READ:
NUMBERS 31:21-23
In life,
one meets with many unpleasant circumstances, designed to test the believer and
his works. Water can be used as well as fire. When compared, fire has the more
devastating effect. For instance, if a man drowns in the river, no part of his
body will be affected. He will just be full of water. But when a man is caught
in a fire, he too will die, but you may find only ashes. He will be burnt
beyond recognition.
In the Christian faith, for your works to be accepted and deserving of reward from the Lord, they must go through the acid test of God’s fire (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Into that fire are built all the required parameters, based on God’s Word, for a work to be rewardable. Works done with wrong motives, to earn the praise of men; with the wrong attitude, without love, or in sin will be consumed in the fire.
According to our reading, gold, silver, brass, iron, tin and lead are listed as elements that can pass through fire and come out clean. These typify the enduring works God requires of you. Any works less than this, like wood, hay and stubble, are burnt up in the fire (1 Corinthians 3:12). Carry out a critical assessment of your works and find out if they meet heaven’s demands.
Apart from works, your faith can be tested. Isaiah 43:2 states you can go through water and fire. In each case God promises to see you through. The extent to which your faith will be tried depends on God’s plan for your life. If God has a great plan for your life, be ready for the fiery test. The duration of your stay in the fire will also be determined by the degree God wants to use you. For instance, for a three and a half year ministry, Jesus underwent a 40-day wilderness experience. Moses, on the other hand, spent virtually 80 years preparing for a 40-year ministry. Are you going through God’s fire now? Congratulations. Fear not, favoured one. The fire will consume only the things that are standing in God’s way in your life. The fire will not burn you. He is with you in the fire.
In the Christian faith, for your works to be accepted and deserving of reward from the Lord, they must go through the acid test of God’s fire (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Into that fire are built all the required parameters, based on God’s Word, for a work to be rewardable. Works done with wrong motives, to earn the praise of men; with the wrong attitude, without love, or in sin will be consumed in the fire.
According to our reading, gold, silver, brass, iron, tin and lead are listed as elements that can pass through fire and come out clean. These typify the enduring works God requires of you. Any works less than this, like wood, hay and stubble, are burnt up in the fire (1 Corinthians 3:12). Carry out a critical assessment of your works and find out if they meet heaven’s demands.
Apart from works, your faith can be tested. Isaiah 43:2 states you can go through water and fire. In each case God promises to see you through. The extent to which your faith will be tried depends on God’s plan for your life. If God has a great plan for your life, be ready for the fiery test. The duration of your stay in the fire will also be determined by the degree God wants to use you. For instance, for a three and a half year ministry, Jesus underwent a 40-day wilderness experience. Moses, on the other hand, spent virtually 80 years preparing for a 40-year ministry. Are you going through God’s fire now? Congratulations. Fear not, favoured one. The fire will consume only the things that are standing in God’s way in your life. The fire will not burn you. He is with you in the fire.
MEMORIZE:
1 CORINTHIANS 3:14 –If any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he
shall receive a reward.
