And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Revelation 14:13)
Yesterday, we read how our salvation and the eternal rest of a life in God’s presence are not earned by our own work, but by Jesus’ life and death. That does not mean, however, that God doesn’t value our work. It does matter what we do in life, what our deeds and our work are.
This is for example expressed in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. This passage says that our salvation is based on Jesus Christ. He is the foundation we can trust completely. But we are encouraged to build upon this foundation with lasting, valuable materials. “If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire”.
This “work” that God values, is not limited to paid jobs or socially respected positions. Matthew 25 mentions some examples: feeding someone who is hungry, welcoming a stranger, or visiting the sick, to name a few. These are expressions of love that anybody can show, and that are much needed in a broken world. This ‘work’ may not gain us people’s respect, a good salary, or social status. But God will reward it.
Did you build your ‘works’ on the foundation of Jesus Christ who saved you?