Bible Studies

 

It is one thing to learn of all the spiritual blessings and prosperity that the Bible speaks of, concerning the earthly and heavenly experience of believers. It is one thing to be willing to endure the necessary hardship in order to receive them. Both of these objectives can contribute to the motivation and determination of a born-again believer who desires to finish the course that God as set before him or her (1).

The difference between the “run of the mill” Church-goer and an advancing disciple is that an advancing disciple will do both with “hope” (assurance/expectation/patience), knowing that God saves His best blessings for last, whereas for many Churchgoers, such things seem to be more of an obligation or a burden.

Advancing, Christ centered disciples will be willing to wait to receive their individual reward in Heaven, if that is what God has in mind, whereas the self-centered, weak, believer wants it, and wants it now, often becoming bitter when others have what they want now. This is especially true, when those who are receiving what they want now, do not (in one’s opinion) deserve it.

Getting the attention of a born-again believer focused on the prosperity of the wicked is a satanic trap.

The advancing, Christ centered, disciple lives and dies for what they can do for God (2) whereas the self-centered, spiritually-immature believer lives for what they want God to do for them.

“… those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame (Isa. 49: 23 NASB2020).”

The key word here being “hopefully,” evidenced by having a genuine “spring in your step” for the things of God regardless of one’s present circumstances. What reward he or she does not receive and experience in the here and now, will be received and experienced throughout all of eternity.

Advancing disciples do not serve God in order to be rewarded. They would serve God with just as much enthusiasm if there were no reward coming, now, or in eternity. But God has made it clear, that in addition to the general residency and experience that all born-again believers will have (3), there are specific rewards and privileges (4) to be received that are reserved only for those who choose to embrace post-salvation discipleship while here on Earth.

Discipleship calls for glorifying God by studying (5) and applying (6) the Word of God to all that one thinks, says, and does, with the long-term objective of evangelizing and edifying others (7).

Each and every day, a born-again believer has the opportunity to respond to God’s call to post (after) salvation discipleship. Non-participants remain saved (8), but should expect no reward or special privileges in Heaven, and may even find himself in an actual or proverbial storm at sea, or in the belly of a whale, running away from his or her individual calling from God (9).

(1) 2Tim. 4: 7 (2) Phil. 1: 21 (3) 1Cor. 3: 14/Rev. 2/Rev.3 (4) Rom. 8: 1 (5) 2Pet. 3: 18 (6) James 1: 22 (7) Matt. 28: 19, 20 (8) Rom. 8: 1 (9) See Jonah