Building for Eternity

                                                                

             

Right in the heart of Italy’s capital, you can gaze upon ruins from the time of the ancient Roman Empires. The Romans wanted their greatness to be etched into human history forever. Therefore, they constructed buildings designed to tell future generations how great the Romans were. Although the gold, silver, and precious stones that once adorned these stony buildings have since been stripped away, scores of these structures remain intact. And just as the original builders intended, they tell us about the glory of the Romans.

However, there was another side of Rome. There was massive importation of slaves to do manual labor. The homes of the slaves were constructed quickly and cheaply using wood, hay and straw as building materials.  The ancient dwellings of the slaves did not survive long because of weather and decay. And, the fire that ravaged Rome also ravaged those flimsy wooden structures. That’s why almost nothing remains of those shabby dwellings today. They could not pass the test of time and were never intended to survive for long.

As Paul travelled through the Roman Empire, he’d gaze upon the massive structures of the rich. Then right next to those impressive buildings, he’d see the flimsy homes where slaves lived. What a comparison! One type of structure was built to last forever, whereas the other type was so rickety that it would not even last a lifetime. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians and urged them to be careful about how they lived and built their lives, he used this comparison as an illustration. His point was this: although believers have a firm and enduring foundation, what they build on that foundation is very important.

Paul wrote “you are God’s building... each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved even though only as one escaping through the flames (1 Cor. 3:9-15).

A strong foundation is defined by longevity; ability to stand the test of time and resilience; ability to withstand storms. Jesus taught that knowing and practicing God's word is like building a house on the rock (Matt.7:24-27). Knowing God and his son is eternal life (John 17:3). Scripture helps us to know God, his will, his ways and his promises. It  provides an unwavering, permanent foundation for life that withstands every storm. Scripture is a firm baseline and everlasting anchor even when cultural norms and personal circumstances shift.

Jesus built his life on the rocky foundation of God's truth. He knew his father and he was known to his father. He knew his father’s purpose for his life; it was perfect even though fulfilling it would be costly. He knew his life on earth was brief and the trials of life were nothing compared to the glory that awaited him on the other side (Rom.8:18). Therefore, he had an unshakable faith; when storms came he trusted God and did not fall into sin or fear. When John, in a vision, had a glimpse of him in glory Jesus told him “I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever!” (Rev.1:17-18).

Paul says “you are God’s building” (1Cor. 3:9). Every Christian is a builder and every Christian builds with some sort of materials. Paul instructs us about the seriousness of building right!  He knows that a good foundation does not necessarily guarantee a strong and lasting building. The quality of the building material also matters. He uses two sets of metaphors to classify the building materials. Gold, silver and precious stones were the most expensive and the highest quality materials used in the construction of a building in Paul’s day. These materials were extremely rare and therefore highly prized.

These materials were mined far below the surface. To construct a house with them required skill, hard work and a lot of time. These materials could endure weather, fire, and time.  Houses build of them were durable, long-lasting and resilient. Wood, hay and straw were considered to be the lowest quality material to use in construction. They were cheap, perishable and flammable. These materials were readily available. Constructing a house of them was easy and fast. But these houses could not endure weather, fire, and time. They were not meant to last.

By using this illustration, Paul was confronting us with the question: How are you building your life? Are you building hastily and with perishable materials? Or are you taking your life seriously, building carefully with materials that will last throughout your life and are strong enough to impact not only this present generation, but also the generations to come? The Foundation under our lives is Jesus, but what we build on top of that Foundation depends on our vision, personal commitment and level of excellence.

