No parent expects much from the children of others. But they do have expectations of their own kids. God does too. Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”
There comes a day in most every parent’s life when they purpose to bless their child, and yet find that before they can do so, the child acts out in a most unacceptable manner. The parent’s plan must be re-accessed. They realize the blessing must be withheld – at least for a time. But holding the blessing back is grievous. Not to the child, who was altogether unaware of the blessing to be had. Rather, it hurts the parent. They know the day was supposed to be one of celebration, and instead has turned to a day of punishment. Their imminent joy at the child’s happiness has been stolen from them, and that by the very one they meant to bless.
If that is so for us, how much more so for God? For it is His nature to bless. How He longs to bless His children! How it must grieve Him when He has to withhold blessing on account of His son or daughter’s selfishness!
God is the giver of life. The sustainer of life. The One who purposes that we might live an abundant life. God is the one who provides for this life, and died on the cross that we might live forever. We have a most gracious and generous Father! So much so that even while we were running about getting on with our lives and largely if not totally ignorant of Him and His mission, Jesus was building and preparing a place for us in His Father’s house, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”
In consideration then, it must not be that we should do only as the ungodly do. For even the greedy and selfish love those who love them. Even secularists show hospitality to other secularists. God’s children surely must have a higher standard than that, do they not? Surely the child of God will not act as the world acts. Or as a Muslim acts, or as a Hindu or Bhuddist acts. Surely a Christian (literally ‘little Christ’) would do as Jesus would do. And Jesus has already told us, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Jesus has no illusion that doing so is easy. He speaks using the language of reward, because He knows that we need some kind of promise that doing so will be ‘worth it’. In a way that is really sad, because all through our existence God has been showing us that He is worth it. But if we ever needed one more reason, here it is. Act like Jesus, and know that it will be worth it. There is a reward for being like Him in character, and in outlook, and in deed. For if He died for us while we were still sinners, what more will He do for us when we truly are and act as His children?
Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.
Jesus (Revelation 22:12)
APPLICATION: Thankfulness
Thank the Lord for the blessings you enjoy today, His bountiful blessings you will enjoy yet in life, and the unimaginable blessings you will enjoy in His presence forever.