Does Your Life Matter?

Will My Life Matter?

Satan’s cruelty is stunning! Even though he knows that selfishness destroys, he tempted even Jesus to act selfishly (Matthew 4:3). Even though he knows that God is utterly good, he tempted even Jesus to presume upon the goodness of the Father (Matthew 4:5-7). Even though he knows that “the law of the Lord is perfect...the testimony of the Lord is sure, the statutes of the Lord are right, and the commandment of the Lord is pure,” he tempted even Jesus to misunderstand and misapply God’s law (Psalm 19:7-11). Even though he knows that “the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up,” he tempted even Jesus to choose fame and fortune over loyalty to God (2 Peter 3:10, Matthew 4:8-9).

The devil loves to offer shortcuts to significance. He loves to offer substitutes that have the appearance of value, but hold no worth at all. He offers hollow dreams to hurting people, hoping that they’ll trust their wishes more than they trust God’s truth.

The devil loves to whisper lies. Through one means or another, he says to God’s people, “You don’t count. What’s one among six billion? Does anybody who matters even know who you are? Are you so arrogant as to think that your life really matters?”

The Lord loves to shout truth. We matter enough that He sent His Son to redeem us (John 3:16). We matter enough that Jesus Christ lets us wear His name (Acts 11:26). We matter enough that no power, whether physical, social, economic, political, or spiritual, “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35-39). Unless we rebel, we stand secure in Christ. We matter enough that God has entrusted the gospel to our care, as “God’s fellow workers” (Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Corinthians 3:9). We matter enough that God Himself intends to dwell with us forever (Revelation 21:1-3).

Will my life matter? It will if it is lived in Christ. Not a single deed done to the glory of God will be forgotten (Matthew 10:42, Hebrews 6:10). God will be glorified by every good work that we do in His name (Matthew 5:16). God will be pleased by both our good deeds and our worship (Hebrews 13:15-16).

Will my life matter? It will if I help even one other person obey the gospel of Christ or return to truth (James 5:19-20). To seek and save the lost is to step into the very mission of Jesus (Luke 19:10). Nothing, not even the whole material world, matters more than a soul (Matthew 16:25-27).

No Good Deed . . . . Part Two

No Good Deed Goes . . . Part 2

Written by Dr. Bill Bagents

“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown to-ward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end” (Hebrews 6:10-11).

No good deed done righteously to the glory of God goes unnoticed, unappreciated, or unrewarded. But that doesn’t mean that the reward will always be obvious, immediate, or earthly. And upon reflection, that’s amazingly encouraging.

God rewards better than we have any right to expect. Scripture offers many exam-ples.

• In return for helping the spies escape, Rahab asked that her family be spared (Joshua 2:8-14). Not only was her family spared, but she became the great-grandmother of King David (Matthew 1:5-6). On top of that, she’s listed in the Honor Roll of Faith (Hebrews 11:31).
• In return for great faithfulness, Caleb asked for the portion of Canaan where the giants lived (Joshua 15:6-15). Joshua 15:11 tells us that his strength and eyesight were unabated by age.
• David wanted to build a house for God (2 Samuel 7). Though God didn’t allow that, He rewarded David with these words, “Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). What an acknowledgement of a good intention!
• Solomon chose wisdom when offered opportunity to request a gift from God (1 Kings 3). Because his request pleased the Lord and showed humility, God also gave him wisdom, riches, and honor above everyone on earth (1 Kings 3:13).
• An unnamed widow chose to give her all, two tiny coins, to God (Mark 12:41-44). For her act of faith, she lives forever as a shining example of trust and good will.
• A woman anointed Jesus with costly fragrant oil (Mark 14:3-9). For her act of faith, “Wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” What amazing return on an investment!
• In the earliest days of the church, Barnabas sold land and brought the money to the apostles for the common good (Acts 4:36-37). God rewarded him with a role in helping Saul “plug into” the church in both Jerusalem and Antioch (Acts 9:26-27, 11:25-26). The Holy Spirit chose Barnabas to lead the first divinely called mission team (Acts 13:1-3).

No Good Deed

No Good Deed Goes . . .

Written by Dr. Bill Bagents

You know how the devil completes that line. He and those deceived by him consis-tently repeat, “No good deed goes unpunished.” And sometimes it seems like the devil is right.

• A godly wife does all she can to live the truth of 1 Peter 3:1-6, but her husband doesn’t respond with love. He intensifies his cruelty and rebellion to God.
• Godly parents do all they can to live the truth of Proverbs 22:6 and Ephesians 6:4, but their children neither appreciate nor internalize godly training.
• Godly elders attempt to live up to the truth of Hebrews 13:17, but some brethren see them as meddlesome and overbearing.
• Godly Christians do their best to apply Matthew 18:15-17 and Galatians 6:1-2, but they are accused of being self-righteous and judgmental.
• Faithful Christians take to heart the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20, but they are accused of trying to force their religion on others.

Sadly, all this happens. Even stouter examples could be added. And Satan gloats when he persuades some that righteousness costs far more than it pays.

Happily, Scripture countermands each of the devil’s lies. It’s just not true that “no good deed goes unpunished.” Rather, in this sin-damaged world, it’s more accurate to say that “few good deeds go unchallenged.” Satan opposes good, especially good that’s done in the name of Christ. Why? Because the devil knows the power of good deeds! Because the devil knows that good deeds honor God, help people, and mold Christian character.

What the devil opposes, God commends. In God’s divine grace and mercy, for the faithful we can say, “No good deed goes unnoticed,” “No good deed goes unappreciated,” and “No good deed goes unrewarded.” We have God’s word on these truths.

Remember Matthew 25:31-46? Those who fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, took in the stranger, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, and visited the prisoner heard these words from the King: “Assuredly, I say to you inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (25:40). Remember Titus 3:8, “…Those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” Remember Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints and do minister.”

We have God’s word on it. Love the Lord and no good deed goes unrewarded!