Week 36 Matthew 16
The Matthew 16:24-28 paragraph is a pretty sober look-before-you-leap warning that the Lord tells his listeners. Think twice before deciding to follow me (or as he puts it: before you take-up-my-cross).
But what I notice today is that the Lord says that in the end he’ll: reward everyone according to what they have done (another version says ‘recompense’ in place of ‘reward’). The phrase is a quote from a psalm.
The margin also lists a few related references:
Will (the Lord) not repay everyone according to what they have done?
God will repay each person according to what they have done
Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad
The Lord will reward everyone for whatever good they do
Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs
Everyone was judged according to what they had done.
The bible-consensus seems to be that the things I’ve done…things that I’m doing…things that I’ll eventually do… they’re all going to be assessed and compensated for in the end.
I get to decide for myself whether I figure a Final Compensation really is in-the-works. But if it is then what I’m doing with myself is worth keeping tabs on.
Note: quotes from Psalm 62:12 Proverbs 24:12 Romans 2:6 Romans 14:12 2 Corinthians 5:10 Ephesians 6:8 Colossians 3:25 Revelation 20:12 (NIV)