Will your work stand the test of fire?

“Not many of you should presume to be teachers ... because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1).

Being a teacher, writer and preacher, I find this warning rather sobering. In fact, sitting down to write an article like this requires – certainly in my case – a high level of courage.

But do not think you have been let off the hook because you are not a Bible teacher. God judges EVERY person’s work impartially (1 Peter 1:17), and He will “give to each person according to what he has done” (Romans 2:6). Whether you are a cook, engineer, housewife, pensioner or accountant, your work will be judged. Yes, my work will be judged more strictly, but nevertheless, your work will be judged too!

The Apostle John described what mankind’s court appearance will be like in Revelation 21:11-15. John’s vision was, to put it mildly, momentous. He saw the dead - every person that had ever lived and died, both kings and commoners - standing before the great white throne, were they were judged on the basis of two things: 1) what they had done, according to the records of each person’s life, and 2) whether their name appeared in the book of life.

If you are in Christ you can be sure of the outcome of the second judgement. Your name will appear in the book of life, and you will not suffer eternal separation from God. An eternity in the presence of God will be your infinite delight. But how will you fare in the first judgement? Paul highlights your possible predicament in the following way:

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his 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 man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. (1 Cor. 3:11-15)”

It is essential, therefore, that you approach your work on earth with reverential fear. There is much at stake – not your salvation, but certainly your reward. For this reason, I am getting into the habit of using a prayer penned by King David in Psalm 19. David had written this psalm to glorify God and His law, so as he finished he wrote:

“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart, be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (v14).

For David, the work of the moment was a psalm. For me it is this article. What is it for you? Whatever you are doing begin with prayer, asking God to help you please Him. God is your Rock. You can depend on Him to help you do God-glorifying work. Further, God is your Redeemer. He is in the business of delivering people like you and I from our weaknesses and the limitations of the world so that we can build with gold, silver and costly stones.

Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer, may the work I have done and the work I am about to do be pleasing in your sight. Amen.

Cheers for now - Ian