Going for the Gold, Silver and ...

In the world of the Olympics, athletes are giving all they have to go for the gold, silver or bronze metal. Many spend almost an entire lifetime in training for an event that often lasts less than a minute. We honor their determination and marvel at their will to win.

What is it that we are striving for? The Apostle Paul said he was going for the Gold, Silver and Precious Stones. Precious Stones? Yes - In I Corinthians chapter 3, Paul is talking about building a house that will be tested by fire at the end of our life. He says we can build with two types of materials.

First, we can build on our foundation (our faith in Christ) with gold, silver and precious stones (vs 12). These materials are pure and cannot be improved upon by a refiner's fire.

Second, we can build on our foundation with wood, hay and straw. These materials are easily consumed by a fire. What is Paul trying to say about these two types of materials? The answer lies a few versus back where Paul talks about two options for the Christian.

In I Cor. 2: 15 he mentions "spiritual" people who are trusting God to change their lives. In I Cor. 3:1 he contrasts spiritual people with "fleshly" people - those who are trusting their own efforts to change. Paul knew that it was "God who causes the growth" (vs 7) and not ourselves. He remembered what Jesus said in John 15 - "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, hear bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing."

Everything we do in our life that is dependant upon God's grace is adding gold, silver and precious stones to our foundation. Everything we do in our life that we accomplish in our own strength is adding wood, hay and straw. "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 through fire." (vs 14.15)

As we walk in the Spirit, we are going for the gold, silver and precious stones. Let's not settle for anything else.

Scripture: Galations 5: 16 - "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh."

Action Point: Acknowledge your dependance upon God to accomplish His will today. Anything done in your own power is doomed to fail.

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