THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER
"Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. " (John 5:39)

VOLUME 2, NUMBER 11, APRIL 14, 2002

“EACH MAN’S WORK WILL BECOME EVIDENT”  

            I was asked a question last week while in Louisville by a recent convert.  It was a good question pertaining to a particular passage of scripture and I thought that it might be something that others have wondered about as well.  The passage was 1 Corinthians 3:10 – 15.  The passage says, “According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it.  But let each man be careful how he builds upon it.  For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.  If any man’s work which he has built upon it remains, he shall receive a reward.  If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.”  

            The foundation upon which the church is built is the fact that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.  That is the very thing that the Lord said in the famous passage of Matthew 16:18.  In a discussion with His disciples, Jesus had asked them, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  In response, they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”  But the Lord was more specific in His questioning, and He asked, “But who do you say that I am?”  Let’s pick up reading in verse 16.  It says, “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.  And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.  And I also say to you that you are Peter; and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.”  The “rock” was Peter’s confession, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  

            Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 3 is that all have the responsibility to build upon that very same foundation.  All have the responsibility to preach and teach the same gospel – based upon the truth that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.  As we go about teaching the truth there are going to be various responses to it.  Some will reject it altogether, refuse to listen and turn their backs.  That is to be expected.  Still others will give ear to the truth, but will not be moved to obey.  There will be others who will respond favorably to the teaching and render their obedience to the gospel call.   I believe Paul to be saying that not all of those will be of the same caliber either.  

            It is simply true that not all who obey the gospel will remain faithful.  For some, the trials and tribulations of this life will serve to purify and make them stronger – much like the purifying effect that fire has upon precious metals such as gold and silver.  For others, when the fires of life come along they will not remain strong.  In a spiritual sense, the trials and tribulations will serve to burn them up, to consume them, as fire does to wood, hay, and straw.   

            It is a glorious thing to see those that you have had a hand in converting remaining strong and growing more mature every day.  It is a blessing to see them face the trials of life with the help of the Lord Jesus, and to see them coming out stronger on the other side.  That in itself is a reward.  

            On the other hand, it is heart-rending and sad to see those whom you have taught the gospel and seen obey it, fall prey to the difficulties and trials of life.  It is a difficult thing to see those whom you have taught fall away in times of difficulty and trial.  It is a loss in a very real sense.   

            But, and I believe this to be Paul’s main point, whether those we faithfully teach the gospel obey or not; whether those who do respond favorably remain faithful or not; our responsibility is to teach.  If we do our work faithfully, we will be rewarded.  Our job is to teach the pure and undefiled certified gospel.  God is the One who gives the increase.  Once the increase is given – it is the individual’s responsibility to remain faithful.  We can’t make people obey, and we can’t make people be faithful.  But we can do what the Lord expects of us and that is to build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ.  

            Our upcoming Gospel Meeting gives us a wonderful opportunity to do just that.  Here is a chance to invite folks to a special series of meetings designed to teach them the truth.  It is one good and easy way for us to fulfill our responsibility.  Wayne needs to have people to teach – and that is where you and I come in.  Tell people about the meeting, invite people to the meeting, and let’s make certain we are all there ourselves.