Pam Padgett ... teacher
In a vision God gave to Isaiah regarding Judah and Jerusalem, He spoke
of how they had once been faithful, full of judgment and righteousness.
But they had turned from God and His ways ....
Isaiah 1:21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of
judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. 22 Thy silver
is become dross, thy wine mixed with water: 23 Thy princes are
rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
It stood out to me that one of the ways they had
corrupted themselves was by every one of them loving gifts and following
after rewards. When we love and follow after gifts and rewards from other people, we can be easily corrupted, turning from God and going in the way man desires
in order to gain these.
While thinking about this, I was reminded that, although our flesh desires things of this world, these things are of no real worth. For good and perfect gifts come only from God
...
James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth
temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life,
which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say
when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with
evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he
is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath
conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth
forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and
every perfect
gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with
whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
If we endure temptation, refusing to go in the way of fleshly lusts because we love God, we will
receive
the reward of the crown of life promised by God.
Paul told us that he sought an incorruptible crown as he served God on this earth,
purposefully doing according to the will of God, fighting to
keep the faith, and not allowing lusts of the flesh to pull him away
from the way set before him by God ...
1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run
all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And
every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now
they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I
therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that
beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into
subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I
myself should be a castaway.
And when Paul neared the end of his life on this earth, he spoke of the
crown of righteousness that was laid up for him and for all who love God, having kept the faith and finished the work given for them
to do ...
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my
departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give
me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his
appearing.
Strongly desiring and following after gifts and rewards from man turns us to man, and away from God.
But gifts and rewards from God are found in the way God has set before
us, loving Him above all and doing according to His will. These rewards are
incorruptible and last for eternity.