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Title: What's In Your Future
Date: Jul 29, 2010
Topic(s): Christian Living/Situational
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 16:27, Hebrews 9:27, Ephesians 6:5-8, 1 John 2:28, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, Romans 4:10, Philippians 2:14-15, Philippians 4:13, Revelation 20:11-15

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Benjamin Franklin said, "Only two things are sure in life: death and taxes." If I were to rewrite his statement, I'd add one more--judgment. No matter who you are, when death comes, judgment follows. For the unbeliever, it will be at the Great White Throne Judgment seen in Revelation 20:11-15. For the believer, it will be at the Bema (Judgment) Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10).

Let's look at one of the places in the Bible where the apostle Paul describes that future day for the believer.

What Does God Say?

"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 3:11-15, ESV).

• What foundation do we build our lives upon?
• What materials can we build with?
• How will this material be tested?
• What is the outcome of this test?

My Thoughts

Unbelievers will face a judgment that determines their eternal destiny. Believers will face a judgment that determines their eternal rewards. While there is nothing that an unbeliever can do to earn his or her way into heaven, there is much that a believer can do to make sure that his works stand the fires of God's judgment. Look at the following verses and indicate some of the ways you can "fireproof" your works:

• 1 John 2:28
• Philippians 2:14-15
• Ephesians 6:5-8

My Part

Paul says in Philippians 4:13 (ESV), "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Every thing that you do in your power will be burned up; only those things which are done through Christ's power will survive. This week, ask God to make you conscious of when you are operating in His power and when you are doing His work in your power.

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