Matthew 10:40-42
Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
In reading a book about B.B. Warfield this morning (10/21/19), I came across the preceding verse with the following application...
If a person receives a prophet, they are treated as though they are in cahoots with the prophet - that is, you will get coming to you what the prophet you permitted entrance had coming to them. Same goes for a righteous person. If you host a righteous person, you are yoking yourself to their righteousness and as such will receive a reward in keeping with what they deserve.
This principle applies first and foremost to our salvation. When we receive Jesus, we receive the reward due Him. His perfect life has earned eternal life by fulfilling God's Law as Adam ought to have done.
Our standing before God is in keeping with those we receive.
If we receive Jesus, then we receive what Jesus earned and what Jesus had coming to Him, which is intimacy and fellowship with God the Father forever.
Imagine if you stood to gain the reward of whomever you allowed into your home. Conversely, imagine you stood to inherit the problems of whomever you welcomed through your doors. Would that change who you let into your home? Who you send invitations to? Are there things you allow into your home now you wouldn't if you knew letting them meant receiving what they deserved? Are there invitations you need to send if you are going to receive any righteousness?
When we open our doors, we receive our guest's rewards.
No comments:
Post a Comment