100. Reward
1 Corinthians 3:8, 14 Every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor,…If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
God promises every man his own reward. This reward comes to each believer according to his labor; each will receive a reward if his work abides. We know that no one can be saved by works, but salvation is by faith alone, not faith plus works. But we also know that God does reward believers for the good works that are done and built on faith in Christ. A good work not done in faith is not a good work, at least it is not counted as a good work meriting salvation or forgiveness. A good work is counted as a good work if it is done in faith without the works of the law. This means that a good work that merits a reward is a work that is done after faith and in faith and it is built on faith. Anything done, no matter how good, outside of faith, before faith, or without faith is not a good work, and does not contribute a thing to salvation. Romans 14:23: “Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.”
But the works that the Lord does in us and through us lasts into eternity and each good work, no matter how seemingly small, will have a reward. “He who gives a cup of cold water to one of these little ones will by not means lose his reward.” Luther says, “Eating breakfast is a good work when it is done in faith.” Likewise, the greatest philanthropy, if not done in faith, receives no reward. All rewards are rewards of grace; that is, Christ earned the reward for us; He gets the credit, but we get the reward. Depending on how long a life is lived in faith, one believer will surely receive thousands of rewards. Thankfully, we can’t keep track, but thankfully, God is keeping track. Our task is to abide in Christ, focus on Him, remember our Baptism, and listen to the Gospel. The fruit of good works will follow. That’s a promise.
And it is a promise that many, many unique rewards await us. And these rewards are distinctive and different from the rewards received by other believers. For just as God created each individual unique and with distinct talents, and as He saved us by grace and granted gifts differing from everyone else, so also each believer will enjoy unique and individual rewards for eternity. (And by the way, there will be no room for jealousy since we are filled with so much gratitude and joy for living in His presence and enjoying His gifts and rewards,) Each receives his own reward: we will not enjoy or even envy rewards given to others. What God does in you and builds in you is eternal, and eternal rewards are included in so great a salvation.