On Judgment Day it will be evident what building materials were used to build each believer's house...each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is...I Cor. 3:13. This reference reveals the significance of our works - labor/service - that are accomplished by us, while we live on the earth.
Gold, silver, and precious stones are considered valuable assets by human beings. So the Apostle Paul used them metaphorically to describe a house that will not burn up, when he told believer's...if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones...he will receive a reward...I Cor. 3:12-14.
In my research of the Bible regarding the Wedding Garment, I found many scriptures that were pieces to the puzzle. When I put all the pieces together, the answer was clearly revealed. We already learned in the last blog that we must...lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys...Matt. 6:20. Treasures stored in Heaven must be incorruptible, otherwise they could not be stored there.
So I asked myself, "What do I now do on the earth that is incorruptible?" Incorruptible means: is not decayed - cannot be destroyed.
Do you remember when the Apostle Paul was speaking in the Areopagus he said, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising...Acts 17:29. Now I understand, that what I may consider valuable works or service to the Lord on the earth, may be of my own devising bringing glory to myself - having nothing in common with His Divine Nature.
In I Peter 1:1-12 the apostle describes how the obedience of Christ has reserved in Heaven an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance which will be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials...that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious that gold than perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ...verses 6-7.
So far we can see that one of our "treasures in Heaven" is our faith. For by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God....Eph. 2:8. Our first act of faith was to receive Jesus Christ and His promise of eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. We didn't see the promised Kingdom, but we believed...Heb. 11:1.
The Apostle Peter said that the genuineness of our faith will be tested by fire - meaning believer's must overcome the fiery trials and tribulations that dog our steps, during our earth journey of building our spiritual house, so the house we build will not burn up at the Great White Throne Judgment.
I understand how my faith is a "treasure in Heaven" because in order to be stored there, it had to overcome fiery trials on the earth, victoriously.
Jesus said regarding Satan...the thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy...John 10:10. Satan works relentlessly to rob us of our faith, because he knows that without faith it is impossible to please God...Heb. 11:6. The promises of God regarding His eternal Kingdom of Heaven - the invisible realm - can only be received by faith, so this is why Paul said...fight the good fight of faith...I Tim. 6:12.
One of the threads that will weave our Wedding Garment is faith that has been tested by fire and overcome victoriously - treasure in Heaven. I believe we are beginning to get the idea of how the Bible defines "virtuous works" on the earth, which are stored in Heaven as treasures. Virtuous works will only glorify God. If a believers' works glorify him at all, they are corrupt, so cannot be stored in Heaven as incorruptible treasures.
Why did Jesus ask the question...when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?...Matt. 18:8. Did His question ever cause you concern - it did me? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple will follow without question...
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