Gold, Silver, & Precious Stones

1 Corinthians 3:11-13
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. NKJV

If you look at religion, you will find it is a system of beliefs that are trying to work to get to something.  As a Committed Christian, you should not be religious.  You should have a relationship with the Creator.  Religion ideally is trying to work its way to God, by doing good things and trying to be good people.  However, no matter how good you are, no matter how many good works you do, there is absolutely no way you can work your way to being right before God on your own.  We need Jesus.  The Bible says that the only way we can be rescued from death and eternal separation from God is through Jesus.  This is grace.

Once you get the idea of grace, there is nothing like it.  Yahweh the Father rescued us through the work of Jesus on the cross.  There was nothing we could do by ourselves.  However, that does not mean that we are not accountable for our actions as believers.

In 1 Corinthians 3, we get probably the best feel for the judgment for the things we have done.  Yahweh is watching everything we are doing and will reward us accordingly in His Kingdom.  John F. Dakes in the Dakes Study Bible says, “All will be rewarded in according to their works.  Rewards are not given according to success of labor, but according to the motive and faithfulness and service” (Matthew 6: 2,5,16).

If you read through the chapter, you will see that this chapter is talking about works, clear and simple.  Works are the things that you and I are doing every day for the Kingdom.  By the time you get to the end of the chapter, you see that those who believe will be saved AND we will be judged according to our works.  Evidently, everything we do will be judged by God’s fire.  There are two types of works; wood, hay, and stubble, and gold, silver and precious stones.  Our works that are like wood, hay and stubble will be burned up and disappear.  Works that are like gold, silver, and precious stone will stand the heat of the fire and will remain.

Before God, what is it that you are doing?  Are you helping people?  Are you a loving person filled with compassion or always in a hurry?  Are you willing to make time to encourage someone?  Are you a giver or just always trying to take something for you?  Do you spend time with your spouse and children or more time doing entertaining for friends or business clients?

God wants to and will bless you so that you can be a blessing.  Are you?

Faith Builders- © 2010, Ps. Spencer Patrick- Victory Word Church- http://www.victoryword.org