Four Questions

...no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid--that is, Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, each one's work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one's work. If anyone's work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire. – 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 HCSB

The sages like to use a fable to teach an important principle – that of accountability. They say that when you get to heaven you will be asked four important questions:

The first is “Did you live a life marked by integrity?” In other words, were your actions characterized by service or self-seeking interest? Did your actions agree with your words? Were you honest in your business dealings and scrupulous in your speech? A soul that has in fact been healed will be marked by careful obedience to the Lord God, doing what is right in His eyes, paying attention to His commands and keeping all His statutes.[1]

The second question is supposedly “Did you set aside time to study God’s Word?” It is impossible to live a life of a Ransomed One if you don’t know what righteousness is. The only way to know God’s requirements concerning salvation and right living are to study His love letter.[2]

According to the fable, the third question will be “Did you try to procreate?” They are not talking about having babies, though God surely does love children! They are talking about our attempts to lead others into a relationship with God. Being heavenly-minded and desirous of influencing others to love God is a hallmark of a Ransomed One. So we will be asked “Did you try to procreate? Did you try to replicate your love of God in the hearts of those with whom you came in contact? Did you infect others with reverence?” Like Paul[3], have you had spiritual children?

The last question will be “Did you hope for the world’s redemption?” Did you make God’s passion your own? Did you so identify with God that your will and His intertwined and became indivisible? God is not willing that any soul should die.[4] He longs to have everyone of His prodigals returned home, every sheep within the fold. Didn’t He command us, “Tell them: ‘As I live’ -the declaration of the Lord God- ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked person should turn from his way and live. Repent! Repent of your evil ways! Why will you die?”[5]

Four questions regarding integrity, study, evangelism and witness. I believe the Sages may be onto something for the Lord Himself focused on these very issues.[6] Four questions – how will you answer?

[1] Exodus 15:26
[2] 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:15-17
[3] 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Timothy 1:2
[4] 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9
[5] Ezekiel 33:11 HCSB
[6] Matthew 6:33