71. Recompensed
Luke 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed, for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
There is a promise of resurrection for the just(ified); there is a promise of blessing; there is a promise of recompense for inviting the poor who cannot repay. Embedded within this promise is the truth of an exact and complete accounting for every act done on the earth. No kind deed will ever go unrewarded forever. By the same token, no evil deed will go unpunished either. (By God’s Grace our evil deeds are punished finally and forever at the cross.)
In the resurrection justice will be perfect. Equal and appropriate reward and punishment will be repaid for every good or evil act, whether large or small. This kind of perfect justice is the kind of state of affairs that all people dream of, but the hope of seeing perfect justice in a perfect world is always dashed. In an imperfect, sinful, evil and unfair world it will never happen. But in the perfect world of the invisible kingdom of God and eternal visible kingdom of God justice will be perfect; and furthermore, things will always be fair for all, so there will be no complaining. There will be perfect justice at the resurrection of the just.
No kind deed will ever go unnoticed and unrewarded: God notices, God is counting, and God will appropriately repay. We do not act kindly in order to be repaid, but it is encouraging to know that someone notices. This example of giving a banquet is presented by Jesus to show us there are thousands of things we can do for other people, and each one will be noticed and rewarded. Faith in the Gospel is the motivation for rendering kindnesses; Faith in God’s Word and Promise is the encouragement to follow these promptings of the Holy Spirit to “be kind.”