The Most Important Graduation Ceremonies

I love attending the graduation ceremonies at our Answers Academy Christian school and seeing the children graduate from their classes. And what a blessing to hear those graduating from their senior year give testimony as to how they have been equipped to be an effective witness for the Lord as they continue to pursue their education or a job.

There’s nothing more important for any of us than that we trust Christ for salvation.

I’ve actually given a number of talks at graduation ceremonies in Christian schools or commencement addresses at Christian colleges over the years. Whenever I have done this, I have always emphasized the importance of standing boldly on the absolute authority of God’s Word and doing all they can to reach people with the truth of God’s Word and the message of salvation. After all, there’s nothing more important for any of us than that we trust Christ for salvation.

As I was thinking about this, it brought to mind two of what we could call “graduation ceremonies” that are the most important for us to participate in.

The first such graduation would be when we hear the words like those in the parable of the 10 talents/minas (which is about Jesus entrusting us with talents/resources and us faithfully using those to invest in the kingdom): “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:23 LSB). For those who have repented of their sin and trusted Jesus Christ for salvation, those are the words we want to hear when we graduate to heaven!

I also thought of this passage:

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident, for the day will indicate it because it is revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:12–15)

Yes, the Christian’s works will be judged by fire one day. Some have works like wood, hay, or stubble, and these works will be burned up. Nonetheless, these Christians will be saved, but they may not receive rewards.

Sadly, I think there will be many “smelly” believers in heaven—those who are saved but whose works are not like gold or silver or precious stones. Rather, their works are like hay and are thus burned up, in a sense, leaving the smell of fire and smoke on them. This is a reminder that we are to use the talents and resources God has entrusted us with to diligently invest in the kingdom until Jesus comes back or we go to meet him upon our death.

The second graduation Christians look forward to is when we are all at the marriage supper of the Lamb.

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” (Revelation 19:7–9)

Wow! What a graduation to look forward to, when believers (the true church) celebrate the union of Christ and his bride—his redeemed people! As you think about students graduating this month, search your heart to determine if you know you will one day graduate to heaven and be at that graduation when the bride of Christ is united with him forever.