Our identity and our role

But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ - Philippians 3:20

So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. - 2 Corinthians 5:20

All these died in faith [guided and sustained by it], without receiving the [tangible fulfilment of God’s] promises, only having seen (anticipated) them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. - Hebrews 11:13

 These passages seem to pit themselves against a large proportion of evangelical teaching, preaching and literature that is geared toward making us more at home in this world.

You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. - James 4:4

If you address as Father, the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in [reverent] fear [of Him] and with profound respect for Him throughout the time of your stay on earth. Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges [those dishonourable desires] that wage war against the soul. - 1 Peter 1:17; 2:11

 We must not become too much at home in this world or we'll become useless to our true kingdom.

Our earthly bodies are called tents, temporary dwelling places for our eternal soul. Paul contrasts our brief time on earth with what he regarded as the real life, of which this is but a foreshadow --

For while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened [often weighed down, oppressed], not that we want to be unclothed [separated by death from the body], but to be clothed, so that what is mortal [the body] will be swallowed up by life [after the resurrection]. - 2 Corinthians 5:4

Here is what it means to be a pilgrim --

By faith Abraham, when he was called [by God], obeyed by going to a place which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went, not knowing where he was going.  By faith he lived as a foreigner in the promised land, as in a strange land, living in tents [as nomads] with Isaac and Jacob, who were fellow heirs of the same promise.  For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has foundations, [an eternal, heavenly city] whose architect and builder is God. - Hebrews 11:8-10

 Abraham didn't know where he was going, but he knew with whom he was going.  Some of the greatest Old Testament saints were those who ultimately saw beyond the temporal to the eternal becoming models for faith --

All these died in faith [guided and sustained by it], without receiving the [tangible fulfilment of God’s] promises, only having seen (anticipated) them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Now those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own.  And if they had been thinking of that country from which they departed [as their true home], they would have had [a continuing] opportunity to return.  But the truth is that they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. For that reason God is not ashamed [of them or] to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob]; for He has prepared a city for them. - Hebrews 11:13-16

Because they lived on earth in light of their fixation on heaven - God was not ashamed of them.

Moses also lived with an acute awareness of the eternal --

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 because he preferred to endure the hardship of the people of God rather than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.26 He considered the reproach of the [a]Christ [that is, the rebuke he would suffer for his faithful obedience to God] to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt; for he looked ahead to the reward [promised by God]. 27 By faith he left Egypt, being unafraid of the wrath of the king; for he endured [steadfastly], as seeing Him who is unseen. - Hebrews 11:24-27

 Moses could let all of these pleasures and possessions go because how could they measure up to those anticipated pleasures and possessions that would last forever.




Bible Verses about Our Identity in Christ

Four Ways Our Identity in Christ Changes Our Lives

Two eternal judgments

The Bible teaches two eternal judgments, one for unbelievers and one for believers.  All believers will enter into new life because of their faith in Christ.  All unbelievers will fail the judgment of their faith in Christ since their names are not written in the Book of Life. 

Scripture repeatedly states that all will be judged for their works.

Scripture teaches with unmistakable clarity that all believers in Christ will give an account of their lives to their Lord.  We will be judged by Him according to our works, both good and bad. The result of this will be the gain or loss of eternal rewards.

Scripture presents it as a monumental event in which things of eternal significance are brought to light and things of eternal consequence are put into effect.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of[a]witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us - Hebrews 12:1

God wants us to have eternal rewards - and He has given us every resource in Christ to live the godly life that will result in those eternal rewards.





What Does the Bible Say About Eternal Judgment?

Eternal Judgment

44 Bible Verses about Eternal Judgment

God’s Righteous Judgment

Two Judgments

Connecting giving and treasure

Jesus unmistakably connects giving with providing treasure...

“Sell your possessions (show compassion) and give [donations] to the poor. Provide money belts for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing and inexhaustible treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. - Luke 12:33

 Hence, eternal rewards are not only rewards we will receive in eternity, but rewards that are themselves eternal, imperishable, inexhaustible.

Moses prayed the oldest psalm -

And let the [gracious] favor of the Lord our God be on us;Confirm for us the work of our hands—Yes, confirm the work of our hands. - Psalm 90:17

The literal translation is "make permanent the work of our hands."

Why do you believe the word 'treasure' in Matthew 6 refers specifically to money and possessions?