A while back a home in our neighborhood caught fire. Our neighbor and his friend were driving by and saw the flames. They pounded on the door and could hear people inside, but no one would open the door. They finally kicked it in and found a teenager and three young children inside. They were able to get them and their little dog out safely.
The house sat there for quite some time afterwards. We thought they would tear it all down and start over, but apparently much of the house survived the fire. They began reconstruction by clearing out the rubble and determining what was still good and could be left for rebuilding.
In a way that reminds me of what Paul wrote to the Corinthians about our work to build God’s church.
“For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward.” [1 Corinthians 3:11-14 HCSB]
The Church Corporate has one foundation, Christ Jesus our Lord. We are to build on that foundation. One day when we gather at the Throne, our works will be judged to determine their quality. Each one of us has a choice of building materials. Eternal ones are represented by gold, silver, costly stones. Temporal ones by wood, hay, straw. Some will stand the test; others will be consumed.
I am sure that our heart’s motivation will be a key component of quality, along with the actual work itself. Rewards will be received by all those whose work survives. We must always look for God’s direction to build His Church His way and for His glory.
