Recompense is not a word we frequently use. The concept is everywhere in the Bible with these synonyms: amends, compensation, indemnification, indemnity, quittance, redress, reprisal, and restitution. Luke 14:14 is giving a lesson for hosts with, “and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous”. We do a ton of things that should go unrecognized and, seemingly, unrewarded because keeping score is a challenge. We do it. I gave a small gift last night and the recipient set it aside unopened. I hope she liked it but what I really want to know is that it did not get lost. I won’t ask but I’ll wonder. Yes I like getting proper ‘credit’. There is a score card in my mind and I have difficulty turning it off. I know it is better to give than to receive but I still want to give and ‘get’ the credit for being ‘thoughtful’. How shallow is that? In 2 Cor 5:7-10, in summary, …because we walk by faith and not by sight we are of good courage…and we have an ambition to please Him because we will all appear at the judgement to be recompensed for our deeds done on earth – whether good or bad… Did you know that it is a concept in Islam that there is a good angel and an opposing bad angel on our shoulders who keep score? It is more complex than that but an adopted concept by many who are unaware of the source. It is not true and it is not in God’s text. There is forgiveness through Christ or we carry our load to hell. There is no score card. “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God”, 2 Cor 5:18-20. I think people want recompense and God offers reconciliation. We have a math story-problem in mind and He forgives without a scorecard. Think of Jonah’s disappointment that Ninevah was let off the hook when he wanted a score. See – we can never make amends for our human propensity to counter God’s better plans. We fail and God continues to rescue those who harm Him.
