Pursuing God's Reward (2 Timothy 4:6-8; LD 24)

Introduction

If salvation is by grace and our good works do not earn our redemption, what motivates us to live faithfully for Christ? Scripture speaks openly about rewards, crowns, and even Christ repaying his people for what they have done.At first glance, this can seem to conflict with the Protestant conviction that we are saved by grace alone. 

The answer is not to deny the biblical language of rewards, but to understand how those rewards are given. We do not merit God’s favor, but we receive these rewards by grace (LD 24).If it is by grace, then what can these rewards be? Why would we work for Christ if these rewards are freely given to us? 

Our Blessings Are Established, Not Earned

The standard for earning God's blessing through our own works would be nothing less than perfection. There is no acceptable margin of error before a perfectly holy God. If we were to stand before him on the basis of our works, even our best efforts would fall short.  The problem is that even our best works are stained by sin.  

This helps us understand Paul's confidence at the end of his life. When he says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) he is not boasting that he has accumulated enough merit to purchase his crown. His confidence rests in the faithfulness of God and the finished work of Christ.  He has kept the faith, not the works. 

Paul knows that his departure is near, yet he can face death with peace because his salvation does not rest upon his own performance. His hope is established in Christ.  This is why Paul is confident that God will rescue him from every evil deed. (2 Timothy 4:18).

Our Rewards Are Given by Grace

It is true that Scripture does speak about God rewarding his people.  We have to deal with that language. Christ speaks of treasures in heaven, Paul looks forward to a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8) , and Scripture repeatedly teaches that God sees and remembers the works of his people.

But these rewards are not wages that sinners independently earn. They are rewards of grace.

When God calls attention to our good works, he is ultimately displaying what his grace has accomplished in them. These are not works that sinful people can or will produce by their own will.  These works will only come by the Holy Spirit’s power.  

Paul's description of himself as being “poured out as a drink offering” (2 Timothy 4:6) illustrates this beautifully. His suffering does not add to Christ's atoning sacrifice. Christ's work is complete. Paul's life and suffering simply demonstrate the sweetness and effectiveness of Christ's finished work.

Therefore, when God crowns his people, he is not rewarding autonomous human achievement. He is crowning the work of his grace that produces the visible fruit. 

We Are Called to Fight the Good Fight of Faith

Many people assume that if the rewards are given by grace, then we are not motivated to work.  However, grace does not make Christians careless or passive. The opposite is true. Because we have been united to Christ, we now desire to live for him.  People who do not have grace will not desire to live for Christ even a little bit. 

Paul tells Timothy to preach the Word, endure suffering, remain sober-minded, evangelize, and fulfill his ministry. Timothy is not told to earn a greater reward. He is ex