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Biblical Path to God as Delight and Reward

The biblical path to God is characterized by delight and reward, a journey rooted in divine initiative and culminating in intimate communion. This path is not merely a set of rules but an invitation to find profound joy and ultimate satisfaction in God himself [4, 7].

Access to God

Access to God is fundamentally a divine provision, not a human achievement. Scripture indicates that this access originates with God [2]. It is made possible through Christ, who is identified as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), and through whom believers have access to the Father [2]. The Holy Spirit also plays a crucial role, granting access to God [2]. This access is obtained through faith [2], and it follows reconciliation with God, as seen in Colossians 1:21-22, which speaks of believers being reconciled in Christ's body of flesh through death to present them holy and blameless before Him [2].

This privilege of drawing near to God is extended to saints, who are invited to approach with confidence to obtain mercy and grace [2]. The Psalmist declares, "It is good for me to draw near to God" (Psalm 73:28), an act that John Gill interprets as both honorable and pleasant, yielding delight and satisfaction [13]. This drawing near can occur in prayer, in God's temple, and in seeking mercy and grace [2].

Delighting in God

Delighting in God is a commanded experience for believers [4]. Psalm 37:4 explicitly states, "Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This delight is not a passive feeling but an active alignment with God's way in order to enjoy Him [20]. Reconciliation with God leads to this delight, as does observing the Sabbath [4]. Isaiah 58:13-14 connects delighting in the Sabbath with finding delight in the Lord and being fed with the heritage of Jacob [4]. The Babylonian Talmud further elaborates on this, stating that the reward for delighting in Shabbat is specifically the portion of Jacob, distinguishing it from the portions of Abraham or Isaac [10].

Saints experience delight in communion with God, in His law, in His goodness, and in His comforts [4]. Psalm 119:35 expresses this, "Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight" [3]. Conversely, hypocrites may pretend to delight in God but despise Him in their hearts [4]. Promises are made to those who genuinely delight in God, including blessedness [4].

The concept of delight extends to God's own disposition towards humanity. The Lord delights in the way of the righteous (Psalm 37:23), establishing their steps [5]. This reciprocal delight underscores the relational nature of the biblical path.

God as Reward

The ultimate reward for those who follow God's path is God Himself. Augustine famously articulated this, stating, "not for the sake of reward love God; let Him be the reward" [11]. He further explains that the enjoyment of God's beauty will be ever-present and satisfying, yet never fully satiated [11]. This echoes the Psalmist's desire to "dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, that I may behold the beauty of the Lord" (Psalm 27:4) [11].

The reward of the saints is from God, of grace through faith alone, and according to God's good pleasure [1]. It is not based on human merit [1]. This reward is prepared by God and by Christ [1]. Descriptions of this reward include being with Christ, beholding the face of God, beholding the glory of Christ, and being glorified with Christ [1]. Psalm 16:11 speaks of the "path of life," where in God's presence is "fullness of joy" and "pleasures forevermore" [7].

Augustine also connects eternal life, which is the recompense of a good life, with the grace of God, emphasizing that it is given gratuitously [18]. He sees God's declaration, "I will be their God, and they shall be my people," as the ultimate good and happiness [16]. Maimonides, in the Mishneh Torah, discusses the world to come as the reward for observing God's path, contrasting it with the retribution of karet (being cut off) for the wicked [14].

While eternal life is a reward, it is also understood as grace. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, acknowledges passages that describe eternal life as the reward of works, such as Romans 2:6-7 and Matthew 25:34-36, but these are understood within the broader framework of God's grace [15]. The happiness of saints in this life is also found in God, in the ways of wisdom, in the fear of God, trust in God, obedience, salvation, and hope in the Lord [6].

The Path of Righteousness

The path itself is described as a "holy road" (Isaiah 35:8), where no unclean person will pass, and even simple ones will not go astray [19]. This path is established by the Lord, who delights in the way of the righteous [5]. Those who are "undefiled in the way" are considered blessed, walking in the true way of life and salvation found in Jesus Christ [17]. This path requires self-denial, which, according to Calvin, diverts individuals from vain thoughts and vices like pride, avarice, and lust [12].

