READING: 1 Corinthians 1-4
TEXTS AND APPLICATION: Here’s the basic question for me from today’s reading: how much of what I do in my life really has eternal significance? It seems I’m always busy. My calendar is often full with appointments before the day begins. My weekend speaking schedule is usually booked up several months in advance. I’m planning conferences deep into the next year. I’m learning, though, that activity does not always equate with eternal significance.
Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians, a congregation that was gifted but messy, called but divided, blessed but immature. The message of Jesus Christ was the foundation Paul laid for the congregation, but they didn’t always build well on that foundation. Listen to Paul’s admonition to them — and thus, to us as well:
1 Cor. 3:11-15 For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one’s work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one’s work. If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.
Even as believers, we will answer to God for the way we live (Rom. 14:10-12, 2 Cor. 5:10). Anything we do that has eternal significance will simply be purified in judgment; anything we do that has only temporary significance will be burned in judgment. Here’s where I’m reminded of what I wrote above: activity does not by itself carry eternal significance. It’s possible to be very busy as a believer while still building only a temporary structure on a sure foundation.
ACTION STEPS: On this Lord’s day, it’s probably easier to see what we do as eternally significant. Make a commitment to review your activities on Monday and Tuesday of this week, looking intently at whether they bear eternal weight. Consider the possibility that you might need to give up something of less significance to focus on weightier matters.
PRAYER: “Father, give me wisdom as I review my activities. Teach my how to balance my life focusing on eternity.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Corinthians 5-8