WOOD, HAY OR PRECIOUS STONES? PART ONE Are you a good long time investor? Not in regards to your retirement from your job, but investing long term for beyond this life. Did you ever consider that it is possible to make deposits in this life that can pay dividends in the life to come? Matthew 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. The Bible is clear: there are going to be two distinct judgments in the future. For those who failed to accept Jesus as their savior, the Bible states that they have an appointment at a judgment called the Great white throne Judgment:. Revelation 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. However, if you have received Jesus as your savior, you will go to a judgment referred to as the Judgment Seat of Christ.. At this judgment you will be privileged to bow at the Lords foot stool. Many have said, if I can just make it to heaven by the skin of my teeth, Ill be satisfied. On the contrary, there are other conscientious believers who want to do more than just make ir. They want to arrive at the feet of their redeemer with at least a token of thanks for the grace freely given them. Ephesians 2: 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Salvation is not earned, not merited, not worked for. It is totally a gift from God, received by placing faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. It has been said, Grace plus anything (good works) is not grace at all. One should never confuse good works as a means to salvation. Yet, the Word is clear, gratitude can be expressed through the actions, choices, and the motives of our lives. Why is this salvation only freely given to those who desire it, instead of God automatically giving salvation to all. Consider this statement, This is not a perfect world, but it is the best way to a perfect world. Many have difficulty with the following concept: How can a good God allow bad things to happen to good people? The problem of pain in this world is a necessity if humanity is going to be given the freedom of choice. God desires to have a people who choose to love and serve Him out of their will. To have a world of worshippers that are not automatically programmed to serve Him, but have a will to serve Him, resulted in unpleasantries in this world. This imperfect world with its distractions, and opportunity for right and wrong choices has to be an entry way into a perfect age. Heaven will be filled with people who walked through an abnormal, fallen, and imperfect world, not having to serve Jesus, but choosing to. For those who walk through this imperfect world and accept Christ! Paul gives these words of comfort: eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him --1 Corinthians 2:9. In other words, a perfect world. BELIEVERS ARE BEING GROOMED FOR THE MOST INTRICATE AND SOPHISTICATED SYSTEM EVER KNOWN TO MAN. If you have ever met someone at a special occasion and he/she demonstrated thoughtfulness By giving you a gift, and all you had was the sickening feeling, I forgot, the misery of the moment should be enough motivation to cause you to consider the proper, Thank you, Lord, for your grace. An element of our eternity that is seldom considered by believers is this: What will be the issues of importance at the Judgment of Believers? WOOD, HAY OR PRECIOUS STONES: PART 2 If you are a believer you will not be judged for your sins; Jesus Christ received that judgment. However, 2 Corinthians 5 states in verse 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. In verse 9, we are instructed that the proper attitude for grace should be to make it our aim to please him. Many have this concept: Just so I miss the Great White Throne Judgment, Ill be okay. The fact is that very few believers have spent over fifteen minutes investigating the basis by which we will be judged. This issue is of great importance. In 1Corinthians 3: 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- 13 each ones work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyones work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. A Christian has only one foundation: Jesus Christ his Savior. And on that foundation he builds either combustible or non-combustible material. The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to make it plain that this does not concern salvation.. The tragedy is that after we are born again, we can build upon the rock (Jesus) things that are going to be consumed, so that after we have stood before The Lord Jesus Christ as Judge we have little left. One day the essence of your life will be laid at the feet of the Lamb of God and though there will be no condemnation, His eyes of fire will test the labor of your days. Whatever IDs left will be your thanks for grace. To avoid embarrassment and to have something left as a token of thanks to your redeemer, it would be wise to do a thorough study on exactly how the scriptures say we will be judged!!! In considering the issues of importance, lets examine them in the light of the values of this generation. In the following segments you will learn what factors will determine whether you have ashes or gold. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- 13 each ones work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyones work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-- 13 each ones work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyones work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:04:10 +0000
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