1 Corinthians 3:12-13 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
“We will be tested and proved.”
ISO 9000 refers to international standards for quality management systems (QMS) developed by the International Organization for Standardization. These standards ensure that the products and services of an organization are consistent, reliable, customer-focused and continually improving. Organizations adopt these standards to improve quality control, increase customer trust, minimize errors and waste and to compete in international business.
As ISO 9000 enlists the QMS for an organization to excel, the Bible solicits the divine QMS to shine spiritually. The Apostle Paul teaches us a profound truth that all our efforts and hard work will one day be tested by fire. Authenticity and ingenuity will shine as gold, silver and costly stones but arrogance and selfish ambitions will burn down as wood, hay and straw. While the world witnesses “what we do”, heaven registered “why we do it”.
There was a man named Simon who practiced sorcery in Samaria. He amazed, influenced and spiritually manipulated the people with his magic arts and boasted to be someone great. Philip, the Evangelist preached the gospel in Samaria, Simon accepted Jesus and was baptized but his crafty heart was only after power, popularity and pomp. Later when Simon witnessed the Apostles Peter and John laying hands on the people and anointing them with the power of the Holy Spirit, he offered them money to receive the gift of laying hands and imparting the power of God! (Acts 8:18-19). Peter rebuked him sternly as his heart was full of bitterness and enslaved to sin.
The spiritual ISO 9000 QMS will determine the authenticity of our desires, service and generosity.
Spiritual ISO 9000:
- Popularity: Action or inaction to gain popularity is merely a foundation of hay and straw.
- Power: God’s grace empowers us – not our serving or giving.
- Pride: Pride will burn like combustible wood on the day of judgement.
“The intention of the action or inaction are weighty in the spiritual realm.”
Prayer: Father God, give me the wisdom to weigh my actions and words with the spiritual QMS standards. Amen.
Leave a Reply