May 3, 2016 NOT IN VAIN
1 Corinthians 3:12-13: “Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, 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 with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.”
1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
It should be a no-brainer for us, but just as Paul instructed the early believers, we need to be reminded that the life we live, the things we do, will one day be deemed by the Lord as either in vain, or not in vain. We have the choice of building with gold, silver, precious stones, or we can build with wood, hay, or straw. Obviously, wood, hay, and straw will not survive the test-and yes, there is coming a day when each believer will give an account for his life. All work that is done as unto the Lord is not in vain, but all other work that is not unto the Lord is done in vain. The key factor that determines the quality of our work revolves around our motivation for what we do. “As unto the Lord” means that my actions and my thoughts flow out of my relationship with Him and it implies that the Lord has instructions and desires for me and I want to be obedient to Him. I’m reminded of an old gospel song that has a good message, entitled: “I’m Working on a Building-For My Lord.” In the Christian life, we are called to work and to build, not to gain salvation, but because God wants us to partner with Him as He furthers His purposes for us and for all of creation. When we are expressions of the gospel, in whatever we are doing, we are building with gold, silver, and precious stones. We are blessed as we are about the Lord’s work, but there is an ultimate future blessing that awaits us, and this blessing should serve as a life-long motivation to make sure that our life, our work is not in vain. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul instructs us that “in the twinkling of an eye” our mortal body will put on immortality! Wow! The fantastic plans that God has for us through Jesus Christ is the ultimate motivation for us to not to work in vain, not to give up or be discouraged, but to be about building with gold, silver, and precious stones. Whether on the job, on vacation, at play or wherever-when we are conduits of the love of God; when we are living out the commands in scripture; and when we are blessing others, we are building with gold, silver, and precious stone. Beware: the enemy want us to be busy building, but with wood, hay, and straw! Let us take to heart the admonitions of Paul-let us be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” By the way, when our work is not in vain and when we work as unto the Lord, we will experience ultimate fulfillment-that is the way God designed life to be for the believer. There are many things that would distract us and cause us to be building with the wrong material, so let us have a God-given determination to build according to God’s plans.
1 Corinthians 3:14: “If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward.”
Blessings,
Buddy
1 Corinthians 3:12-13: “Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, 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 with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.”
1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
It should be a no-brainer for us, but just as Paul instructed the early believers, we need to be reminded that the life we live, the things we do, will one day be deemed by the Lord as either in vain, or not in vain. We have the choice of building with gold, silver, precious stones, or we can build with wood, hay, or straw. Obviously, wood, hay, and straw will not survive the test-and yes, there is coming a day when each believer will give an account for his life. All work that is done as unto the Lord is not in vain, but all other work that is not unto the Lord is done in vain. The key factor that determines the quality of our work revolves around our motivation for what we do. “As unto the Lord” means that my actions and my thoughts flow out of my relationship with Him and it implies that the Lord has instructions and desires for me and I want to be obedient to Him. I’m reminded of an old gospel song that has a good message, entitled: “I’m Working on a Building-For My Lord.” In the Christian life, we are called to work and to build, not to gain salvation, but because God wants us to partner with Him as He furthers His purposes for us and for all of creation. When we are expressions of the gospel, in whatever we are doing, we are building with gold, silver, and precious stones. We are blessed as we are about the Lord’s work, but there is an ultimate future blessing that awaits us, and this blessing should serve as a life-long motivation to make sure that our life, our work is not in vain. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul instructs us that “in the twinkling of an eye” our mortal body will put on immortality! Wow! The fantastic plans that God has for us through Jesus Christ is the ultimate motivation for us to not to work in vain, not to give up or be discouraged, but to be about building with gold, silver, and precious stones. Whether on the job, on vacation, at play or wherever-when we are conduits of the love of God; when we are living out the commands in scripture; and when we are blessing others, we are building with gold, silver, and precious stone. Beware: the enemy want us to be busy building, but with wood, hay, and straw! Let us take to heart the admonitions of Paul-let us be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” By the way, when our work is not in vain and when we work as unto the Lord, we will experience ultimate fulfillment-that is the way God designed life to be for the believer. There are many things that would distract us and cause us to be building with the wrong material, so let us have a God-given determination to build according to God’s plans.
1 Corinthians 3:14: “If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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