THE QUALITY OF OUR WORK

THE QUALITY OF OUR WORK

". . . every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it . . . " 1 Cor 3:13)

THOSE WHO HAVE BECOME INVOLVED in the inner workings of sectarianism know of its great emphasis on recruitment. "Evangelism" is the byword among such people, even though the word is not even found in Scripture. Courses are frequently offered that guarantee to make people adept in the art of winning souls. All of this sounds good enough to the naive person. However, there are some factors that will cause the individual to approach "evangelism" more soberly. These factors will not cause one to draw back from "compelling" people to come to Christ, but it will radically alter how it is done. Heaven takes notice of our efforts in this matter."

BUT LET EVERY AN TAKE HEED how he buildeth thereupon" (1 Cor 2:10). God never intended for inferior spiritual materials to be placed upon the Foundation of His Son. Jesus is the basis for a "spiritual house" in which God Himself dwells (Eph 2:22; 1 Pet 2:5). It is possible to have a message or procedure that actually produces followers that will not stand the test of Divine judgment or assessment! The present condition of our churches substantiates this to be the case. The Spirit warns us about the manner in which we build on the Foundation, which is Christ Jesus; i.e., what kinds of people are produced by our message and procedures. "Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is" (1 Cor 3:13 KJV).

"THE DAY" OF JUDGMENT WILL REVEAL the quality of our "converts." They will each pass through the fire of Divine judgment. Those who pass the test will be proved to be "gold, silver, and precious stones," each of which can endure fire. But "wood, hay, and stubble" are consumed by fire. They cannot endure under that circumstance. It will be revealing to see how the "numbers" that are boastfully reported in this world hold up in the day of judgment! The quality of every professed believer will be revealed in that day.

BUT THAT IS NOT THE END OF THE MATTER. The outcome of the "fire test" will directly affect the status of every laborer in the Lord's vineyard. For example, the quality of the evangelist's converts will have a direct bearing upon him. "If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire" (1 Cor 3:14-15). I can tell you, the spiritual knowledge of this sobering reality will affect what you preach, and the manner in which you do it.

DO NOT THINK FOR A MOMENT THAT THIS IS AN IDLE WORD. It is a divine alert to absolute reality. This is why Paul was so concerned about the Galatian brethren. In their reversion to a system of Law, they were becoming "wood, hay, and stubble." Therefore, Paul wrote, "I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain" (Gal 4:11). Paul did not want to "suffer loss" in the day when every man's "work" is "revealed." It is grievous to observe a remarkable absence of this way of thinking in the contemporary church.

A SOLEMN WARNING IS ISSUED to every person laboring in the whitened fields, and we do well to take heed to it with fear and trembling. "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" (1 Cor 3:17). This is no idle threat! Before you become overly tolerant of carnality, or begin to compromise the message of salvation in order to make it attractive to the disinterested, consider this warning! Those who corrupt the dwelling place of God, which is the church, the pillar and ground of the truth, will be destroyed by God. "The day of judgment" will expose the quality of all purported evangelistic and congregational efforts. Make no mistake about it, those who regularly contributed to the defilement of the body of Christ will not be able to escape divine judgment.

ONE LAST THOUGHT – the quality of the churches is a sterling commentary on the message and emphasis they have received.

– Given O. Blakely