A Special Gift From My Dad

My dad graduated in 1935 from Chadsey High School in Detroit. As was very common for seniors, he chose a quote or saying to accompany his photo in the yearbook.

Since his death twenty five years ago, I’ve gone back to that yearbook from time to time. I love seeing my dad’s imprint before he began his family; before I knew him. But, it was just last week that a light switch turned on upon the words my dad chose to be connected to him.

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest.”

Hiding right before me, in plain sight, I realized that Anthony picked a Bible verse. Plucked from its full context I never did more than glance at his choice for words. I opened my Bible. There it was in 1 Corinthians 3:13.

“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.

My dad left a gift. I needed to pursue his offering.

To understand, I first had to settle the cacophony of thoughts I had after this discovery and study the text in context.

This verse is speaking to judgement; the Judgement Seat of Christ for believers to be precise. The quality of each person’s work – not whether they’re saved, but what they’ve built in their life for Christ -will be tested. The fire will expose what was truly valuable versus what was worthless. Now….thats justice!

Any self centered thing we do or say will actually be revealed, no matter how beautiful we made it appear. It will all go up in smoke after the unveiling. Can you visualize that?

On the other wonderful hand, all that we did or anything that came out of our mouths that was true to the foundation, which is Jesus, we will be rewarded. God sees not just what we do, but why and how we do it.

Our wisdom can’t trump that of God’s.   From the beginning, that has been the problem. “Hath God Really Said?” We can’t be like the serpent and expect no consequence. It may seem easy to fool people but not so much with God. He loves justice.

And, isn’t that an underlying thought for many? Why do people get away with not being true to what Jesus said? How can they pass off so much that is untrue to others as if it represents Him? 

God’s justice is not always immediate, but it is inevitable. Earthly courts may fail, but divine justice will not. Gods patience is meant to lead to repentance here. Sometimes what seems like injustice is actually mercy — a chance for repentance. But if it’s refused, God will not withhold judgment.

His delay is not injustice; it’s mercy. But make no mistake: His justice will come. Until then, keep doing right. Keep trusting Him. The story isn’t over, and God never forgets the faithful.

Crafty gossip cloaked in the robe of concern and righteousness, those who bear false witness, those proclaiming Jesus said something he did not say in order to fit a worldview, selfish motives, seekers of the praise of man over God, winkers to the wicked; these may sometimes be so subtle but they do not pass through unnoticed by God.

I love this teaching! I love this truth! In honor of my beloved dad, I will strive ever more diligently to stay true to Jesus.