Now, why is this definition of success so urgent? Keep reading: "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire" (v. 19). What is this "fire"? Let's review briefly the word of God on the subject.

A judgment day is coming for every person who has ever lived and ever will: "Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).

Who will judge us? "We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10).

When will this "final exam" occur? "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him" (Matthew 25:31-32), and he will judge them.

What will happen? Revelation 20:11-15 is the setting. Here, first our relationship with Christ will be judged from the "book of life" (v. 12a).

Moses said to God: "Please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written." The Lord replied, "Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book" (Exodus. 32:32-33).

God has your name in his book, and must "blot it out" if you choose to reject his free salvation in Christ. When you die without Christ, God is forced to remove your name from his book of life, and you'll be "thrown into the lake of fire."

Scripture is very clear: "Nothing impure will ever enter [heaven], nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life" (Revelation. 21:27).

But if you have accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, your name will be there forever. Jesus said to his disciples, "Rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10.20). Paul addressed the Philippian Christians as "my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life" (Philippians 4:3).

Then the other book is opened, the "book of works," and we are judged according to what we have done (v. 12b). Here, all unconfessed sin is judged by God.

Secret sins will be judged: "God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil" (Ecclesiastes. 12:14). Jesus confirms it: "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs" (Luke 12.2-3).

Our words will be judged: "I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken" (Matthew. 12:36-37).

After listing all sorts of unconfessed sin, Peter declared that those who do such things "will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead" (1 Peter 4:5).

What will happen to them? "His work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work…If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames" (1 Corinthians 3:13, 15).

Ungodly, unconfessed sins, thoughts, or words will be revealed at the judgment and burned away. Because heaven is perfect, these things cannot enter in; they must be burned off, destroyed. Sin is forgiven, but reward is lost.

That's the bad news. Here's the good news: the "good fruit," all work done for the glory of God, will be recognized by heaven and rewarded by God.

When we pay a price to follow Jesus, we receive the "crown of life": "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12). Jesus said, "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).

When we share our faith, we receive the "soul-winner's crown": "What is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy" (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).

When we stay faithful to God for a lifetime, we receive the "crown of righteousness": "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

When we lead others faithfully we receive the "crown of glory": "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away" (1 Peter 5:2-4).

Enduring temptation; winning souls; staying faithful to God's purpose; serving God's people in love—these lead to rewards which will last forever. They can be yours. But you must choose them now.