Living for a "Well Done" - From His Heart - Week of July 21

I love basketball.  When I was in school, basketball was my sport.  Although far from outstanding, I was a solid player for the Cypress Creek Cougars, helping my team go 29-6 my senior year (1979-80).   
 
My basketball coach throughout my Cy-Creek days was Norman Pasche—an Al Pacino look-alike if there ever was one.  (I loved Coach Pasche.  He is a dear friend to this day.)  As a player, I still remember the wonderful feelings of hearing him praise me for a good game or a great play.  Truth be told, hearing a “well done” from the coach motivated me to give my all on the court. 
 
MEETING WITH THE COACH
 
The Bible makes it clear that we all have a date with deity.  Unbelievers will stand before Him one day at the Great White Throne Judgment.  This is a terrible judgment of horror and eternal punishment.  All those who appear before the Great White Throne have rejected God and His provision for their sin through the only Savior, Jesus Christ.  Since they have said no to the Lord’s mercy and grace, the only thing left for them is God’s perfect justice.  (See Revelation 20:11-15 for more details.) 
 
For the Christian, however, we will have our date with deity at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  This is not a judgment to determine heaven or hell—that decision is made in this life, not the next.  All those who stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ are people who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son and our only Savior.  Old Testament saints looked forward to the cross, and New Testament saints look backward to the cross.  Both groups are saved the same way: by grace through faith, apart from works. 
 
It is at the Judgment Seat of Christ, where the Lord, the Coach of the universe, talks to His own, one-on-one.  At this judgment, your service for Christ will be evaluated.  If you served poorly because you were more focused on self than the Savior, on the kingdom of earth than the kingdom of heaven, you will “suffer loss” (1 Cor. 3:15).  How tragic to have no reward for all your years as a believer. 
 
If, however, you served Him faithfully, sincerely, and obediently, you will be rewarded by the King.  You will hear your Coach say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  Can there be a greater reward than that?  To know that you pleased the King and garnered His praise makes every trial and every tear worth it all. 
 
YOU WON’T BE SORRY
 
In the last chapter of the last book of the Bible, Jesus said, "I am coming quickly and My reward is with me, to render to every man according to what he has done" (Revelation 22:12). Let this truth motivate you to live each day for His glory … to live each day abiding in His love, grace, and plan for your life.  Happy is the person who lives in the light of His return.  Your Coach is watching your every move.  He longs to be able to say to you one day, “My dear child, well done!”

P.S.  I would love to hear your thoughts on this.  Direct questions and comments to pastorjeff@fromhisheart.org.