Your Reward ~ Christ JESUS Himself for all eternity...

"Let no man beguile you of your reward." —Colossians 2:18 [KJV]

There is a present reward of grace enjoyed in the hearts of the faithful, which consists in pardon of sin, peace of conscience, and joy in the Holy Ghost. These are the rewards of Jesus' toils and sufferings for us. Since an artful and subtle serpent hath gained access to the human heart, we can never be warned too much to beware of men. Satan deceived man at the beginning by means of part of himself. He still beguiles men by man. Though the adversary cannot pluck one of Christ's sheep out of his hands, nor rob the loving Saviour of one of the precious jewels of His mediatorial crown, still we are to consider him as a restless, implacable foe, who will strive by all means to perplex and distress our souls. Has Jehovah Jesus appeared to us in the vision of faith? Hath He spoke to our trembling hearts in HIS WORD and by His Spirit, as He did to the father of the faithful? [i.e., Abraham]. "Fear not, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."—Genesis 5:1. Like the racers in the Olympic games, we must expect false judges, corrupted umpires, who will judge against us; determine the prize contrary to our faith and hope in free-grace promises and sovereign determinations.

They will judge against the truth and glory of our prize, as though we were not complete in Christ Jesus; as though we were not wise by His wisdom; righteous by His righteousness; holy by His holiness; perfectly redeemed from all sin, curse and wrath, by His complete redemption; but that somewhat is to be found and trusted to in nature and self, to entitle us to God's grace, and secure to us a crown of glory. Blessed admonition! "Let no man beguile you," judge against you, ye free-born, heaven-born souls, concerning the perfect freeness, and infinite fulness of your prize, your reward, Jesus. For by this they would weaken your faith, disturb your peace, and oppose your comfort. So they would beguile you to run uncertainly; as though your hopes were suspended on your own faithfulness to grace, your fulfilling terms and conditions, whereby to secure the prize. Ever reject such selfish, mercenary, base, compounding notions with detestation; as contrary to covenant love and gospel grace; dishonoring to our precious Saviour, and grieving to the holy, sovereign Spirit, who bears witness, that "there is a remnant according to the election of grace;" that the prize is adjudged to them "...by grace, not of works; otherwise grace is no more grace: but if it be of works, then it is no more of grace; otherwise work is no more work." —Romans 11:5, 6. 

 

Firm as the earth Thy gospel stands, 

My Lord, my hope, my trust; 

If I am found in Jesus' hands, 

My soul can ne'er be lost.

His honor is engag'd to save 

The meanest of His sheep; 

All that His heav'nly Father gave 

His hands securely keep.

 

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)