Friday January 06th, 2023
Memorize: 1 Corinthians 3:15 Good News Translation (GNT)
« But if your work is burnt up, then you will lose it; but you yourself will be saved, as if you had escaped through the fire. »
Read: 1 Corinthians 3:1-15 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
My friends, you are acting like the people of this world. That’s why I could not speak to you as spiritual people. You are like babies as far as your faith in Christ is concerned.
2 So I had to treat you like babies and feed you milk. You could not take solid food, and you still cannot,
3 because you are not yet spiritual. You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world.
4 Some of you say that you follow me, and others claim to follow Apollos. Isn’t that how ordinary people behave?
5 Apollos and I are merely servants who helped you to have faith. It was the Lord who made it all happen.
6 I planted the seeds, Apollos watered them, but God made them sprout and grow.
7 What matters isn’t those who planted or watered, but God who made the plants grow.
8 The one who plants is just as important as the one who waters. And each one will be paid for what they do.
9 Apollos and I work together for God, and you are God’s garden and God’s building.
10 God was kind and let me become an expert builder. I laid a foundation on which others have built. But we must each be careful how we build,
11 because Christ is the only foundation.
12-13 Whatever we build on that foundation will be tested by fire on the day of judgment. Then everyone will find out if we have used gold, silver, and precious stones, or wood, hay, and straw.
14 We will be rewarded if our building is left standing.
15 But if it is destroyed by the fire, we will lose everything. Yet we ourselves will be saved, like someone escaping from flames.
Message:
Our God is great and mighty, the supreme ruler and final authority in heaven and on earth.
He deserves the best of all things; He does not accept service that is substandard from anyone, neither does He reward anyone that offers half-hearted service to Him.
Romans 12:11 reveals God’s hatred for slothful attitude to life and His service.
It also shows a clear preference for people who are fervent in spirit and committed to His work.
Romans 12:1CW says:
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I beg you to present your bodies to God as an offering, holy and acceptable to God. This is truly one of the best ways to worship the LORD.”
While God is concerned about the quality of our service, He is even more concerned about our character and way of life.
If the lifestyle of a person is not acceptable to God, then whatever service the fellow renders may not have real value to Him.
The Bible in Ephesians 6:6-7 lays emphasis on rendering acceptable service not as men pleasers, but doing the will of God from the heart, as unto Him and not to men.
2 Timothy 2:21CW speaks about the personality God will use:
“Therefore, whoever cleanses themselves from anything dishonorable, they will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”
From the scripture above, it is very clear that God will not accept service of those not in rights standing with Him. 1 Corinthians 3:13 also makes it clear that God will critically examine the works and service we render to Him and reward each person accordingly.
Substandard service shall be consumed by fire, making such efforts a loss to the concerned persons.
I pray that your service shall be acceptable to God and be rewarded accordingly, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Prayer point: Father, please let my works pass the test of fire on the last day, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Author: Pst E. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
Freely you received, freely you must give (Math 10:8) , kindly share this devotion, and the Lord will bless you for it ♥
