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| Photo by Pam Williams |
Rewards cards—I have a keychain full of miniatures and enough to fill my wallet a couple times over. The rewards include everything from discounts on groceries to seniors on Tuesdays (for which I am happy to qualify), to free upgrades at hotels, to preferred treatment when flying. There seems to be a rewards card for just about anything these days—free beverages, cash back, haircuts—you name it!
In a devotional recently I read, “Jesus always rewards
faith.” It got me thinking about the rewards of faith. What do we gain by having
faith in Jesus—in who He is, what He has done, and what He continues to do?
Since the very beginnings of my faith journey, God has shown
that he does reward faith in Jesus. In 2015 I underwent surgery and
chemotherapy for breast cancer. Looking back, I have to say, it wasn’t as bad
as I anticipated. Why? Faith. God granted me the
assurance, that, no matter what, Jesus was with me, taking care of me. On days
when fatigue reigned, and I felt overwhelmed by the process, God threw me the
lifeline of His Word, “You can do all things through Christ, who strengthens
you.” (Philippians 4:13)
The rewards for faith aren't necessarily health or prosperity or position; sometimes the benefit is merely the ability to hang in there when the going gets rough. The list of blessings that stem from faith in Jesus just
keeps growing and growing!
Salvation: “You can be saved through faith in Christ Jesus.”
2 Timothy 3:15
Fellowship: “As you share the faith you have in common with
others, I pray that you may come to have a complete knowledge of every blessing
we have in Christ.” Philemon 1:6
Guidance: “Our lives are guided by faith, not by sight.” 2
Corinthians 5:7
Joy, Peace, Hope: “God … [will] fill you with joy and peace
through your faith in him. Then you will overflow with hope...” Romans 15:13
Strength: “Be strengthened by the faith that you were taught.”
Colossians 2:7
Endurance: “Your faith produces endurance.” James 1:3
Victory: “Our faith is what wins the victory over the world.”
1 John 5:4
What do you count as a “reward” for faith in Jesus?
Be
encouraged!
Pam
