The payoff

https://odb.org/2024/10/20/the-payoff

When we think about the payoff for our faith, we inevitably look to the present and the natural. In fact, this is how most believers pitch the Gospel, that Jesus will transform our lives for the better. Jesus will heal us. God will break bondages and the shackles of sin. The deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt is a picture of how God brings us from a life of slavery in the world to a life of freedom and victory in the Promised Land. From living under the rulership of the ruler of the world to the kingdom of God where we live in the centre of the will of God for our lives. On earth, the best place to be is the place where we are fulfilling God’s plans and purposes for our lives. The kingdom of God is where His children are living in His will, wherever we are is the kingdom of heaven.

The promise of a better and more fulfilling life is premised on one of the fundamental teachings of Jesus Christ recorded in Matthew 6:33 NKJV:

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

As Solomon in all his wealth and grandeur and wisdom concluded in Ecclesiastes, everything is meaningless unless we have God, Jesus teaches that if we seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness first, all these things shall be added unto you. On top of a place in eternity in the new heaven and new earth in Eden recreated, we will have an abundant life here on earth too! A life lived with God and Jesus as our Lord. Will a father give you a snake if you ask for a fish? Luke 11:11-13. Surely God will not give you a horrendous and difficult life if you are His child? We will not escape the daily struggles of life that everyone goes through by becoming believers, but we will have the Holy Spirit and Jesus going through life with us. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you!

The payoff will thus be here on earth as well in heaven. The goodness of God and His grace and mercies and blessings will follow us for the rest of our days as we dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever.

Have a great time worshipping God today! Let’s give Him all glory and celebrate His goodness in church today! He deserves all honour, glory, and worship! Amen!