Matthew 10:42 Commentary and Bible Study

Christ descends still further down the scale of good works to take account of the smallest acts of righteousness – even these will not be overlooked by the Lord. It is the same point; it is a principle of justice. Even for giving a cup of cold water there will be a reward, and God will make sure that reward is not lost. But if the reward cannot be lost, then neither can the person being rewarded be lost, for there are no rewards in hell. Whatever that reward is, it will be given in heaven. But that means that between the time when this cup of cold water is given and the time when we leave this world, we cannot lose our salvation. Scripture is always consistent with itself. Who are ‘these little ones’? Christ has moved beyond the apostles now; this is a true believer, but not one of any great consequence – it could literally be a little child, a believing child. Nevertheless this little one is loved by God and he observes every act of kindness between his people. What is crucial is the motive – the water is given because the one receiving it belongs to Christ. It is treated by the Lord as an act of kindness to himself, and by the Father as an act of kindness to himself. Of course, there is in the giver an understanding of what is a true Christian, even if he is mistaken in this particular case. The promise tells us about God’s detailed knowledge of all that takes place in the earth. Even the most insignificant act is known to him. Furthermore, it tells us that God does not simply observe the outward act, but searches the heart in everything we do. He distinguishes between something done by compulsion and something motivated by kindness and in faith. And how can it not be so? How can he know less about what we do than we do ourselves, and we certainly know our own motive.