God Rewards Sanctified Deeds

In light of what I've presented so far, what does God want of us? Humility is what the Lord treasures in his people.

We read this answer in Micah 6:8 (BBE) regarding what God requires of us. "He has made clear to you, O man, what is good; and what is desired from you by the Lord; only doing what is right, and loving mercy, and walking without pride before your God."
 That puts an end to working for one's righteousness.

The Lord also delights in diligent conduct. When we work for an employer, we must work as if Christ is our boss. As Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:6 (BBE), "Not only under your master's eye, as pleasers of men; but as servants of Christ, doing the pleasure of God from the heart;"

Submitting to elders is another way we show that we are truly Christ's people. In just one example from 1 Peter 5:5 (BBE), we see why we must do so. "And in the same way, let the younger men be ruled by the older ones. Let all of you put away pride and make yourselves ready to be servants: for God is a hater of pride, but he gives grace to those who make themselves low."

We see even in marriage that there needs to be submission and love. Colossians 3:18 and 19 (BBE) says, "Wives, be under the authority of your husbands, as is right in the Lord. Husbands, have love for your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Even kids don't get a break from submission, as is proper in God's family plan. Colossians 3:20 (BBE)) admonishes, "Children, do the orders of your fathers and mothers in all things, for this is pleasing to the Lord."

Giving must also be voluntary. Though God did command various sacrifices, the obeying of them wasn't for salvation but for teaching the sinfulness of sin. We read in Exodus 35:5 (BBE) how people volunteered to give materials for the tabernacle. "Take from among you an offering to the Lord; everyone who has the impulse in his heart, let him give his offering to the Lord; gold and silver and brass;"

Paul also understood the value of a freewill offering. Check out what he wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7 (BBE) about giving. "Let every man do after the purpose of his heart; not giving with grief, or by force: for God takes pleasure in a ready giver."

The commonality in all these verses is the attitude of love-filled submission. Nobody is to think of themselves more highly than they ought for God judges the hearts.

I'll be emphasizing this in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? Proud people think they're doing God a favour but it's the opposite way around. It's God who shows us favour since we can't earn it.

On Saturday, I hope to post about a song which reminds me of the hypocrisy I experienced in one house church.