Grace Enough For The Fire

"According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw-each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

Where there are areas of your life that just don't seem to be bearing the fruit of sanctification, and you continually seek God in humility, then this is a season to recognize and embrace His heartbreaking gift of grace upon your life; the grace that made it possible for your redemption to God by the sacrifice of Jesus. It is paramount that the gift of grace be the foundation to your understanding of salvation, for this should remove any self confidence you may have, thinking that by your own efforts or goodness you play a part in it.

There is also a season for all things and the timing of these matters belongs to Him. Jesus even told the disciples that there were many things He wanted to tell them, but they weren't ready for them. So when the frailty of your flesh tends to have its way more than not, consider carefully; do you truly understand His grace enough to wait patiently for this foundational season to lay hold of your heart, that you may become purged and purified for the work He has assigned you? It is the Holy Spirit that guides the work that comes from the Father and it is this work that will receive a reward.

However, should you be repeatedly convicted on a matter by the Holy Spirit and never once authentically ask God to give you His character to replace your covetousness, you will ultimately find this matter addressed at the end of your days. Every conviction and challenge you refuse to meet with God on becomes your ash heap. Whatever is left after going through His refining fire will be the only part of you to enter into His presence.

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it, labor in vain."
(Psalm 127:1)

PJR

"Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him. For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be?" (Ecclesiastes 8:5-7)