The Test of Fire
- Alan Fong
- Sep 14
- 3 min read
Today's Verse:
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 Corinthians 3:13
The authenticity of precious metals has always been determined by fire. Gold and silver are placed into a crucible, and then, into a very hot furnace. After the metal has been melted down into a hot liquid, all of the impurities known as dross would float to the surface. The purest gold or silver would have the least amount of impurities. The fire reveals what sort it is. This morning, let us see what will happen to the works of believers when our works are tried by fire.
We see a time of reckoning.
“Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it.” Every believer is a steward of the gifts, talents, and responsibilities God has entrusted to him. All of our works after we get saved must be reckoned before the Lord. To reckon means to be accounted for. There is no hiding of our works. There will be no revising of our works. Everything we ever did will be made manifest. This day of reckoning follows the Rapture of the believer and will be conducted in Heaven by our Lord. It is a day that only the Lord Himself knows. It is a set day and one that is inevitable.
We see a tested revelation.
“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.” Every man’s works shall be tested by fire. First, the fire will reveal the material we built upon. Did we build our lives with gold, silver, and precious stones that will endure the fire? Or did we build our lives with wood, hay, and stubble that will burn in the fire? Perishable materials are works that will have no impact for eternity. Second, the fire will reveal what kind of motive we built with. “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” The counsels of the heart and the hidden things of darkness will reveal both our motive and our method.
We see the tearful regrets.
“If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” As every believer watches his works being reckoned by the Lord, the wood, hay, and stubble that was built thereon will burn. This believer will suffer loss. Works that we thought would count for eternity will burn. In the parable of the talents, the servant who buried his talent had this talent taken from him and given to the servant who doubled his five talents to ten talents. This loss means there is no reward. Will you have tearful regrets in Heaven that your motive for serving the Lord was wrong? Will you have tearful regrets that you built with perishable material?
We see the truthful reward.
“If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.” The material that continues through the fire will reveal the truthfulness of the believer’s stewardship. Was he faithful? Was he fruitful? There is the absolute guarantee that he shall receive a reward. Laying up treasures in this life will have results that will be moth-eaten and rusted. Laying up treasure for eternity with the right material and motive will result in eternal reward.
The fire will test our works. Don’t let weariness or the wicked one distract you from serving the Lord. Be a faithful steward of the resources and opportunities God gives you.
Have a fervent God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Daniel 4-6
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