don’t believe it’s to late for you to become the person you might have been! Just start now, today. Make the necessary changes in your life. Stop making excuses. It’s time to start today. Take your journey anew towards reward and leave regret behind!