Approved to Receive a Reward
Greetings in Christ!
Today's scripture comes from 1 Corinthians 3:3-4:21, but because that is such a long passage, I will highlight some verses from that and will hope that some of you can study the whole passage on your own, as it is a good read and timely message.
3:10-15) "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 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 what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 4:5-6) Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, 'Do not go beyond what is written.' Then you will not take pride in one man over against another."
I particularly liked Paul's example of building on a foundation. Firstly, we must be certain that Christ is our foundation; His Word, His commands, His love, His grace and salvation. But from there Paul points out that there is a wide variety of materials used by Christians in which they build their lives and service to Jesus Christ...and not all will receive the same reward, if at all. We can and do at times get caught up in needless activities, in fact, our comfort driven culture assures that. More than that, we often embrace mindsets, behaviors, mentalities and ideas that too, are the equivilant of building with straw! Oh, how our ideas sound so good to our ears and fleshly desires, but they will not stand at the day of the Lord. Worldly knowledge and human reasoning only seeks to "puff one up," or make one arrogant. But as Paul tells us, his service was trademarked by persecution and trials, power and truth, humility and endurance--not pomp and circumstance. If we are sure to build on Christ the Rock, careful to use only worthy materials, we will be approved by the Lord and receive our reward.
~May God richly bless you my beloveds.
Today's scripture comes from 1 Corinthians 3:3-4:21, but because that is such a long passage, I will highlight some verses from that and will hope that some of you can study the whole passage on your own, as it is a good read and timely message.
3:10-15) "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 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 what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 4:5-6) Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, 'Do not go beyond what is written.' Then you will not take pride in one man over against another."
I particularly liked Paul's example of building on a foundation. Firstly, we must be certain that Christ is our foundation; His Word, His commands, His love, His grace and salvation. But from there Paul points out that there is a wide variety of materials used by Christians in which they build their lives and service to Jesus Christ...and not all will receive the same reward, if at all. We can and do at times get caught up in needless activities, in fact, our comfort driven culture assures that. More than that, we often embrace mindsets, behaviors, mentalities and ideas that too, are the equivilant of building with straw! Oh, how our ideas sound so good to our ears and fleshly desires, but they will not stand at the day of the Lord. Worldly knowledge and human reasoning only seeks to "puff one up," or make one arrogant. But as Paul tells us, his service was trademarked by persecution and trials, power and truth, humility and endurance--not pomp and circumstance. If we are sure to build on Christ the Rock, careful to use only worthy materials, we will be approved by the Lord and receive our reward.
~May God richly bless you my beloveds.
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