July 2, 2017
Choosing the Right Material
1 Corinthians 3:12-15
12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver,
precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one's work will become
manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire,
and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work
that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.
15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself
will be saved, but only as through fire.
Believers build their lives on the Rock of Ages: Jesus Christ.
Every motive, every deed, and every word is material for our spiritual house.
The apostle Paul warned followers to construct with care because on the day of judgment, fire will test the quality of each person’s
work. This refers not to a literal fire but to the purifying presence of Jesus
Christ.
When I stand in the Savior’s perfectly holy and just presence, all
the wood, hay, and stubble in my life will disappear. Good things done with
wrong motives will vanish along with secret sins and bad attitudes. Only what
has been done and said in Jesus’ name remains. And the moment the chaff is
gone, we will see that God is right--those things didn’t fit the life of His
child.
On hearing this explanation, someone usually says, “All that
matters is that I get into heaven.” But that attitude is shortsighted
because the judgment of believers is about rewards. In the parable of the
unrighteous steward, Jesus explained the basic concept to His disciples: “He
who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much”(Luke 16:10). Our time on earth is the beginning of an
eternity serving and rejoicing in the Lord. God will reward us with heavenly
responsibility according to our faithfulness here.
Wise people plan for the future (Prov. 27:12).I want to receive as
much of God’s goodness as He offers, so I am determined to build with
top-quality, enduring materials. The privilege of serving is only the beginning
of the rewards. In heaven, God’s generosity will be even more abundantly
unleashed.