Contrary to a view that God's blessing and reward is free of consequence for what we do or how we live, the Bible says that we must all face Christ and tell him what we have done in our life:
2 Cor 5:10 For we must all 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.
We are judged for our lifestyle and person (have we displayed the fruit of the Spirit? love, kindness, patience etc), and also for our work (have we turned our 1 talent into 5?).
The consequence of failing the test in our work is to be cast into outer darkness:
Matt 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The unprofitable servant hid his talent because he was afraid (Matt 25:25). He knew that his master was a hard man (Matt 25:24). Knowing how hard his master was, this should have caused the servant to work even harder to please the master. Instead, the servant did nothing. Of course, Christ is not a hard task-master, He is the complete opposite, loving kind and patient. This indicates that the servant did not truly know the master. The reason the unprofitable servant did not do anything, is because he was afraid. Fear is the biggest hurdle we have to face when it comes to being profitable for God. This fear is normally because we think that Christ's expectations of us are too high and too hard. If we try to please Him it won't be enough, so why try to please Christ at all?
A Christian may feel completely at peace with God, and their conscience clear of sinful things, but this does not mean they don't have anything to answer for or be accountable to.
Far too many times, we use our own feelings and conscience, as a check and balance, that we have done nothing wrong, however neither have we been profitable with the gifts God has given us. It is possible to live a guilt-free life, yet be an unprofitable servant.
This kind of thinking is fine when we are immature in Christ, when we, like a child, can enjoy God and have few responsibilities. However as we grow, God reveals to us His purpose, His plan, that we are on the Earth not for ourselves but for Him. He will cause us to desire to work for him, to use our gifts and talents, and will hold us accountable. If we cooperate with Him, He will ensure that we are faithful, as He is faithful. But if we do not cooperate with Him, we are in danger of being punished.
2 Cor 5:10 For we must all 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.
We are judged for our lifestyle and person (have we displayed the fruit of the Spirit? love, kindness, patience etc), and also for our work (have we turned our 1 talent into 5?).
The consequence of failing the test in our work is to be cast into outer darkness:
Matt 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The unprofitable servant hid his talent because he was afraid (Matt 25:25). He knew that his master was a hard man (Matt 25:24). Knowing how hard his master was, this should have caused the servant to work even harder to please the master. Instead, the servant did nothing. Of course, Christ is not a hard task-master, He is the complete opposite, loving kind and patient. This indicates that the servant did not truly know the master. The reason the unprofitable servant did not do anything, is because he was afraid. Fear is the biggest hurdle we have to face when it comes to being profitable for God. This fear is normally because we think that Christ's expectations of us are too high and too hard. If we try to please Him it won't be enough, so why try to please Christ at all?
A Christian may feel completely at peace with God, and their conscience clear of sinful things, but this does not mean they don't have anything to answer for or be accountable to.
Far too many times, we use our own feelings and conscience, as a check and balance, that we have done nothing wrong, however neither have we been profitable with the gifts God has given us. It is possible to live a guilt-free life, yet be an unprofitable servant.
This kind of thinking is fine when we are immature in Christ, when we, like a child, can enjoy God and have few responsibilities. However as we grow, God reveals to us His purpose, His plan, that we are on the Earth not for ourselves but for Him. He will cause us to desire to work for him, to use our gifts and talents, and will hold us accountable. If we cooperate with Him, He will ensure that we are faithful, as He is faithful. But if we do not cooperate with Him, we are in danger of being punished.
