105. God's justice to the saints.

Not only is God just unto himself in demanding an accounting for unpunished sin that he had forgiven earlier and not only is he just unto Christ, seeing to it that his sacrifice is not dishonored by any (Hebrews 10:29) but is acknowledged by all (Philippians 2:9-11), he also sees to it that those who have believed in Him and his Christ, will not be deprived of justice and that they will not go unrewarded. "Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice and quickly." (Luke 18:7-8) Rewards too, are his justice to the saints but first, he will ask for an accounting from us. The 'parable of the talents' says: "After a longtime the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them."( Matthew 25:19) 'So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.' (Romans 14:12) It is therefore to do justice that God demands an accounting of everything that we did or said. It's dreadful to know that every word we have said will be accounted for! "I tell you that men will have to give account on that day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned."(Matthew 12:36-37) Not only those who have spoken deceptively but also those who misused funds meant for the Gospel, will have to account for every penny! We read in the 'parable of the shrewd manger', that he was asked to account for his management because he was accussed of wasting his master's possessions. (Luke 16:1-2) However, it is assuring to know that whatever we gave in him name, has been accounted for; 'even a cup of cold water' given to one of his little ones because he was his disciple, will not go unrewarded. (Matthew 10:52) How much more can we be assured that the time, money and energy we spent on Christ's behalf, will certainly be rewarded! 'Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.' (1 Corinthians 15:58) ' ... each will be rewarded according to his own labour.'(3:8) Amen