GOD's Just Recompense

As we study these Scriptures, think of the life of Jesus and how He lived.

What principle of justice should govern us in our dealings with one another?
"Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it." Prov. 3:27.

What general rule of recompense is given in the Scriptures?
"Judge not, that ye be not judged, for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." Matt. 7:1, 2.

Should one, in any case, render evil for evil?
"Recompense to no man evil for evil." Rom. 12:17. "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but contrariwise, blessing." 1 Peter 3:9.

What is said of those who render evil for good?
"Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house." Prov. 17:13.

Will all men be rewarded irrespective of character?
"Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner." Prov. 11:31.

Will each man's work be fully brought to light and tested?
"Every man's work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire: and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is." 1 Cor. 3:13.

Will partiality be shown in decisions rendered?
"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Gen. 18:25.
"Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne; mercy and truth shall go before thy face. Ps. 89:14. "Who will render to every man according to his deeds;" "for there is no
respect of persons with God." Rom. 2:6, 11.

May we not in reality decide for ourselves what our recompense shall be?
"See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil." Deut. 30:15. "Thus saith the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death." Jer. 21:8.

Will the cases of any be overlooked in the judgment?
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor.
5:10.

What shall determine the nature of the reward in each case?
"Be not deceived: God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal. 6:7.

What is the harvest of the wrong doer.
"For he that soweth to his flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption." Gal. 6:8. "Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil." Rom. 2:9.

What shall be the recompense of the righteous?
"But he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Gal. 6:8. "But glory, honor, and peace to every man that worketh good." Rom. 2:10.

This scripture brings to view the cases of all as decided forever, and the time when it
is accomplished.
"He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly." Rev. 22:11, 12.

Then with what force is this "just recompense" brought home to each heart?
"For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" Heb. 2:2, 3.

These scriptures tell us that there is a time coming when our character is "sealed" and it is no longer changeable. (Rev. 21: 11,12) We can be sure that this happens now when one dies. This scripture says that there is a time coming when the living will be "sealed" so that if they are holy then they will be holy still, but if they be evil then they will be evil still. God wants to save us and He also wants to reproduce His character in us, if we will let Him. Let us pray that each of us will let God accomplish this work in us.