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.
Hebrews 11:6
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Luke 18:28-30
28 Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Judges 8:22-24
22 The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.”23 But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.” 24 And he said, “I do have one request, that each of you give me an earring from your share of the plunder.” (It was the custom of the Ishmaelites to wear gold earrings.)
1 Thessalonians 1:3
3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
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.