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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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1 Corinthians 3:14-15
“If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”
Why we don’t die as soon as we are saved.
A subject we rarely talk about. We desperately want to know that we are saved but just so we can have an insurance policy to get us to Heaven. However, in yesterday’s verse, Paul said, “to us who are BEING saved” (1:18).
To the Hebrews, salvation was not just a ‘one-off’ event – it was a perpetual action. That is why we read, “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Salvation is free to us because Jesus paid the price, but we are then expected to “work” it out. What does that mean?
Listen, nothing has changed – we are still held accountable for all our actions. Yes, the Grace of God, through Christ’s blood shed on the Cross, covers all our sin, and the sins which we ask Jesus to forgive when we confess them and repent.
But - what are you doing with Jesus? What are you doing with the gifts He has given you? Remember what Jesus said in the parable of the talents? (see Matthew 25) The one who was given 5 gained 5 more, the one given 2 gained 2 more, but the one given 1 did nothing with it. His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant” (Matthew 25:26).
We have ALL been given talents. You are not the only one who missed out. You have been given talents too. We are expected to use them. We are His witnesses (see Acts 1:8).
We will all have our lives tried by fire. If we ‘waste’ our lives on selfish pursuits, entertainment or fail to do what God wants us to do – all we have done will be burned up and we shall stand ‘naked and empty’ before the Lord. Yes, we will be saved but we will ‘miss out’ on all the rewards available in Heaven. Yes, we the Redeemed will all be in Heaven, but there are degrees of lifestyle there. You will either get in ‘by the skin of your teeth’ or with “gold, silver [and] costly stones” (1 Corinthians 3:12). No. We can’t take our natural wealth with us; only our spiritual ‘investments’.
Guess what? It’s all up to us. Yes. It’s not up to God; it’s up to us. We make the choice as to how we live. Just as we have the choice to accept or reject the salvation Christ offers, so too we choose how to live out our Christian lives. We can either settle for a mediocre, safe, selfish and self-gratifying life or choose a life of obedience to Christ – “Sold Out For Jesus.”
It will be uncomfortable, risky, challenging, and exhilarating. We could also end up on a cross. But as martyrs have testified down through the centuries, they had the ‘honour’ to be persecuted for the Name of Christ. They were truly identified with Him in His death (see Philippians 3:10; Galatians 6:17).
We need to stop and take stock. What are we building on the foundation of Christ? What are you doing with the talents and gifts God has given you? What on earth are you doing for His Kingdom?
When you look back on your life, what will you see? The carnal pursuit of pleasure and ease or the passionate pursuit of the Kingdom of God?
What is more important – what will Jesus see?
How will you enter Heaven?
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