Reward: Modern Proverbs

Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.
- Dean Karnazes, ultra marathon runner

Reward
Modern Proverbs

Scripture promises that those who faithfully follow the Holy Spirit's instructions will overcome sin's temptations and deceptions. It takes a little digging, but finding and combining Scriptures on the subject paint a glorious picture of an eternity of ecstasy awaiting the faithful.

In one parable, after having been Crowned King, Christ returns to dispense governorships of cities to His faithful servants. Given the present size of the cosmos is approximately 100 billion light years in diameter, with two hundred billion or more galaxies, each with as many stars, it seems the "cities" in this parable might be rather glorious! Or might Omnity have something even better in mind!

You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.

- 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 MSG

Reward
Modern Proverbs
by Robert R. Pennington

Heaven is a hell of a thing to miss.

Scripture tells of a far and better Kingdom with riches enough to enthrone slaves and such glory as to enslave kings. Far, yet within reach. Better, yet nearly universally neglected.

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

"I saw thrones. Those put in charge of judgment sat on the thrones. I also saw the souls of those beheaded because of their witness to Jesus and the Word of God, who refused to worship either the Beast or his image, refused to take his mark on forehead or hand—they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years! The rest of the dead did not live until the thousand years were up. This is the first resurrection—and those involved most blessed, most holy. No second death for them! They're priests of God and Christ; they'll reign with him a thousand years." Revelation 20:4-6

"Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? Don’t you realize that we will judge angels?" 1 Corinthians 6:2-3

A Christian's glory is in Christ's salvation from wrath and exaltation to the loftiest relationship with God. "I call you servants no longer, but friends...'" "Go and tell my Brothers I live..." No wonder Paul says, "whom he justified he also glorified" and again, "Christ in you, your hope of Glory!" How happy we’d be if we could only truly believe it.

With 100 to 200 Billion stars per galaxy and again as many galaxies, the "cities" of Christ's parable of the talents should be rather glorious!

"...and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" Ephesians 2:6-7

Scripture is replete with understatements. God's promise to Abram (Abraham), "I am your exceeding great reward" being one. Here is another, "the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly...the whole creation groans...". In the word, "futility" ly a quadrillion deaths from the biologic to human and perhaps beyond, with a thousand ""groans"" preceding each.

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God." Revelation 21:1-3

Under the three Heavens, New Jerusalem, as the Redeemer’s City is the most glorious in all of creation. In the shape of a cube, it measures fifteen hundred miles wide, tall and deep. The City has twelve stories, each a hundred and twenty miles high making it tall enough that one could watch Earth’s low orbiting satellites crash into its crystalline walls.

Who understands the Economy of God? Who strives to be last so as to be first? Who labors to be impoverished in hopes of becoming rich? In building our glorious sanctuaries, ministries and lifestyles who has the time or inclination to descend the steps of Christ's beatitudes into the catacombs of persecution for the sake of Kingdom joy?

Much like the Louisiana purchase or the trading of vast Indian lands for firewater and beads, so we Westerners trade our heavenly estates (planets, solar systems, galaxies...) for drunkenness and golden bobbles of a lesser quality than heaven's pavement.

Given every "good and perfect" gift comes from God and that "many who are first shall be last and last first," many things that seem to be blessing on Earth will be revealed as curses in Heaven. And vice versa.

Given the quality and quantity of eternal life, it is little wonder the Apostle Paul was willing to be "of all men most miserable" on Earth "to obtain a better resurrection" in eternity. What is a great wonder is why 1st World Christians, nearly to a man, choose an opposite fate?

In Romans 8:1-17 alone Paul uses 8 literal "ifs" and nearly as many implied ones to encourage and confront God's people with a singular truth. "If" conditionally we live as Jesus did "then" through Him and by His Spirit we may enjoy His position before God, in time and in eternity.

Having a corrupted nature, every natural craving of devil and man is to ascend; in power, position, prestige and pleasure. The Kingdom of God, in opposition, works by this law: "for every action there is a greater and opposite reaction." Hence: he who looses his earthly life finds a heavenly one and a widow's mite turns into great eternal treasure. One sin, Adam's, fell all creation and one sacrifice, Christ's, redeems it infinitely. It's the humble God exalts in heaven and the meek who inherit the Earth. As the chorus proclaims: "You came from heaven to earth to show the way, from earth to the cross my debt to pay, from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the skies, Lord I lift your name on high."

Salvation is a Priceless Gift, given in exchange for ALL we have! ("Pearl of Great Price," "Treasure Hid in a Field," Rich Young Ruler, Penitent Thief, etc.). Yet how few are willing to pay? Jesus warns unless we deny ourselves Daily and take up our Cross (giving all) we can't be his disciple. Yet how few are willing to die? Might we admit we are not able or willing to be disciples? Might we say with Peter, "Lord, I love (Grk. phileo) you" and until I LOVE (grk. agapeo) you enough to exchange my All for Yours; until I'm fit to bare my cross for You as You bore Yours for me. Will He fit us for one, as he did for Peter upon who's confession of unworthiness He replied, "When you were young you went were you wanted but when you are old they will stretch out your hands and take you were you do not want to go". Salvation's price must remain All, yet perhaps for the honest and penitent might He except a down payment with Daily installments?

One would think at least the remnant of modern Laodicea would diligently endeavor to understand and implement Christ's advice to buy from Him Gold tried by fire, white garments and eye salve. But where are the mega conferences on these topics? Few appear to care wether they or those they love enter eternity impoverished, naked and/or blind. Few see the generosity of the glorified Christ's offer to make the foolish worldly dreams of the most selfish of the seven churches an eternal reality. Few believe His chastisement is directed towards them, or that it arises from love or that being seated with Him on His Father's throne is worth overcoming this generation's deceptions.

Seeing "The LORD has no pleasure in the death of the wicked" one wonders His attitude concerning the waist of time, energy and money of the righteous.

Many live life in obscurity. I'm praying God appreciates the difference between hiding ones "talent" under the bed and having it repeated shoved under one.

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