Trial by Fire

Passage: 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Over the past several weeks lighting strikes have ignited wildfires across the American Southwest.  These fires have incinerated acres of brush and woods that had turned into tinder after weeks without rain.  And the advancing walls of fire have struck fear into the hearts of all those whose homes and communities lay in their paths.  If the fire comes, what will survive?

Throughout the New Testament, fire is used as a metaphor. Typically, Christians see it as a metaphor for God’s judgment – God is going to use fire to rid the world of evil; and evildoers can look forward to an eternity in the fires of hell.  If you read the New Testament references to fire more carefully, however, you discover a much more nuanced picture of God’s work in our world and God’s ultimate purposes.

For example, the Apostle Paul talks about fire not as an agent of God’s punishment but rather of purification.  He says,

…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. 

Here Paul refers to “The Day of the Lord”, discussed by the prophets in the Old Testament and by Jesus Christ in the New – the day when God shows up in person and finally restores all things to the way they were meant to be. The Day of the Lord is good news for all those who have grown disenchanted with the brokenness and injustices of the world, and the suffering of all its inhabitants.  In fact, during his earthly life and ministry, Jesus invites his followers to stop living for the moment, and live instead in the hope of his return.  To live not for the flammable things of this world, but to live for his eternal kingdom.This is what Paul’s talking about when he says, “Build your life on the foundation of Jesus Christ.  If you build on anything else, your life’s work will disappear in the end – as though it was consumed by fire.” 

Almost as an afterthought, Paul adds this:

If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

This is a hopeful note for those of us who are unsure whether we’ve invested in the world or the Kingdom of God. In the end the fire of God’s presence will reveal what lasts and what doesn’t.  But even if your life’s work is consumed – even if it turns out you’ve spent your life building stuff that won’t last – you yourself can withstand the fire.  Make no mistake – everything and everyone on earth will pass through the refiner’s fire at the end of time.  But if you have found your life in Jesus Christ, and placed your life in his hands, you will pass into glory.  The reason for it is this: your life’s work isn’t God’s primary concern.  You are.  All the time you’ve been investing in your home, your portfolio, your career, God has been investing in you.  Build on the foundation of Jesus Christ.  Invite his Spirit to renovate your heart.  Partner with God as he makes you his eternal project – built to withstand the fire.