Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky – John Lennon

 

My natural cynicism boils over sometimes. Today, for some reason, is one of those moments. I just listened to a well-intentioned devotion based on Galatians 6:9 “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.”

Now, who am I to argue with scripture? However, I am going to take issue the interpretation some apply to this verse. I have no problem with the first part of the verse, “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right.” I appreciate the challenge to strive to do what is right. My issue is with the motivation to do what is right. Why can’t we do what is right for the sake of doing what is right without the incentive of a reward?

Why can’t we practice justice without the promise of a heavenly reward? Why can’t we love God with our whole self, apart from the anticipation of a place in celestial glory?

If Paul is challenging us to encourage persons to faith for the joy of their salvation, that is commendable. Sadly, in the devotion I just heard, the speaker kept emphasizing doing what is right for the sake of reward.

Let’s reflect on the words of John Lennon. Can we continue to do good, strive for excellence, live justly, love God and our neighbor without the promise of heaven or the threat of hell? Don’t condemn me yet.

Let’s just focus on our motivation for doing what is right. I want to suggest that those who profess faith in Christ do good works, practice justice, love God and neighbor because that is what Jesus taught and modeled.

A number of years ago I was involved in a school fundraising project. The purpose was to purchase computers for classroom use. I was stunned by the number of parents who would not let their children participate unless they received a reward. Hmmm. New computers for classroom instruction was not a reward in and of itself?

But sometimes I am not much different. I expect to be honored and thanked for doing the right thing. I live in the expectation that God will reward me with an extra star in my crown because I served someone without the expectation of being rewarded for my effort. Sadly, the mere thought of reward entering my mind defeats the gift of service.

I believe that someday I will see the face of God. Not as a reward for doing the right thing, but because of faith in God’s Son.

In the meantime, as I walk this tawdry broken world, I will strive to live into the admonition of Micah 6:8:

He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

and what does the LORD require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?