Live in Reverence by Faith with Hope

- God is not only our benevolent Father but also our just Judge who judges each person's work/deeds impartially. He does not show favoritism. "God's children are to be judged, not at the great white throne, but at the judgment seat of Christ. That judgment will not decide our eternal destiny, because that has been settled before; but it will settle the rewards of our faithfulness or otherwise." (F.B. Meyer) "For we must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10) "Their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward." (1 Corinthians 3:13-14)

- Since God is our Father and Judge, we ought to honor, revere, and obey Him. Though we are in the world, we are not of this world. Our eternal home and citizenship are in Heaven. We are to live out our time here on earth as foreigners in reverent fear of God...in humble worship of Him...in awe of Him...with highest respect. "Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (2 Corinthians 7:1b) This loving, reverent relationship we have towards our Heavenly Father produces obedience and holy living. Let us live in the light of eternity! If we are of Heaven, how should we live in this world? We live for God. We invest our time, energy, money, and anything else we have on earth into eternal things. "The nearer to Heaven in hopes, the farther from earth in desires." (William Gurnall)

- Through Christ, we have been reconciled to the Father. Jesus is God's means of our salvation. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:6) Christ is our Redeemer and Mediator. Christ was raised from the dead for our justification and our future resurrection (our glorification). Because He lives, we too shall live and appear with Him in glory. "Without Christ we should only dread God; whereas through Him we believe, and hope, and love." (Wesley). The God Who planned and executed our redemption is the Object of our trust. Christ's resurrection proved that the God of the Gospel is truly the Living God. The foundation for a Christian's faith and hope in God is the resurrection and glorification of Jesus Christ. "Your faith rests on Christ’s resurrection--it was God who raised Him: your hope, on Christ’s glorification: it is God who has given Him that glory." (Henry Alford)

- Prayer: Father, thank You for the relationship that I can have with You through Jesus Christ! Thank You for the hope of Heaven and the promise of an eternity with You! Please help me remember that this world is not my home and help me to hold everything with open hands and open heart. Please use my time, money, abilities, everything that I have for Your glory and Your kingdom. Please empower me with the Holy Spirit so that I can live for You. Please use my life to shine Your love and light to everyone around me. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.