Will God Reward You for the Good Works You Do Today?

The teachings of Jesus reveal the two keys that determine your eternal destiny. Discover how your beliefs and behavior can unlock the doors to eternal life and the rewards that await you. 

1. Faith unlocks the door to eternal life with God. And 2. Your behavior unlocks the door to your rewards in eternity.
(from Bruce Wilkerson, A Life God rewards: Why Everything You Do Today Matters Forever)


How God Rewards You for Your Beliefs and Behavior

At the end of your life you will be judged by Jesus. There are 2 judgment events revealed in scripture. 

The great white throne judgment separates those who refused to believe in Jesus from those who do believe in Him. Those whose names do not appear in the Book of Life, the nonbelievers, will be separated from God forever and sent to hell where they will be punished for their sins. (see Revelation 20:11-15, Matthew 25:46)

The second judgment is an awards ceremony for believers. It is called the Bema Seat judgment. Only believers will be in this line. Here, Christ will look at each person’s life and reward him/her for the works they have done.  (see John 5:22, 2 Corinthians 5:10)

So, to make this crystal clear:
You are saved by faith, not works. You can’t work your way to salvation. Scripture does not support this idea. Yet, many people believe this. It simply isn’t true. 

Ephesians 2:8 AMP
For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God;

You aren’t saved through your effort – your works. The simple act of believing in Jesus and giving him your life saves you. Salvation is a gift from God to all who by faith believe in Jesus.

Your behavior as a Christian on earth determines the position, authority, and honor you will receive in heaven. God’s rewards for living for God are not a gift. They must be earned.

JESUS, in LUKE 6:22-23 
What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven.  

When people hate you and persecute you because you live for Jesus and are doing God’s work, you should rejoice because the work you are doing on earth earned you a “great reward” in heaven.


JESUS, IN MATTHEW 16:27 says:
“For the Son of Man will come in the
glory of His Father with His angels,
and then He will reward each
according to his works.”

I was always taught that we all get the same reward. But it’s not true. We don’t all get the same reward in heaven. What we do on earth determines our reward. 


God has a plan for your life. A specific plan. 
Ephesians 2:10 EXB
God has made us what we are… In Christ Jesus, God ·made [created] us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.

You will be rewarded for your faithfulness in loving God, loving others, and completing the specific works God has planned and prepared for you to do.


It isn’t Just Big Things. God Rewards Us for Simple, Daily Things We Do.
Every little thing you do for God in love and obedience will be rewarded in heaven.

Mark 9:41 ERV
I can assure you that anyone who helps you by giving you a drink of water because you belong to the Messiah will definitely get a reward.

Every kind deed. Every act of forgiveness. Every prayer. Every instance of you loving others is recorded in your book in heaven. 

In Matthew 6:6, Jesus said, “your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Activation: listen to the podcast. The activation is the best part!