Reward of Grace
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pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by
works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith
the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for
righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned
of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on
Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
Romans 4:1-5
. Therefore there is no occasion for one to glory over
“The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be
given thee of the Lord God of Israel.” Ruth 2:12. “Verily
there is a reward for the righteous.”
Psalm 58:11
. “To
him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.”
Proverbs 11:18
.
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another or to grudge against another. No one is privileged above
another, nor can anyone claim the reward as a right.
The first and the last are to be sharers in the great, eternal reward,
and the first should gladly welcome the last. He who grudges the
reward to another forgets that he himself is saved by grace alone.
The parable of the laborers rebukes all jealousy and suspicion. Love
rejoices in the truth and institutes no envious comparisons. He who
possesses love compares only the loveliness of Christ and his own
imperfect character.
This parable is a warning to all laborers, however long their service,
however abundant their labors, that without love to their brethren,
without humility before God, they are nothing. There is no religion
in the enthronement of self. He who makes self-glorification his aim
will find himself destitute of that grace which alone can make him
efficient in Christ’s service. Whenever pride and self-complacency are
indulged, the work is marred.
It is not the length of time we labor but our willingness and fidelity
in the work that makes it acceptable to God. In all our service a full
surrender of self is demanded. The smallest duty done in sincerity and
self-forgetfulness is more pleasing to God than the greatest work when
marred with self-seeking. He looks to see how much of the spirit of
Christ we cherish, and how much of the likeness of Christ our work
reveals. He regards more the love and faithfulness with which we work
than the amount we do.