Abide part 2: What Are You Building?

“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (John 15:2)

We are in a decisive time in earth’s history.  The scenes of earth are drawing to a close.  Now, more than ever, is the time to build our character aright before God, because the test ahead will not be easy. 

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

Gold, silver, and precious stones represents the character traits spurred by love.  Wood, hay, and stubble represents the character traits spurred from self.  In the end, the wood, hay, and stubble will be burnt up, and the gold, silver, and precious stones will be purified and will shine through eternity. 

Fire represents trials that purge the dross from our characters.  “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:7). 

Trials reveal the hidden traits of the heart.  Those that have cultivated faith, love, self-denial, self-control, and patience will stand through to the end.  When trials beset them, they will look to Christ, and endure in His strength.  Those who have not cultivated these traits will either fall away or be saved “so as by fire”, as firebrands plucked from the burning. 

So what is the solution?  How can we cultivate gold, silver, and precious stones in our characters?  Mrs. White once wrote to the youth, “If you will give yourself fully to Jesus He will create in you an intense desire for the friendship of God, and you will have deep longings to reflect the goodness and the love of Jesus in your life and character to your family and to those who know not the love of God. By cultivating patience, meekness, forbearance, by showing respect and rendering obedience to your father and mother as it is fit in the Lord, you will be giving testimony in your everyday life that the truth has power to sanctify the character." {4MR 194.3} 

Fix your gaze on Christ!  

~Lilienne Stafford