What Do You Have Coming?

“Make no mistake: In the end you get what's coming to you”

Romans 2:6 - MSG

Once upon a time, the message of mainstream religion was what we used to call “Hellfire and Brimstone.” It was a season in the church as a whole when “damnation” was preached from pulpits across the land. Religion presented a performance-based standard of acceptance: you had better be good enough, or else.

Then things changed into what I like to call “Sloppy Agape,” where we could do whatever we wanted because God loves us regardless of what we do.

Neither extreme is right.

But there is a truth in today’s verse that should cause every one of us to take an honest look at the person in the mirror.

Romans 2:6 states that God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” This is not, however, a reason to try harder to be good enough for God. No, it means that God judges every person fairly and impartially. He sees beyond our religious labels, our outward appearances, and the things we want others to believe about us. He sees the reality of how we have actually lived our lives.

Hmm... It still sounds a bit critical and judgmental, doesn’t it?

Let’s break it down and take a closer look. After all, we want to live a life pleasing to the Lord, so let’s see what God is really saying to us today.

First of all, God does not show favoritism. He doesn't judge people according to their social status, background, accomplishments, or religious label. Every individual receives a just evaluation based on the reality of their lives. But this does not contradict salvation by grace alone. There is an important distinction we need to understand:

Our works are not the root of our salvation; they are the fruit of our salvation.

As true followers of Jesus Christ, our actions and deeds become the visible evidence of what is truly happening in our hearts. The things we do don't earn God's love or purchase our salvation. Instead, they reveal whether we have truly trusted Him and allowed His grace to change us.

Our lives eventually reveal what is in our hearts.

So where does this leave us in today’s reflection? If God is going to judge us according to what we have done, how should we live? Let’s err on the side of caution, so to speak. Let’s answer the question: How can we please God?

Love.

Love is at the heart of everything God desires for us. Jesus reduced the law to what I like to call “The Big Two” — love God and love others. Love God with all your heart. Love the people He has placed around you. Love when it's easy. Love when it's inconvenient. Love when you receive nothing in return. Love even when it costs you something.

And here's the important part: We don't love God and others so that God will love us. We love God and others because His love has already changed us.

That's the difference between religion and relationship. Religion says, “Do good so God will accept you.” Grace says, “Because God has accepted you through Christ, let His love now become evident in the way you live.”

That's why our actions matter.  Not because we are trying to earn our way into God's favor, but because the life we live becomes the fruit of the relationship we have with Him.

So... what do you have coming? That question may sound frightening at first. But for the person who has placed their trust in Christ, it doesn't have to be. We aren't trying to earn God's love. We aren't trying to become good enough. We are simply allowing the grace we've received to become visible in the way we live.

And when that love becomes the fruit of a life surrendered to Christ, what we have coming is not something to fear. It is something to look forward to. One day, we want to hear those words every faithful believer longs to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

So perhaps the question isn't simply, “What do I have coming?” Maybe the better question is: “What am I allowing God to produce in my life today?” Because someday, what is happening in our hearts will be revealed in the life we have lived. And when that day comes, may the fruit of our lives tell the story of a heart that learned to love God and love others.

Prayer

Father, thank You for reminding us that what truly matters is the life we live before You and the love we show to those around us. Thank You that we don't have to earn Your love or work our way into Your favor. Your grace has already been given to us through Christ.

Keep our hearts soft, our motives pure, and our actions aligned with Your truth. Teach us to choose love when it’s easy and when it’s costly. Help us walk humbly, serve willingly, and honor You in the quiet, unseen places of our daily lives.

Let the grace we have received become evident in the way we live. May the fruit of our lives reflect the work You are doing within us and bring You joy.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen…

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