THE ACID TEST OF FIRE

THE ACID TEST OF FIRE

"Sooner or later we’ll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad. That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It’s no light thing to know that we’ll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That’s why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God." 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 (MSG)

During the famous California Gold Rush, the people who were searching for gold had a way of finding out if the metals they found were indeed gold and not some inferior base metal. One simple and quick test used to affirm that the metal was indeed gold, was the Acid Test. If the metal fizzed and showed corrosion after acid is applied on it, then, the metal is not pure, genuine gold and is likely made of less precious base metals like iron, copper, nickel and zinc. 

There are two categories of Christians in the kingdom today - " The Gold believers" and " The Base Metal believers". The former serves God with right motives while the later do for selfish/ulterior motives. Base metals can be decorated and repackaged with  expensive dresses, nice hats and make ups in order to deceive everyone on earth, but God cannot be fooled. No matter how a base metal is 'panel beated' or refurbished with stunning charisma and eloquent grammar, it can never be classified as gold in the sight of God. Yes, God cannot be fooled.  

"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  3:13 -15 (KJV)

According to 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, there will an acid test of fire at the Judgment Seat of Christ to ascertain whether the works and deeds of true believers is "a gold" or "a base metal". The test will disclose whether a believer deserves to be honoured or rewarded for his/her labour or works on earth. What a day that will be! Unfortunately, this test may not turn out the way many people would have expected. Yes, there may be some surprises on that day. Some of the great exploits that make newspapers headline here on earth may not even pass God's acid test of fire in heaven. Many outstanding achievements people display or flaunt around may go up in flame when the acid test of fire is applied. The ulterior motives behind those so called excellent results obtained for God by many believers may finally be uncovered and condemned. Many skyscrapers erected in the name of God may eventually fall like pack of cards and go up in flames when the acid test of fire is conducted.  Just like in the California Gold Rush days, God will only reward "The Gold Believers" whose works and deeds passes the test of fire. The base metal believers will be exposed and embarrassed as they watch the smoke of their inferior works and bad deeds on earth rise into the sky. What a day that will be!

 "Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God." 1 Corinthians 4:5

Friends, don't you think it is rather too early to boast about your achievements on earth, because we have not reached the golden shore where the acid test of fire will be conducted. Don't you know that judging others peoples works and castigate them blindly here on on earth is a grave blunder. Don't you think that bragging and raising your shoulders about your exploits in the kingdom now is really not necessary as God will still need to subject your works to the acid test of fire. Don't you know that trying to impress people here is a pointless effort since man's recommendation is not part of the evaluation criteria on the Judgment Seat of Christ.    

Beloved, if your works and deeds are subjected to the acid test of fire today, what will be the result? Will your works survive the acid test of fire? Are you going to be honoured or embarrassed on that day?  Are you serving God with the right motives or with ulterior motives?  Are you a gold believer or base metal believer? Please examine yourself and make your way right with God as you meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn below.

WHAT COMFORT I COULD FEEL ANON By Watchman Nee (1903-1972)

If I would only stray a bit,
Then ease my lot would be;
But I recall how Christ my Lord
Did suffer faithfully.

The world I have forever left
And severed all its ties;
The way may yet more narrow grow
And all against me rise.

But though the worldlings glare in rage;
I seek His smiling face.
Though outward glory others choose,
I, His “well done” through grace.

My heart’s desire is not for fame
Nor profit in these days;
I humbly wish to serve my Lord
And gain that day His praise.

Unto the judgment seat of Christ
I daily look away;
May all my living and my work
Abide the fire that day.

You may your reputation hold,
Wealth, friends, and glory gain;
You may win all success and praise,
A following great obtain.

But I would be but lonely, poor,
With no prosperity;
My heart desires to follow Him
And finish faithfully.

My Lord, when here on earth, I know,
Gained nothing but the cross.
I only hope to be like Him
And for Him suffer loss.

My glory’s in the coming age,
Today I’ll patient be.
I’d ne’er enjoy ahead of Him
This world’s prosperity.

That day I shall receive the crown,
He’ll wipe away my tears.
So faithfully I’ll journey on
Till He at length appears.

My prayer for you and my humble self is that God's grace will uphold us till we reached the Golden Shore undefiled. And when we appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ, all our works shall survive the acid test of fire and we shall be decorated with many crowns on that glorious day in Jesus name. Amen. 

Please join us at the Garden of Prayers for our Prophetic Sunday Services and Night of Evidence tagged "Glorious Evidence" on Sunday September 15 & 22nd, and Friday 20th 2019. Venue: RCCG, Kingdom Life Parish, 109, Shasha Road, Abati Bustop. Egbeda, Lagos. Nigeria. Time: 8am. 

Good morning and God bless you.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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