07/04/2021
The riches of grace that have been bestowed on us reach much further than the moment we first believe, or at the instant of our judgement when God pronounces us worthy in Christ. When we win an earthly race we receive a reward, but it is for that moment alone, and it fades over time, however, when we are victorious over sin through Christ, and presented with the grace of God, it is meant to bring us His unlimited gift of riches Forevermore.
“even when we were dead in our trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2:5-7 ESV
We win all sorts of races in our lives, make earthly fortunes by our efforts, and in so doing we are given trophies, spoken of in flowery language that might border on misplaced worship, and sometimes are given untold monetary rewards, but none of these things lasts forever. What the world has to offer us fades over time, and is soon forgotten… along with us.
“for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”
1 Peter 1:24-25 ESV
I was watching a documentary on the Pharaohs of Egypt, and how in their day they were incredibly powerful, celebrated, worshiped, and amassed unbelievable wealth. They built enormous pyramids and monuments so that their remains would be protected, glorified, and transported into eternity when their life on earth was complete, but in the end their faces were chiseled from the statues they thought would immortalize them, their tombs were broken into and plundered by thieves and archeologists, and the treasures they had gathered around themselves were scattered across the world. Their bodies themselves were desecrated, broken, and often destroyed… this is the high honor of the world, and the peak of immortality that it is capable of offering, but our God, and the grace He rewards us with is truly for all eternity, and our treasure in heaven will never be plundered. Jesus tells us that this is where we gather our fortunes, and that our treasures are the result of love… which is eternal.
““Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV
““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 ESV
These verses, and others like them, are the truths that should be contained in documentaries meant to glorify, and teach of Jesus Christ. There are no golden artifacts from the tomb of Jesus, or a single monument built by Him to house his remains… His wealth is measured by His glory, for He Himself is the treasure of Heaven; He is not of this earth, but what we accumulate in heavenly storehouses; The glory found in Jesus Christ is the wealth of God, and the grace which flows through Him is our true reward.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 ESV
What we have come to consider wealth on earth, the finest gold known to man, and fields of grain growing in the sun, is trodden under the feet of those in Heaven… the New Jerusalem.
“…the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”
Revelation 21:21 ESV
And the sun that shines on the earth, and causes every living thing to grow, is worthless and unnecessary in Heaven, just as the moon that lights the night no longer exists because there is no night, nor any reason to be saved from its terrors. Jesus is the eternal light of heavenly day, and is our peace that extinguishes all the fears of darkest night.
“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”
Revelation 21:23 ESV
It is in this way that the promise we have in the coming ages is ours forevermore. What God created He can destroy, but the uncreated, His Son, and the images He made of Himself, are eternal… given to us as an immeasurable, and everlasting treasure through His grace and kindness… Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, and Dove of Peace.
Is this the laurel wreath, and treasure, that each of us pursues?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the race of faith we run every day, and the treasure we amass in heaven, which is Jesus Christ. Thank you for your Holy Spirit that opens our eyes to the fact that our time on earth is fleeting, and so are its rewards. In this way we thank you, because the least of us on earth will be those who ignore all it has to offer, as we pursue you, and your Son Jesus, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We will become the greatest for having obeyed your will as Christ, and in claiming the heavenly reward you offer us out of love, and by your amazing grace. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves us without end, and through grace gives us your greatest gift, and treasure… Jesus. Praised be your name Lord because in you we find all wisdom, kindness, and every form of goodness. We worship you Father, not because we must, but because we love you, and know you as our all in all. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, and forgive us our sins Lord. Separate us from them as far as the East is from the West, and choose not to remember them again. Pronounce us worthy, to be your children, and as the heirs and joint heirs with Jesus as we are seated at your eternal table. Let us remain there in your presence forevermore… basking in the glow of your presence… victors forever in faith!
Rich Forbes