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. – 1 Corinthians 3:13
The Greek word for “integrity” has a picture meaning behind it. It means “without cracks.” Why would the Bible use the word picture that means “without cracks”? In those days, if a deceptive merchant had a vase that had some cracks in it, he would fill those cracks with wax and then paint over the outside like it was a perfect vase. Therefore, it had no integrity; it was damaged. So God is saying that real integrity is when you peel away the paint it’s still solid. There are no cracks.
The Lord is going to do the same thing. He’s going to reveal the reality of all our works. Some of you have done about everything that you’ve done in the church for yourself. These deeds will be revealed one day. The motives and intentions of our hearts will be exposed and there will be no argument. He will manifest the integrity of our works.
Paul is talking about ministers here primarily and has explained how the foundation he’s laid in the church is of sound doctrine. He didn’t peddle in philosophies and worldly wisdom. He didn’t follow the trends or the fads of the day to build a congregation. He gave them the truth of God. He and Apollos laid a foundation of “gold, silver, and precious stones.” Now he tells them that other ministers that come behind them need to make sure they build properly with quality materials and not with that which is “wood, hay, and stubble.”
This truth applies to all believers. God will test our works with fire. Do you know what happens when wood, hay, and stubble are exposed to fire? It goes up in flames! All our works that are done in worldly wisdom and with selfish motives will be exposed as such and burned up! However, materials like gold and silver are purified by the fire. They endure. That’s what God is going to do. He will expose. He will manifest that which has integrity as well as those works which were not genuine.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. – Philippians 3:20 Christ will return one day. But we are not looking for signs. No, you’ll just be driving along, or eating a...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt,...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” – Luke 15:2 The Pharisees are grumbling against Jesus because He received sinners. What an irony this is! The...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
“Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” And they did so. – Exodus 14:4 Listen, the goal...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
At the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, “Come; for everything is ready now.” But they all alike began to make excuses. – Luke 14:17-18 The invitation has been sent. Think about that phrase...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! – Galatians 1:9 I recently shopped at an outlet mall here in the United States. These malls have...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
And at the dinner hour he sent to his slave to say to those who had been invited, “Come, for everything is ready now.” – Luke 14:17 These were to come to the table that God had spread. They are to come to the food that He...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming. – Ephesians 4:14 One way Satan will use trickery and...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Say to them, “As I live!” declares the Lord God. “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
