Everything Will Be Tested

We are all building something in life. With intent or without intention as every hour, day, week and month goes by, we are building our lives. It is important that we take care of how we build our lives. It is important that we are intentional about how we build our lives so that our lives stand the test of time. Not only do we build our lives on this earth but we are also building in eternity, whether you realize it or not.

According to 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, Apostle Paul tells us that everything we build will be tested by fire. Everything we build here in life is going to go though two tests. They shall be tested by fire and water.

Build For Eternity

Everything we do for God and for people in the name of God, is what we send into eternity. That is what is stored up eternally or built eternally. What material we build with will determine the quality of our eternal life.

How we build our life will determine the quality of life here on earth and when we get to eternity. Share on X

Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives have received eternal salvation but in eternity not all of us will be equal. There will be different ranks, positions, rewards and functions. The fact that you are making it to Heaven is already very, very good; it is a paradise of peace, joy and serenity. But our eternal life uses what we send there during this life. This life is a preparation for the next life. It is like a baby in the womb; the world outside the womb is much greater. In this life, everything we do for God gets transferred into our Heavenly account.

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 NIV, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because they day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been build survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames.”

Tested By Fire

Everything that we do here which we sent to eternity will be tested by fire. The Bible describes the eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ as flames of fire. He will look at everything you have done and everything that is without quality will be burnt up. There are two things which determine the quality of what we are building.

The first thing is motive: what we do and why we do it. Would you continue to do what you are doing for God if you do not receive recognition or reward? Why are you doing what you are doing? In church, why are you serving? Outside church, how do you treat people? How do you utilize the gifts and talents that God has given you? What is your motive behind it? Are you doing things to build up your kingdom and platform or are you truly serving God in spite of your position?

Everyone wants to be a servant of God until they get treated like a servant. We should check our attitudes and motives regarding what we do for God. Motivation comes out of right motives. If you do not have the right motive, you will struggle to have motivation to serve God with a pure heart.

Pure motives are precious materials. Share on X

Quality Of Effort

The second factor is effort. What kind of effort are you giving to God? Are you giving God your best or leftovers? Are you giving God anything at all? The quality of your effort matters. We should serve God with joy and gladness in our spirit, not constantly complaining and criticizing others. For many, when they work on their businesses, they work hard to go above and beyond the call of duty but when it comes to the house of God, they only bring leftovers. Everything we do for God will be tested.

Malachi 1:7-8 CEV, “You embarrass Me by offering worthless food on My altar. Then you ask, “How have we embarrassed You?” You have done it by saying, “What’s so great about the Lord’s altar? But isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are blind, lame, or sick? Just try giving those animals to your governor. That certainly wouldn’t please him or make him want to help you.”

When you hold the altar of God, house of God, ministry of God in contempt, we show carelessness. What kind of effort do you bring to God? What quality of materials are you storing up for eternity?

King David understood these things. I believe that was why David was a man after God’s own heart. David said he would not give God anything that cost him nothing. We must always bring our best. You cannot afford to give only 80% effort to your business, even more so you have to ensure you go the extra mile when it comes to the things of God. This life is short. What are you building for eternity? Will it survive a test of fire?

Tested By Water

Here on earth, we are also building – families, businesses, careers and so on. In this life, everything we build shall be tested by water.

Luke 6:46-69 NLT, “So why do you keep calling Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you shat it’s like when someone come to Me, listens to My teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

This is a vision of two men. One who has Jesus in his life and the other who does not. The first person’s life is successful and established, while the other’s is in ruins. Firstly, I realised that this scripture is not talking about a believer and unbeliever. It is talking about two believers. Both believers come to Jesus and listen to His teachings but there is a distinct difference between them. One obeys the Word and the other doesn’t. What is the foundation here? Jesus is our Rock. Our foundation is our obligation to obey God’s Word. Just because you know the Word doesn’t mean you have a foundation. Those who hear and apply the Word of God to their lives have well-built lives – finances, marriages, careers, and so on.

Everybody has soap or body wash in their house but not everybody washes as often as they should. Similarly, soap is only as effective as you apply it, not only have it in your household. In the Word of God, you have everything you need for a good life; use it and apply it.

The quality of your life on earth is not determined by whether you know the Word of God or not but whether you apply it or not.

Build In Good Times

The season in this scripture was good weather. The building took place in good times. You don’t build your life when things are bad but when they are good. You can’t build a good thing in a storm. In a storm, you are in survival mode. Two businesses look the same in good times but the hard times separates the good from the bad. This especially applies to raising children. When they are small, lay a strong foundation in their life so when they grow, they will mature. It is every parent’s responsibility to raise their children well while they are small, not once you start having difficulties with them. When children are properly built, when the storms, floods, peer pressure and issues of life show up, they are able to handle them well.

Change the way you read God’s Word. Read to find instruction for life in every area. The Bible is a manual for life. The only thing that qualifies you for Heaven is grace. But how this life will look for you will depend on how you use the Word of God to build it. Don’t read the Word of God just for a revelation but for how to apply it to your life.

Make a goal for 2023 to be obedient to God’s Word. Share on X

Philippians 2:8-11, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place.”

Do you want to know how to be exalted? Be obedient to the Word of God. Apply God’s Word. The foundation of your life is not your knowledge but your application of the Word of God. Ask God for the grace to be a doer of His Word.

Sermon By Ilya Parkhotyuk; Blog By Edward Gardiner

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