A very encouraging insight dawned on me in one of my recent quiet times that has gripped me for several days. This could be a game-changing perspective for you as it was for me.
The Spirit inspired Paul to repeat one basic thought three times in Colossians 3. Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV) If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. In verse 4 he refers to the reward for having done so. Colossians 3:17 (ESV) And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [with a heart set on things above], giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV) Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord [with a heart set on things above] and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Did you notice the focus was not on what was done but why it was done? The qualifier was that the efforts were motivated from having one’s mind set on things above or unto Christ. Could that be saying that in His eyes whatever work driven by that motivation will result in the same inheritance as your reward. Meditate for a moment on that. I believe He is saying here the most important thing is NOT the work itself but our motivation that flows from our attention being riveted on things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Have you felt or imagined that those doing the big or important things will get the more impressive rewards? I’ve sometimes felt that my reward will be small compared to those who influence more people or give more time or dollars than I am able to give. But that is NOT what the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write. He is saying the invalid who prays or gives; the child who shows His love to others; the minister’s wife who must remain at home with the children; the usher, the sound or light technician, the secretary, the grounds keeper can all receive the same great inheritance. It doesn’t really make any difference if you are a minister of a big church or small, city or rural, in a beautiful or desolate place, in the states or out of the states; the reward is not based on your performance but on the attitude of your heart towards God as you do it. In that light, the person who pastors a church or does a job that doesn’t fit them, may be doing it as a sacrifice of obedience unto the Lord in contrast to someone who is working for the sheer pleasure of the work.
For me, Paul’s emphasis upon focusing my mind on things above is really another way of telling me I need to see myself being in Christ (Col. 1:2, 28), seated on the right hand of the Father, then committing to do everything from that perspective! Contrasting that thought with the view of me doing the work with Christ “in me” (Col. 1:27), it brings to light a different perspective and nuance in motivation and responsibility. When we only focus only on the “Christ in me” truth, we essentially remain in the driver’s seat and therefore control what we will allow the “Christ in me” to do. But when we see ourselves as being “in Him”, seated in the heavenlies, we are like a baby in a mother’s tummy with no control over what is done. Seeing our self that way forces us to relinquish the control of whatever we might do unto Him—as well as the angst and stress!
What a great relief it is to know I am not responsible for making whatever I do unto the Lord effective. It is the responsibility of the Author and Finisher of all of it, and I end up receiving some of the “glory” plus a great reward for having worked with Him! How does that truth affect you?