Praise is an integral part of this path, due to God on account of His majesty, glory, excellency, greatness, holiness, wisdom, power, goodness, mercy, and loving-kindness [8]. Christ is also worthy of praise, being glorified by it [8, 9]. This praise is acceptable through Christ [8].

The biblical path to God is thus a journey of grace, where access is granted through Christ and the Spirit, leading to a life of delight in God's commands and presence, and culminating in God Himself as the ultimate and eternal reward.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reward of Saints, The — Is from God -- Ro 2:7; Col 3:24; Heb 11:6. Is of grace, through faith alone -- Ro 4:4,5,16; 11:6. Is of God's good pleasure -- Mt 20:14,15; Lu 12:32. Prepared by God -- Heb 11:16. Prepared by Christ -- Joh 14:2. As servants of Christ -- Col 3:24. Not on account of their merits -- Ro 4:4,5. Described as Being with Christ. -- Joh 12:26; 14:3; Php 1:23; 1Th 4:17. Beholding the face of God. -- Ps 17:15; Mt 5:8; Re 22:4. Beholding the glory of Christ. -- Joh 17:24. Being glorified with Christ. -- Ro 8:17,18; Col 3:4; Php 3:21; 1Jo 3:2. Sitting in j”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
  3. Psalms “Psalms 119:35 (BSB) — Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight.”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Delighting In God — Commanded -- Ps 37:4. Reconciliation leads to -- Job 22:21,26. Observing the sabbath leads to -- Isa 58:13,14. Saints' experience in Communion with God. -- Song 2:3. The law of God. -- Ps 1:1; 119:24,35. The goodness of God. -- Ne 9:25. The comforts of God. -- Ps 94:19. Hypocrites Pretend to. -- Isa 58:2. In heart despise. -- Job 27:10; Jer 6:10. Promises to. -- Ps 37:4. Blessedness. -- Ps 112:1.”
  5. Psalms “Psalms 37:23 (NASB) — The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way.”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Happiness of Saints In This Life — Is in God -- Ps 73:25,26. Only found in the ways of wisdom -- Pr 3:17,18. Described by Christ in the beatitudes -- Mt 5:3-12. Is derived from Fear of God. -- Ps 128:1,2; Pr 28:14. Trust in God. -- Pr 16:20; Php 4:6,7. The words of Christ. -- Joh 17:13. Obedience to God. -- Ps 40:8; Joh 13:17. Salvation. -- De 33:29; Isa 12:2,3. Hope in the Lord. -- Ps 146:5. Hope of glory. -- Ro 5:2. God being their Lord. -- Ps 144:15. God being their help. -- Ps 146:5. Praising God. -- Ps 135:3. Their mutual love. -- Ps 133:1. Divine chastening. --”
  7. Psalms “You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more. -- Psalms 16:11”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Praise — God is worthy of -- 2Sa 22:4. Christ is worthy of -- Re 5:12. God is glorified by -- Ps 22:23; 50:23. Offered to Christ -- Joh 12:13. Acceptable through Christ -- Heb 13:15. Is due to God on account of His majesty. -- Ps 96:1,6; Isa 24:14. His glory. -- Ps 138:5; Eze 3:12. His excellency. -- Ex 15:7; Ps 148:13. His greatness. -- 1Ch 16:25; Ps 145:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11; Isa 6:3. His wisdom. -- Da 2:20; Jude 1:25. His power. -- Ps 21:13. His goodness. -- Ps 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jer 33:11. His mercy. -- 2Ch 20:21; Ps 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26. His loving-k”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
  10. Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 118b.1: on the inheritance of Jacob your father, as the mouth of God has spoken” (Isaiah 58:13–14). The reward for delighting in Shabbat is specifically the portion of Jacob. Not that of Abraham, about whom it is written, “Rise, walk through the land through its length and its width because I have given it to you” (Genesis 13:17), i.e., only this land alone in its borders. And not that of Isaac, about whom it is written, “Dwell in this land and I will be with you and I will bless you because I will give all of these lands to you and your offspring” (Genesis 26:3), me”
  11. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — TRACTATE III. (part 16): not for the sake of reward love God; let Him be the reward. Let thy soul say, "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, that I may behold the beauty of the Lord." Do not fear that thine enjoyment will fail through satiety: such will be that enjoyment of beauty that it will ever be present to thee, and thou shalt never be satisfied; indeed thou shalt be always satisfied, and yet never satisfied. For if I shall say that thou shalt not be sat”
  12. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 62: has learned to look to God in everything he does, is at the same time diverted from all vain thoughts. This is that self-denial which Christ so strongly enforces on his disciples from the very outset ( Mt. 16:24 ), which, as soon as it takes hold of the mind, leaves no place either, first, for pride, show, and ostentation; or, secondly, for avarice, lust, luxury, effeminacy, or other vices which are engendered by self love. On the contrary, wherever it reigns not, the foulest vices are indulged in without shame; or, if there is som”
