Recently, while walking down the street of my hometown, I noticed this imprint on a number of concrete sidewalk slabs: “John H. Bollinger – Ephrata, PA” Knowing Brother Bollinger as a faithful member of the church I serve, and realizing that the concrete had been poured more than a quarter of a century before, I thought the uncracked surfaces of the concrete slabs were a befitting tribute to John’s good workmanship. The concrete was still being used every day, and had stood the test of time and hadn’t brought shame to Brother Bollinger, whose name and reputation were attached to it.
In similar fashion, everything we do as Christians bears our name. Our attitudes (whether healthy or malignant), our words (whether profitable or injurious), and our deeds (whether virtuous or base) tell something about us. These things really reflect whether or not we are genuinely Christian. If our attitudes, our words, and our deeds have stood the tests of time, someday we too shall receive praise and reward for our “workmanship.” On the other hand, our attitudes, our words, and our deeds may someday bring us the shame of regret and loss if we have not yielded them to the lordship of Jesus Christ and practiced them in everyday living. In relation to this, the Apostle Paul (in I Corinthians 3:13-15) offers a statement worthy of note:
“…the character of each one’s work will come to light, for the judgment day will show it up. This is so, because that day will show itself in fire, and the fire will test the character of each one’s work. If the structure which one builds upon it stands the test, he will get his pay. If the structure which one builds is burned up, he will get no pay!” (Williams Translation)
We should therefore be certain that our “workmanship” is the kind that will endure. Because quality is more important than quantity in the Lord’s work, the way to be sure we are building for eternity is to do “all things through Christ” who strengthens us. The “workmanship” that is worthy of reward is the work that endureth!
November/December 1983