Every Christian has been created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph.2:10). God has ordained opportunities, responsibilities and acts of obedience through which we glorify Him and bless others. Good works are to mark the regular course of the Christian life, not isolated moments of religious effort. James 2:17 warns that faith without works is dead. Titus 2:14 says that Christ “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

Jesus went around doing good (Acts 10:38); he showed many good works (John 10:32). Believers are expected to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share ((1 Timothy 6:17-18,Heb.13:16, Prov. 3:27-28; Gal. 6:10); to help the needy (James 2:14-16) visit the sick and those in prison (Matt. 25:35-40); to serve their masters “with sincerity of heart , Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Col.3:22-25);

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (I Cor. 4:2). The quality of the building materials represents how faithfully we serve the Lord with the opportunities (Gal. 6:10), the abilities (Matt.25:15) and the gifts (1Cor.12), that the Holy Spirit distributes “to each one individually as He wills” (1 Cor.12:11). Daily obedience, sacrificial love and pure conduct determines the quality the materials that a believer uses to construct a spiritual house.

Jesus told his disciples “ I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). Daytime represents your time of life, health and opportunity. It is the active window when you can still act, serve, and make a difference. Night time represents the end of life or a closed door when earthly labor is no longer possible. The Father's work refers to sharing love, helping others, and bringing God's light into the world, which Jesus demonstrated right before this verse by healing a blind man.

Hebrew 9:27 says “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment”. All people will face judgment after death. Revelation14:13 says “blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on...they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them”. All believers “must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Cor.5:10). The judgment at the seat of Christ is for believers only. The unbelievers will be in another judgment described in Revelation 20:11–15.

1 Corinthians 3:12–15 describes the judgment at seat of Christ. Believers will be judged not to face eternal punishment; they have already “crossed over from death to life" (John 5:24).  The judgment will be to determine the deserved commendation and rewards for the service rendered to God on earth.  All believers must appear before the judgment seat of Christ and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.  Every man's work shall be laid open to his own view and that of others.

There is information that is not apparent here on earth for we cannot see hearts or motives as God can. Sometimes to the human eye it is difficult to distinguish between gold and  straw. Jesus told the Pharisees “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” To the church in Sardis Jesus said “ I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (Rev.3:1). People may be impressed by reputation; God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7 ).

God has perfect knowledge; “the eyes of the Lord are everywhere,  keeping watch on the wicked and the good” (Prov. 15:3). In Jeremiah 17:10 God says “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Hebrews 4:13 says “there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account”. No sacrifice, obedience, faithfulness, neglected responsibility, slackness or shoddiness escapes Christ’s knowledge.

One of the last things Jesus says in Scripture is, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done” (Rev. 22:12).  To the church in Ephesus Jesus said “I know your deeds, your hard work ...your love and faith, your service and perseverance” (Rev.2:2). To the church in Thyatira he said” I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance... I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds” (Rev.2:19,23). Even a cup of cold water given to one of the little ones will certainly receive the reward (Matt. 10:42).

Christ will see right through all our motives. Those works which are worthless in themselves or which were improperly motivated will be destroyed in the fire. Work that will be reduced to ashes include: things done to be seen by men; for such men’s applause is the final reward (Matt.6:1-16). Service not motivated by love (1 Cor.13:1-3). Giving grudgingly or of necessity (2 Cor.9:7); Giving less than your ability (Luke 6:38 , 12:48); Serving to get something in return (Luke 6:34-35), service given according to human traditions at the expense of God’s word (Matt 15:1-9) .

Much work with right motives glorifies God the most and so will attract the greatest reward. Exactly what these rewards are has not been revealed. It’s one of the secret things that belong to God (Deut. 29:29). We have to wait until we get to heaven to find out. Possibly we cant understand for no eye has seen or mind perceived what those things are (1 Cor.2:9). For now we take God at his word. The man who will suffer loss will not lose his life (John 10:28; Rev. 20:6). He will lose the reward he could have earned had his life been what God intended it to be or if he had not been short-sighted.

 Men may not see the value of your service, but rest assured that Jesus takes perfect note and that He will reward you. “If you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear” (1Pet. 1:15-17). “Be strong and let not your hands be slack; for your work shall be rewarded” (2 Chron.15:7). 

"Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Gal. 6:9).What you do now reverberates forever. “Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work” (Col. 1:9-10). And, always remember that "what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal"(2 Corinthians 4:18).