Lent Day 38

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”  Colossians 3:23-24

We all like to be rewarded for our hard work. In the above verses we are promised ‘the reward of the inheritance’ for our work for the Lord. So, what is this inheritance? As Christians, we share in the same inheritance as God’s original people, the Israelites. “To share in the inheritance is to have a portion of the heritage belonging to God's people. There is an obvious allusion to the inheritance of ancient Israel in the Promised Land and the share of the inheritance each Israelite had. Christians, as the new people of God, also have an inheritance, and each believer has a share allotted to him or her” (Expositor's Bible Commentary [Abridged Edition]: New Testament).

So, when can we expect to receive this inheritance? Actually, we are already benefitting from this inheritance.  As “Christians (we) have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and are even now (participating) in the kingdom of God's Son (the kingdom of our inheritance). The kingdom of God is all around us—in our homes, our families, our businesses—in sum, in everything that makes up our lives” (Expositor's Bible Commentary [Abridged Edition]: New Testament).

There is a reward, an inheritance, for our work for the Lord in the future. However, the benefits of our inheritance are in the here and now as we walk in the grace, the peace, and the joy of the Lord in our everyday life.

Dear God, thank You for the rewards and benefits of serving You. Help me to continue to work heartly for You. Let me be aware of Your grace, peace, and joy in everything I do. In Jesus name, Amen.

Written by Reenie Peppers