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December 8, 2022

Our Work Will Be Tested

1Cor 3: 12 But if anyone builds upon the foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, stubble, 13 The work of each will become manifest; for the day will declare it, because it is revealed by fire, and the fire itself will prove each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built upon the foundation remains, he will receive a reward; 15 If anyone's work is consumed, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

The day here [in 3:13] refers to the day of Christ's second coming, when He will judge all His believers (4:5; 2 Cor. 5:10). The fire in verse 13 denotes the fire of the Lord's judgment (Mal. 3:2; 2 Thes. 1:8; Heb 6:8), which will cause each believer's work to be manifest and will try and test his work. All the work of wood, grass, and stubble will not be able to stand that test and will be burned. The work that remains must be that of gold, silver, and precious stones, the product of faithful ministers of Christ. Such a work will be rewarded by the coming and judging Lord. Reward is based upon the believer's work after being saved. It differs from salvation, which is based upon faith in the Lord and His redemptive work. The work of wood, grass, and stubble is fit only to be burned. This is the work which shall be consumed by the Lord's judging fire at His return. If our work remains, we shall receive a reward. But if our work is consumed, we shall suffer loss. I cannot say definitely what this judging fire is. However, in both the Old Testament and the New fire comes from God as a judgment. In the same principle, fire from God will judge our work. Work that is of gold, silver, and precious stones will pass the test of fire. In fact, the more intense the fire is, the more refined these materials become. However, everything of wood, grass, and stubble will be consumed by fire. Whatever is done according to our nature, being, and natural doings will be burned by fire. The Lord's punishment has at least two aspects: darkness and burning. We ourselves may be in darkness, and our work may be burned to ashesMany times I have asked myself if my work will pass the test of the Lord's judging fire. We all should inquire whether our work brings us into the light or keeps us in darkness. (c) Living Stream Ministry.

Bible verses are taken from the Recovery Version of the Bible and Words of Ministry from Witness Lee, Life-study of 1 Corinthians, pp. 245, 290. Both are published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, CA. Please visit us at www.emanna.com. Send comments to: [email protected].

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Life-study of 1 Corinthians