The Fire Will Test The Quality Of Each Man’s Work

Study: # 717-Church in the Houses From: March 6 – 12, 2012

Topic: "The Fire Will Test The Quality Of Each Man’s Work" I Corinthians 3:13 There are things that can be done out of habit or out of convenience. You should know the reason why. When the heart is controlled by God we have everything to gain. If this has not yet occurred, which is most certain, the heart has to be worked so it will not lead us to destruction. In the local church where you will congregate, all should work daily to edify in the kingdom of God. This is what should be taught in the Church, that our work for God be worthwhile and done with true love. We can arrange things for the church, prepare Bible studies, sermons and other things or work we do but, we must ensure that we do these things not only out of habit, or merely to fulfill the duties or responsibilities we have. We have to look out for our heart since everything we do for the church is for God and should be done out of love. Love is something that should be in our inner self so that there will be no fatigue in our lives. If we expect rewards for what we do, those deeds will not remain before God but rather they will be burned. That is the result of our weak condition, our lack of love, devotion and sincerity. Everything comes from the heart. The heart is deceitful and weaves and suppresses what is good with the bad habits of life. For example: to become "great" is what fills the human being. Our deeds or work for the Lord can not be to seek greatness. Let's be clear that we are all edifying each day in church and that the results of our work will be tested and manifested in a coming day. Then there our reward will be given to us. Everyone does something for God, but each one will obtain what they really do, what they do with all their heart and with sincere love towards God. The fire itself will test the quality of the work of each one. Every service that has given glory to God and blessed men will not be affected by the fire, as it occurs with gold, silver and precious stones when subjected to intense heat from the fire. If we do our deeds with the quality and purity that God expects from us, with no other double intention but only out of love, they will resist every test of fire, given here on earth and over there at Christ’s Tribunal. Those whose deeds have brought sorrow and shock to the people of God and have not edified or helped, that work will be consumed by fire. We can see the case of Hezekiah. 2 Chronicles 32:31 "But regarding the messengers of the princes of Babylon, who sent him ... God left him, TO TEST HIM, TO KNOW EVERYTHING THAT WAS IN HIS HEART." The vanity of desire for greatness that was in the heart of Hezekiah came out; God allowed him to go through that to test him. So the Lord wanted this to happen to know everything that was in his heart. God wants to test everything that is in the heart for all our actions come from the heart. God did prevent the great vanity of Hezekiah from coming out. That pride led Hezekiah to receive a great punishment; his children would become slaves and eunuchs of his enemy, the king of Babylon (Isaiah 39: 2-7). Those messengers of the king of Babylon came along appearing to congratulate him for his recovery, but it wasn’t like that; God allowed these men to know all that what was in Hezekiah. Babylon was not at that time a threat to Judah. God tested Hezekiah's work in the best moments, in his healthiness. Our deeds are constantly tested by God to make us realize what we are capable of doing for vanity. Sometimes we want to disguise things with humility, but God who knows everything and sees everything tests us. You will be happy when you run into yourself and this way you will succeed. James 1:12 They are holy trials. There is a blessing and a reward upon the person that tolerates while under affliction. When you've resisted the trial you will receive the crown of life. It is the laurel crown given to a conqueror, which will be granted in Christ’s Tribunal to believers who succeed. This will be for those who are capable of tolerating trials, because those who have endured with patience will receive honor. The important issue is: how do we face what we are subjected to? Look, maybe you will do it complaining or looking for someone that will feel sorry for you and that is not someone who is honest

and brave. Let us be capable of rejoicing and to thank the Lord in the trial. Either you announce your trials to others so that they will feel sorry for your or you tolerate it with quietness and sobriety. Let us live our present trying to see God's hand in all that takes place. Let us not recur to self-pity or seek sympathy from others; let us be capable of submerging our "I" in a life of service. The more we decide to confront the holy trials, the quicker we will come out of them and we will learn. Then, we will be able to withstand whatever comes, but with a healed heart of so much vainglory of this world. Amen.