But even a casual study of the Word of God reveals that a new horizon now opens on the redeemed soul. If life is by faith, reward is consequent on works done after faith. For Scripture regards each saved soul as a runner racing, an athlete wrestling, a warrior fighting, a farmer sowing, a mason building, a fugitive flying, a besieger storming; and all this strenuous intensity rests on a fundamental or revelation—“that God is, and that He is a Rewarder” (Hebrews 6:6). “With many disciples the eyes are yet blinded to this mystery of rewards, which is an open mystery of the Word. It must be an imputed righteousness whereby we enter; but having thus entered by faith, our works determine our relative rank, place, reward” (Dr. A.T. Pierson). Calvin, though seeing this truth but dimly, has packed into a sentence the Scripture doctrine of reward:--“There is no inconsistency in saying that God rewards good works, provided we understand that, nevertheless, men obtain eternal life gratuitously.”

   Nor is there any doubt that this is a truth for the Church of God. “Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each {disciple} according as his work is” (Revelation 22:12). To whom is this said? “I, Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches.” Too often, as Dr. A.J. Gordon says, “just as the Legalist resents the doctrine that good works can have no part in effecting our forgiveness, so the Evangelical recoils from the idea that they can constitute any ground for our recompense.” But Paul says—“He that planteth and he that watereth are one”—in standing and redemption—“but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:8). So also he balances the double-edged recompense. “Servants obey. . . knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ. For—on the other hand—he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons” (Colossians 3:24). It is thus a truth that concerns us. In the words of Dr. Eadie—“The Christian doctrine of reward is too often lost sight of or kept in abeyance, as if it were not perfectly consistent with the freest bestowment of heavenly glory.”  

The Judgment Seat of Christ (Panton) - D.M. Panton