Are You a Believer or Disciple?
ICS Daily Devotions
James 1:12 (NKJV) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
2 Timothy 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
1 Corinthians 9:25 (NKJV) And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
One day, Jesus will come back, and all believers must give an account of what we have done for Him with all that He has given us and receive our rewards accordingly.
Some of these rewards mentioned in the Bible are symbolic crowns which represent honour and victory.
According to the Scriptures above, they include the Crown of Life (endurance), the Crown of Righteousness (longing for Christ’s return), and the Imperishable Crown (self-discipline).
Some of us are called into full-time ministry, but all of us are in full-time service to the Lord as ambassadors for Christ in the companies where we work or in our respective spheres of influence—the harvest field where God has placed you. The fivefold ministry workers are to equip you for the work of the ministry. You will be rewarded for the work of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 3:8-9 (NKJV) Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.
Jesus has given us administrative gifts, spiritual gifts, financial resources, and talents. Our willingness and motives to serve with our gifts and talents, to share the gospel, and to offer our houses, apartments, vehicles, and finances will all be revealed on that day. God will reward each one based on their work of service, except for hospitality to God’s servants, where we will also receive the reward of their work (Matthew 10:41).
There is a huge difference between seeking the hand and seeking the face of Jesus. When we seek only His hand to provide for all our wants in, we treat God like a vending machine. By contrast, when we seek His face to worship Him for who He is and for all that Jesus has done for us, we consecrate our lives to God.
God calls us to be disciples of Christ rather than mere believers. It costs us little when we seek the hand of God because He becomes a convenience store to us, but if we truly appreciate the work of redemption through the blood of Jesus, we will want to live purposefully and intentionally for the Lord.
Reflection: Would you call yourself a believer in Christ or a disciple of His? How is the Holy Spirit inviting you to surrender more fully to the Lord?
Sermon Series: Pick up the cross to follow Jesus
