Our last two posts looked at individual rewards that believers will have in eternity. First we saw that God has promised individual rewards; second, we saw that one of those rewards will be management over God’s creation. In fact, other than God’s expressed approval of our lives, there are no other clearly stated individual rewards in Scripture. However, in this post I offer a suggestion about the nature of individual rewards. As I reflect on this, I ask myself these questions:
“What kind of reward would our loving God give to his children?”
Answer: probably whatever is most valuable in eternity.
“What is most valuable in eternity?”
Answer: partaking of God’s nature, for there is no higher bliss than God himself.
“So how could God make a reward out of partaking of his nature?”
Answer: we already know that when he fully restores his image in us he will make us beautiful and luminous and good; isn’t this partaking of his nature?
“Yes, but how will he give more to some for their faithfulness?”
Answer: perhaps he will infuse more beauty and luminosity and goodness into some believers than into others. All will shine but some will shine more than others just as “star differs from star in splendor” (1 Cor. 15:41, NIV). In this way, some will have the greater bliss of hosting and radiating more of God’s glory. This would include experiencing more of God’s love (which is the pinnacle of his goodness) so that our spiritual marriage would be more rapturous. It would also include greater capacity to love him which is a burning desire for his lovers. Thus, partaking in more of his nature would be the ultimate eternal reward.
Of course, we serve God because we love him, not for material rewards. However, if God promises to reward individuals for their faithfulness then we can look forward to that and let it encourage us in times of difficulty. If in fact God will give some believers more of his glorious nature so that we can enjoy more of him and love him more then shouldn’t we be even more motivated to surrender all to him and purify our lives and conform to the image of Christ?
