We must all do what we do by the grace of God! The Apostle Paul said, “But by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NKJV). We,
too, must be what God wants us to be by His grace.
In First Corinthians 3:10-13, Paul reveals the importance of this truth:
“According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take
heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation
with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 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” (NKJV).
The work the Lord gave Paul to accomplish was built according to the grace that was given to him. In the same way, we must take heed how we build. So we
must seriously consider the goals we are presently trying to accomplish in life. Are we pursuing those goals according to grace,
or according our own ideas and fleshly desires?
It is not only what we do, but how we do it that is important. God considers only what is done by His grace to be gold or silver. All else is dead works
that will not survive the fiery trials that come in life.
If we are relying on God’s grace, our work in the Kingdom of God will
remain fruitful even in the times of tests and trials. And in the end, we won’t find ourselves looking back in regret as many do. People who allow
personal ambition to be their motivating force rather than the Holy Spirit will one day realize that all their work has actually accomplished nothing.
When the devil’s attacks come, we will find out how well we have been building in the Kingdom of God.
Many Christians are so dismayed when fiery trials come to try them that they immediately run for shelter. Others are not moved by the storms of life. They
know that even though setbacks may come, those setbacks are only temporary. They know although storms may blow in, they will blow out again.
If our foundation is built by the grace of God, we will be standing when the storm is over. First John 5:4 will define your life in every situation:
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world ─ our faith” (NKJV).
Notice what this verse says. Not only are we able to overcome, but whatever God has caused to be born in our hearts can overcome as well! Whatever is born
of God can conquer in the same way that whoever is born of God can do so! The key is this: Whatever is done must be done according to grace.
