We all know that there is only one way to Heaven and that is through Jesus. He is the way. He is the door into Heaven and there is no other. We can only come through His precious blood that was shed for us upon the cross of Calvary.
However, I see in God’s Word that there are two ways that we can be received into Heaven. 2 Peter 1:11 tells us about those who will be received “ABUNDANTLY into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Wouldn’t it be amazing to be welcomed like that? To have a triumphant entrance. This entrance is for those who diligently keep walking in the ways of God, adding to their faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
But we also read of another scenario in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. This passage tells us that all our works will be tried by fire. Only the works that stand the test of fire will abide. Verse 13 says: “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.”
When gold is purified, it is heated to the hottest temperature when they scoop off all the scum that arises to the top. They heat it again and more scum comes to the top. They often heat it seven times for it to become totally pure.
Verse 14 tells us that if our works abide the fire, we will receive a reward. All that is “wood, hay, and stubble” will be burned up. Those whose works are burned up will be saved “yet so as by fire” (verse 15). It’s the picture of a burning house. The person gets out in time and is saved from burning alive but everything he or she has accumulated in the home is gone! This person gets into Heaven if they have trusted in Jesus for their salvation, but they will take nothing with them. They get in by “the skin of their teeth.”
Dear precious mother, I want you to know that as you embrace with joy your high calling of motherhood and pour your life into mothering, nurturing, training, and teaching your children that you are doing a work that will abide the teste of fire. God has given you these children. He has given them to you to prepare for His eternal kingdom and therefore you are doing His work.
Our greatest parental vision is to prepare our children for Heaven. As you lead your children to Jesus will you take them with you into the glory of Heaven. As you pour your life into your God-given career, your work will come forth as gold. And you will receive an abundant entrance.
Keep your heavenly vision before you as you mother your children in your home.
Many blessings,
Nancy Campbell