December 27, 2021 BUILDING WITH THE RIGHT MATERIALS
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Christ Jesus. Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, precious silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed by fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet as through fire.”
I am thankful that God gives us new beginnings; new days, new weeks, and new years. As we contemplate the new year we are about to begin, let us do a self-examination, reflecting on the life we are living; what or who motivates me; what are my goals; what am I pursuing; how am I relating to others; and most importantly, how is my relationship with God. These self-examinations are not to be a morbid introspection or neither are they to lead to a feeling of condemnation. The verses above serve as a good guide for this self-examination. The fact is that we are building, not a physical building, but we are building our life. Lives have foundations just as building do; the obvious question is, what foundation are we building on. Actually, there is only one foundation that is sure, and that is Christ Jesus; any other foundation is doomed to fail. The quality of our building material is critical; if we build with straw, wood, or hay, what we build will not last. We are forewarned; the material we use to build with will become evident as it will tested by fire. If we are building with gold, precious silver and precious stones, our building will survive the fire-and we will be rewarded. We build with gold, precious silver and precious stones by living according to the truth of God’s word; by living in a way that pleases the Lord. Do not misunderstand; I am not suggesting that we can by our good works earn God’s love; but I am saying that if we love Him, it will be our desire to please Him and to walk in His ways. Our ‘works’ are very important, but it is the motivation behind our works that matters the most. Because God loves us and has made us new creations, we can now build on the foundation of Christ Jesus with gold, precious silver, and precious stone-and what we build will last, and again, we will be rewarded! The past year has had its bumps in the road for many, but let us welcome this new year as an opportunity to build our lives on the only foundation, Christ Jesus. We face a new beginning; may be wise builders. Have a blessed and happy new year.
1 Corinthians 4:4-5 “I am conscience of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgement before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.”
Colossians 3:1-2 “If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Blessings,
Buddy
RSS Feed