The promise of rewards

Pressing hard in the work of the ministry of which we are called to, takes sacrifice, dedication and passion. If we are not willing to make sacrifices for the kingdom of God our earthen as well as our heavenly rewards will be limited. The bible teaches us that God rewards those who follow him and do his will (he11:6). Luke writes that Peter told Jesus that he and his fellow disciples had left everything to follow him, but Jesus reminded him that there are rewards much greater coming to them in this time and in eternity (Lk18:28-30). The signs of a chosen one are reflected on how one presses onward to serving God. People know by your devotion to God and his service what your calling is. Take for instance Gideon who with three hundred men God delivered the Midianites into their hands to be defeated. He was called to be the deliverer of his people, but his ideas were just for that instance and nothing more (Jdg8:22-24). 

Romans 16:12-13

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.

Throughout history men and women alike have given their lives for the cause of Christ. They have worked earnestly without rest to make sure that this gospel presses onward, and Paul takes the time to recognize the labor of love they have shown throughout the epistles (1Th1:3). Luke reminds us that God does not forget our labor of love (Hb6:10). But, the calling to serve begins at sometime in our lives as in Rufus’ life; like in many of us, it began at the cross.  Rufus is Alejandro’s brother sons of Simon from Cyrene. Paul mentions Rufus’ mom to being as his mom, and Rufus to be chosen by God. Simon was the man chosen to carry the cross for Christ. History says that Simon must have been on his way to Jerusalem for the Passover.  This act was a literal representation of the verse “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me”(Lk9:23). Now, the city of Cyrene was one of the first of which the Christian church that came out. Simon’s experience with Jesus and the cross caused him to radically devote his life to the preaching of the gospel. His family and city came to Christ because of his encounter. Simon was martyred in 100AD, he was cut in half with a saw. 

 

Verses
Hebrews 6;10

10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Luke 9:23
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

 

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