The Orthodox Heretic: The Last Trial

This tale is about someone who dies and is suddenly at their final judgment. Soon they are standing in front of an imposable figure who identifies himself as Lucifer. He tells the person that he has overthrown God and banished Christ to eternal death. He is the one who holds the keys to the kingdom and decides who will be able to enter the kingdom. All the person has to do to enter the kingdom is to bow down before him. If they refuse they will be banished with Christ for all of eternity. Lucifer then asks the person, "which will you choose?"

In light of this tale we are to think about faith and what its rewards might be. Is the reward of faith only what we might gain in the end? Or is there a reward wrapped up in living out our faith in the present life? This question has been debated within evangelicalism for the past few years. I personally don't think that we can discount the reward in the end, but that should not dominate the mission we are called to in the here and now. I hope that we can begin to learn that we have a reward in the here and now because in my opinion I think we in the church have a hard time accepting that fact. Grant us the grace O Lord!