  13. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 73:28: But it is good for me to draw near to God,.... In prayer, and other acts of religious worship; to attend the word and ordinances in the sanctuary, where the psalmist had lately been delivered out of a sore temptation, and so had a recent experience, which was fresh in his mind, of the advantages of such exercises; for it is both an honourable good, what is becoming and commendable, and a pleasant good, what yields delight and satisfaction, and a profitable good, to draw nigh to God by Christ, the new and living way, assisted by the Holy Spirit; which, when done arigh”
  14. Mishneh Torah (Maimonides) (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishneh Torah (Maimonides), Mishneh Torah%2C Repentance 9:1: [A question arises:] As explained, the reward for the mitzvot and the good which we will merit if we observe the path of God as prescribed by the Torah is the world to come as [Deuteronomy 2:7] states: "So that good will be granted you and you will live long.” [Also,] the retribution which is exacted from the wicked who abandon the paths of righteous prescribed by the Torah is karet as [Numbers 15:31] states: "This soul shall surely be cut off. His sin shall remain upon him." [If so,] what is the meaning of the [statements] made thro”
  15. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 73: man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory, and honor, and immortality, eternal life;” but “tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that does evil;” “They that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation;” “Come, ye blessed of my Father;” “For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink,” &c. To these we may add the passages which describe eternal 2120 life as the reward of work”
  16. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 37 [XXII.] --THE ETERNAL REWARD.: He then went on to state the reward: "I will be their God, and they shall be my people."(3) This corresponds to the Psalmist's words to God: "It is good for me to hold me fast by God."(10) "I will be," says God, "their God, and they shall be my people." What is better than this good, what happier than this happiness, --to live to God, to live from God, with whom [is the fountain of life, and in whose light we shall see light?(11) Of this life the Lord Himself speaks in these words: "This is life eternal that they ”
  17. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:1: ALEPH.--The First Part. ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way,.... Who are in the right way to heaven and happiness, which is Jesus Christ; the strait gate, and narrow way to eternal life; the only true way of life and salvation, in which way believers walk by faith. All out of this way are altogether become filthy; but all in this way are clean, even every bit: they are without spot and blemish, blameless and unreproveable, and without fault, before the throne of God and in his sight; being washed from their sins in the blood of the Lamb, and clothed with hi”
  18. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 20.--THE QUESTION ANSWERED. JUSTIFICATION IS GRACE SIMPLY AND ENTIRELY, ETERNAL LIFE IS REWARD AND GRACE. (part 2): is nothing else than God's grace, so also the eternal life which is the recompense of a good life is the grace of God; moreover it is given gratuitously, even as that is given gratuitously to which it is given. But that to which it is given is solely and simply grace; this therefore is also that which is given to it, because it is its reward;--grace is for grace, as if remuneration for righteousness; in order that it may be true, bec”
  19. Isaiah (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Isaiah 35:8: In the midst of such miracles, by which all nature is glorified, the people of Jehovah are redeemed, and led home to Zion. "And a highway rises there, and a road, and it will be called the Holy Road; no unclean man will pass along it, as it is appointed for them: whoever walks the road, even simple ones do not go astray. There will be no lion there, and the most ravenous beast of prey will not approach it, will not be met with there; and redeemed ones walk. And the ransomed of Jehovah will return, and come to Zion with shouting, and everlasting joy upon their h”
  20. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 37:4: 37:4 To take delight in the Lord means aligning with the Lord’s way in order to enjoy him.”
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