Tested By Fire
Tested By Fire
"See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant." (Jeremiah 1.10)
In the days of the Lord's first appearance in the flesh in this world, two "temples" were being built,
- What men were building for God, which was summed up in Herod's grandiose construction.
"Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings." (Mark 13.1)
"And while they were talking about the Temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and votive gifts..." (Luke 21.5)
(Do not ever forget that Almighty God was perfectly content inhabiting Moses' crude wilderness Tent.) - What God was building for men, which was expressed in embryonic form in the relationship between Jesus and the Twelve.
"Upon this rock I will build My church." (Matthew 16.18)
"The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very cornerstone." (1 Peter 2.7)
Within one generation fire tested both of these constructions. One was destroyed, and remains so until this very day. The other was never consumed by the fury of Rome, but grew until it conquered that brutal Empire roughly 200 years later.
"You continued looking until a stone was cut out without hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them...But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth." (Daniel 2.34-35)
In these Last Days what we commit ourselves to and invest ourselves in, is going to be tested by fire.
"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 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. 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 so as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3.11-15)
If we serve what God is building for man, what is being built will remain, for it is eternal and therefore indestructible. But if we are determined to build something for God, to impress Him and others...then we may not be so pleased with ourselves when the flames die down.
"Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it..." (Psalm 127.1)
"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each man be careful how he builds upon it." (1 Corinthians 3.10)
