Conjecture: Bad Bird Gets the Worm

Let's admit it, generally guys are looking for the inviting girls, and, darn it, girls look for the inviting guys. The thief gets the money. The guilty judge gets the bribe. The cheater gets the grade. If they don't get caught... and for a lot of the little things or the bad things done right, they do get away... and they get away with that lovely reward and a clean conscious because they probably don't have one anymore. What on Earth is there to keep us from doing evil? If it is all about avoiding trouble, well, just learn how to do bad right, because doing good won't keep you out much better. Read some stories about Christians in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, China and that'll prove that.

Well here's something new, if you want the reward anytime in your lifetime, that might not happen. There is really no guarantee. In fact, there is a greater chance of reaping the joys of doing what's right if you except that and change your priorities accordingly than if you try to get it immediately. A great part of the joy and hope that comes from believing in Jesus comes from What Is To Come... not on Earth but afterwards. So when all falls down and nothing seems to go right, we can still be joyful and let go because the things of this world aren't permanent, but our actions for God, our family in Christ, our love is all eternal in heaven, just as His love and mercy and company is eternal even on this Earth. There are actually verses in the Bible where we find the promises of rewards for our actions.

 A lot of people live under the impression that we do good to avoid the bad consequences of doing bad. Although that can in the long term be true, a lot of bad actions come out with great rewards. And also, for practical people, if it were all on earth, if that's all there is, for goodness sakes there is more joy in just throwing in the towel and following what we want. There is pain, but it is just as much as when we are doing good. So??? What now?

There is something more... and it is easy to forget because in certain circles it is not talked about a lot. But its right here in the Bible:


James 1:12 ESV 
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Matthew 16:27 ESV
"For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done."

Matthew 6:1-34 are great verses to read about promises and Jesus' also talks about the reward of people who do good for show... "Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward."
So there are promises! And God won't forget, which can honestly be a bit frightening when I think about all the opportunities I could have taken to expand God's kingdom just by saying "hi" but was too shy.

To sum it all up. Doing what is right is not just about avoiding what is bad. Because sometimes, if that's all it is, its not hard to say that the bad consequences are worth it compared to the pain and hardship of doing what is right over the little things, like respecting one's body or not going with the flow. Doing what is right isn't just a defense against evil, it is an offense to expand the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 28:19-20 
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

Mark 16:15 
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

And we can have faith that:

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.- 2 Peter 3:9